I, Necromancer Chapter 11

A.N. The next chapter will still be in the Five Chapters ahead category, as i'll release a public chapter announcing the chapters ahead on Patreon. After Chapter 12, i'll focus on writing six chapters of I, Draugr before coming back to this.

Thank you all for the support and patience!

Michael sighs softly through his nostrils, his hands moving through the stacks of papers set down before him.

Things were growing more and more chaotic due to the disastrous scuffle between the Dream and the Infinity. The Dimensional Gap kept bleeding into the Underworld, causing untold amounts of destruction and death.

Many saw it as an opportunity to gain riches, but few realized that the Underworld was doomed for.

His bright eyes move to yet another report from Raphael. Another of her analysis on Gates, and their growing frequency.

Ultimate Class Gates were becoming more common with each passing ear. Maou Class Gates were starting to appear several times each year now.

High Class Gates were now uncountable, while Low Class Gates were becoming rarer, favoring the more powerful types.

Another decade, and maybe Maou Class Gates would appear several times a month, and then…

Then Heavenly Dragon Class Gates.

The hand gripping the paper tightens and trembles momentarily before Michael schools his emotions. He couldn't afford to let his emotions go out of control, not during this time.

Luckily, Earth was safe from the Gates. Even as they become more common and powerful in the Underworld, a Gate appearing on Earth remains as rare as ever.

His gaze moves to other reports, where Angels assisted other factions with their Healing Magic, making sure to keep casualties on the low. It was the best they could do, mostly because Michael refused to lose anymore brothers and sisters while he still couldn't create more.

Their numbers were low – in the tens of thousands sort of low – and he still couldn't work the Holy System as well as his Father used to. Michael knows it isn't his Father's fault, for He knew he wouldn't always be around, so he made sure the System could be used by his strongest children.

Yet, Michael kept failing. He could answer prayers, make sure the Devils were still weak to all things Holy and to His name, and somewhat keep an eye on the Sacred Gear System. But the efficiency was lackluster.

His eyes move, reading through lines of words, keeping himself informed of all new recent and important events currently going down or that have already happened.

The Hindu had another internal scuffle due to Indra and his atrocious personality, and his constant desire to try and tame a powerful beast from beyond the Dimensional Gate.

His method? Draw a massive horde to his Faction's borders and wait to find a good new 'pet'. It always fails, bringing with it great losses and more internal problems among his faction.

The God was obtuse, still trying to succeed where many others failed. It was already proven that any creature that comes through the Gates goes insane, their mind broken due to the natural rejection of the World they were trying to invade.

This wasn't their Reality, hence it… Fought back, for a lack of better word. The beasts would go insane, but retain a modicum of their instincts.

Some would still show fear, but the majority would usually fight madly until they are dead.

Michael moves to another paper, and couldn't help but snort.

A Maou Class Gate opened in the middle of the Norse Faction's main hall, where they all drank and celebrated their victories.

A Horde Type Gate, which lasted a whole week. Apparently the Norse somehow ran out of alcohol halfway through the waves and took the anger out on the beasts.

It went from them having a fun fight to them using the monsters as a punching bag because they couldn't get more drunk than they already were.

…And they were also fighting themselves while at it?

Michael holds back another snort and sighs deeply, an amused smile on his lips as he sets the paper aside.

The next paper wasn't as pleasant, unfortunately. The Greeks did as Greeks do and had another spat with Hades, mostly because of Zeus, to no one's surprise.

Zeus demanded Hades hand over more land so that more of their Gods could descend and place their temples down within the Underworld, thus also giving their Demigods a better place to worship them.

Hades refused, and the two had a scuffle, which ended with Zeus being horribly defeated, severely arrogant and like always, refusing to admit that Hades was perhaps the strongest God of Death around and far beyond Zeus current level of strength.

Without the levels of worship and Faith they used to have in their Golden Age, Zeus and other Greek Gods had grown incredibly weak, not even having half of their previous strength.

The only one that avoided that was Hades due to being a God of Death, who draws strength from it. As long as people died, he would never grow weaker.

A knock on the door makes Michael perk up, and he looks up at the door just as it opens, and in walks a tall curvaceous beauty with long light brown hair, jade green eyes behind a pair of small glasses, and a white dress covering her figure.

"Did something come up, Raphael?" Michael asks his sister with a smile as the ever serious woman nods and fixes her glasses.

"It seems the Chinese Faction finally dealt with the Eternal Forest." The Great Seraph states, placing down a small bundle of papers before him.

Michael's eyes widen in surprise at that, "They did? I'm glad." He knows well how much of a thorn in their side that massive forest had become to the Chinese Faction, and the only reason the Chinese Faction had refused their assistance was because the Eternal Forest would take over and devour any struck victim from the inside out.

There wasn't much Healing Magic could do to fight against that, and Michael had always been left with a bad taste in his mouth each time he received word of their failed expeditions.

He picks up the paper and quickly reads through it, his eyes widening once more when he realizes that they had received help from a recent Devil of Interest that had entered their radar recently.

Fleurdelys Leviathan, daughter of the Original Leviathan, one of their closest and strongest mortal enemies during the Great War.

Her, her Peerage, and her army moved to assist the Chinese Faction against the Eternal Forest, giving up their share of fertile soil just to forge an alliance and gain access to No Man's Land.

The Archangel reads through the report of the battle. How they fooled the forest into focusing on the wrong target, how they kept the beast horde at bay at the same time, and how the real Boss of the Superimposition Gate was a strange Dragon that was connected to the very forest.

"It was incubating an egg to raise a child…" He muses to himself, before looking up at Raphael, "We've never seen monsters from beyond the Dimensional Gap reproduce, have we?"

Raphael shakes her head, "Only monsters from Superimposition Gates can still somewhat do it. Either because of the eggs that come with them, or because it is part of their fighting style."

Yet, this strange Plant Dragon had focused most of its efforts in incubating its child. When they both died, they withered and turned into decayed plant matter.

"What a strange life form…" He shakes his head, then moves to the last page. An envelope falls on his desk as he does so, making him raise a brow and glance at Raphael.

The woman crosses her arms below her chest, gaze as serious as ever, "The letter just arrived." She states simply as Michael lifts the envelope and turns it.

Upon it, a familiar crest lays, holding the envelope closed. The crest of the Leviathan House.

His magic flows through the Spell woven into the paper, checking it for curses or any form of poison before he opens it, the seal coming undone with a touch of his Holy Light.

A scented paper is pulled out, the writing on it exquisite and gentle. But also painfully familiar, enough so that it evokes a pang of pain from the deepest depths of Michael's heart.

This was Helel's handwriting.

"Dear Lord Michael, I write this letter to you without an ounce of anger or animosity within my body, heart and Soul."

"The Great War has taken much from us, and while I was asleep, the Civil War erased the rest of all I had. And when I woke up I saw a Devil Race on the verge of collapse, and divided into gangs of fools that do not wish to keep our Race alive for the rest of the century."

Michael wets his lips and leans back on his chair, holding the scented paper with both hands as he keeps reading, "I seek peace within my Race. Peace with yours. Not the fragile and foolishly unstable one the New Satans may promise you, for they cannot even handle their internal problems."

"But one where I can make those discarded, poor Devils forgotten by all and overworked by the Nobility smile once more. Live with hopes of a brighter future."

"Alas, these are plans for the future, when my position is far more stable. The main reason behind this letter is a request for a meeting. You may decide the time and place, and I shall be there, accompanies only by my Queen."

"Forgive me for not disclosing the reason behind such a request. It is best kept quiet. But I promise you this; You will not regret it."

Slowly, he folds the letter after seeing her signature at the end, the scent of sea-water lingering upon the paper and even the ink used to write on it.

He offers the letter to Raphael, who swiftly reads through it with a critical eye, "What do you think?" He asks after a bit, seeking her opinion on the matter.

"She wrote words that I've wanted to relay to you countless times." Raphael sniffs, folding the letter and placing it down on the desk, "The peace you are working for with the New Satans and Grigori is fragile. Shaky. Built on empty trust and easily taken advantage off."

The glasses-wearing Seraph keeps going, voice soft yet merciless, "One terrorist attack is all it takes to reignite the hate and anger within those who do not view this peace favorably."

"The Grigori are divided. The Devils are divided. This peace will be a broken vase held together by tape and hope."

Michael sighs softly under his breath. He knows this very well. He knows that this 'Peace' will be just a way for them to openly share things with each other before a disaster forces them apart once more.

In the end, it'll still be like this Cold War state. Each side glaring at each other and waiting for the other to raise their hands first so they can claim righteous defense.

It wasn't going to end well. They would have to each give one too many concessions to the other each time an issue arises, and that would only increase dissatisfaction within their respective Factions when actions aren't taken in retaliation of certain acts.

Shaking away those thoughts, Michael leans forward, "What about the rest?"

The request for the meeting. Needless to say that he was intrigued, and not worried this would be some form of retaliation by the Leviathan scion when she gave them the option to choose the time and place, thus prepare beforehand as much as they wanted.

Raphael hums and scrunches her beautiful face in thought, "She must be sure of what she wants to offer to us. As for what it is…" The woman goes quiet, and Michael hums.

He rummages through his mind, but finds nothing that Fleurdelys may have that could interest them.

...Unless it wasn't something she herself had, but someone from her Peerage.

"Her Necromancer." Raphael speaks up, eyes wide.

Michael blinks, "What of him?" He had heard of the young man, former human turned Reincarnated Devil, the first one Fleurdelys recruited in fact.

A powerful Necromancer that did not enslave Souls and with a unique way of using corpses. That actually earned the young man a favorable impression from quite a few Seraphims and Great Seraphs, even from Michael himself.

The young man could easily lower the amount of casualties during battles against Gates by his lonesome, after all.

"There is a Sacred Gear…" The glasses-wearing beauty starts, "A Longinus, in fact… That has control over Life and Death. One we haven't seen in centuries."

Michael's mouth instantly goes dry at the thought.

The Sephiroth Graal, the cup that held the blood of Christ. The very Principles of Life and Death flowed around the cup, granting one a dominion over Life, Death and Souls that even a God of Death would be hard-pressed to match.

"Go gather the others." Michael requests as he glances at the letter.

"I believe we have something important to discuss."

~~XXX~~

After being part of a Peerage for a while, I slowly worked a schedule where I'd take my time to check on my comrades.

Though, for most of the time, this schedule was easy to keep up as the other two members would linger around me most of the time.

Zani was easy to check up on, as she'd either nap while around me, or in her room, or in the couch in the living room of our mansion. Though most of the time she'd be around me, having sort of taken up a job as my personal bodyguard, even with all the Undead I have around.

Fleurdelys is much the same, as when she isn't checking over letters or tending to other matters, she'd be around me while reading a book, or using her new phone to catch up on the history she missed.

Changli though was different. She focused deeply into her studies to the point I had to visit her and force her to take breaks, earning me adorable pouts and tired whines.

So as I enter her large room set for Alchemy and power through the powerful blast of fragrance that pushes past me, I am not… Very surprised when I find her laying star-fish style on the ground in front of her rumbling Pill Furnace.

I am, though, very surprised a the literal mountain of glowing white-pink Pills behind said Furnace.

Approaching the downed woman, I give her an amused look and raise of my brow as she just stares blankly at the ceiling, "Contemplating the meaning of the Universe, are we?"

Changli lets out another of her adorable whines as she childishly kicks her legs and hammers her fists on the ground, "Just suffering from success!" She grumbles out, sitting up and throwing a smoldering look towards the massive pile of Pills she likely refined in no time at all.

The fragrance that comes from them is overpowering, but also quite refreshing. It smells like… Plum blossoms? "I presume this is the Plum Blossom Pill you mentioned?" The pink-haired beauty nods, another grumble leaving her lips beneath her breath.

"Yes and no." The other brow joins my first one, "Plum Blossom Pills have a superior version to them called Radiant Blossom Pills…" Slowly, I turn to regard the mountain of Pills.

Of very, very radiant Pills.

"I presume those are…"

"All Radiant Blossom Pills. Yes." Changli huffs out and flops on her back once more, scorching flames flapping out of her hair in the form of flaming feathers that disappear after a moment.

I hum and cup my chin in interest, approaching the mountain to withdraw one of the Pills. It feels very cool to the touch, but also slightly sticky, as if I am holding a piece of candy. "What's the difference between them?"

Changli sighs softly, "Radiant Blossom Pills are basically one-hundred Plum Blossom Pills concentrated in one. Just with a far more pure energy within them."

Huh, damn… "And this is bad because…?"

She shrugs, "It's not really bad, more like… It'll take a lot more hard-work to digest these Pills." She sighs out, sitting back up and smoothing out her long hair, "While it has enormous benefits, they take time to be earned. I'm just worried the soldiers will be demoralized when they don't see immediate gains."

Ah, I understand her worries now. "They used to be mercenaries risking their lives even for just a single meal, so I doubt they'll complain about this." I muse aloud, giving her an encouraging smile as I do so.

Plus, they already work and train so hard, which I doubt Changli has seen since they have been on a break to rest and celebrate with their families after the Eternal Forest raid.

"Just trust in them. I'm sure they'll surprise you." She holds my gaze for a few seconds before slumping.

"You're right. I've probably worried over nothing." I offer her a hand, and she elegantly takes it and rises, smoothing out her robes once she does so.

"Is there a reason they came out so much more powerful than you intended?" I question, nodding towards the mountain of glowing Pills.

Changli hums, releasing my hand as she does so, "The two available Cultivation Paths differ in one thing. One focuses on quantity and density, the other focuses on pure energy and pure body."

"The first is meant to help one basically reach a form of Godhood by ascending through wisdom and stuff like that. The second instead is best known as the 'Way of the Ascetic', focused on granting longevity, a powerful body that doesn't age, and mastering all their body has to offer."

So the first one is basically the Xianxia part, with all the Cultivation Realms and stuff, while the other is the Wuxia part, focused on techniques and mastery of the body.

"I presume you practice the first one, then?" I ask, and Changli nods.

"It is the best path to follow for one who wishes to learn Alchemy, as it requires an immense amount of Qi to fuel the furnace and go through the Refinement process." She states, then tilts her head, "Though there is also the so called Mortal Pill Refinement."

"Those who follow the second Cultivation Path can still refine Pills, they just tend to do so with a lot less ingredients and with less powerful effects."

The Chinese Faction is really so fascinating. They have so many things, so many different paths to walk and explore, so many refined techniques. No wonder they are among the wealthiest Factions, if not the wealthiest.

"Honestly, having the army build up their Inner Strength instead of going through Cultivation Realms is much better." I tilt my head at Changli's words, so she explains further, "Those who practice and train their Inner Strength can heal themselves by using that pure energy. Same with dealing with poisons and stuff."

"They at most use Alchemy to support a very talented disciple a few times, but they always make sure to not rely on Alchemy, just pure hard-work." So once our army gets started using these improved and powerful Pills that Changli has made, they should be able to do everything else by themselves.

No real Cultivation Manual, just a basic understanding on how to train it, and then they are set. This can easily become a power multiplier that puts our army on a whole different level.

"Man, I am glad we have you here now. Your knowledge is really a godsend." I sigh out, knowing quite well that gear alone won't be enough to give our army the real boost it needs.

They train hard, that is true, but I am sure that they'll grow stronger while fighting against powerful Gates and surviving dangerous situations.

By having Qi – or Inner Strength – with them, they can survive tougher situations, have a greater edge in battle, but also have greater assurance for when Rhapthorne is not around.

Plus, the stronger they are, the more effective his buffs are, and any rough training they go through that leaved them battered and broken can always be easily fixed up by his healing Spells.

Already the majority are getting their asses beaten black and blue by Lu Bu, who isn't even using his Touki and halberd, just his pure and natural physical might.

Changli giggles softly at my words and throws a sly look towards me, "Oh? Wouldn't you want Miss Yi Xuan around instead of me?" I visibly shudder at that, making her cover her mouth with one hand as her giggles flow forth.

"Please, I'd rather not be treated like a nice piece of meat…" That's not true. I'd welcome it, honestly. But I'd rather keep my pride, so…

"Aren't you being treated like one right now though?" She points out with an amused twinkle in her eyes, making my brows twitch.

"I plead the Fifth."

"We are not in America!" She laughs and slaps my shoulders, but I maintain my vow of silence on that matter.

Huffing playfully, Changli shakes her head and stands in front of me, then places a hand on my chest, "Go ahead, take the Radiant Blossom Pill." She encourages with a wink, making me glance at the glowing Pill still in my hold.

With a shrug, I toss it inside my mouth, and it melts instantly before I can even chew or properly feel it on my tongue.

A wonderful fragrance washes over my mouth, nostrils and down my throat, and I draw in a long and deep breath – It feels like I've always breathed air wrong, yet now I am doing it right, feeling my lungs swell with rich oxygen and my body pulse with energy.

The cool energy washes through my whole body, raising goosebumps and sending a shudder down my spine. I feel it go through each organ, each muscle, each bone, down to the very marrow.

Then I feel a warmth come from Changli, a reddish-orange radiance coming from the palm resting against my chest, acting as a guiding light for all the energy washing around my body.

Soon, the energy was divided in three, and each clump was moved to three different spots. The middle of my brows, the middle of my chest, and then my belly.

The Upper, Middle and Lower Dantians, if I remember right from the novels I used to read.

The energy gathers and condenses in those locations, and I feel a small prick of pain flash through them the moment it happens, "This will hurt a little bit, sorry…" Changli whispers, but I just nod.

The pain is strong, but flashes by quickly, and I soon feel the clumps of energy flow into… Something, as if they had to force themselves in. As the pain disappears, I shudder as I feel my skin crawl, and a bad stench slowly fill my nostrils.

I look down and raise an arm, grimacing at the black sticky grime that had seeped into my shirt and staining it badly. "Ew…"

Changli pulls back with a light laugh, "Yes, cleansing the body of impurities is always a pain, but you'll soon start to feel a lot better. And stronger too."

I do feel like as if I've been dropped in a tub full of cold water, but the feeling is slowly fading away. I can also feel Qi now, which is… Weird, but I'll focus on it later.

First, a shower. "Thank you for this, Changli." I tell her honestly, and she locks up like a cat getting caught doing bad things when I give her a dangerous smile. "Here, let me hug you as thanks!"

I wrap my arms around her before she could process my words, and I am nearly deafened by her horrified screech when she realizes what I just did to her.

That's for not warning me, woman!

"You bad, bad man! How could you?!" Her screeches and cries are drowned out by my cackles as I take my leave, thoroughly satisfied by my glorious revenge.

Ah, bullying a cutie is always satisfying.

Now, to focus on something more important…

[You have acquired a New Skill!]

[Inner Strength – Corpse Qi]

Due to the Necrotic Energies overflowing your body, your Qi was naturally influenced and mutated into the corrosive and deadly Corpse Qi, known to be wielded by Jiangshi.

When infused in a corpse, it massively strengthens and mutates them, granting them tougher and mightier bodies.

When concentrated and condensed in high quantities, Corpse Qi can forge a Corpse Core – or Jiangshi Core – that slowly strengthens the Undead, and giving their blow a powerful corrosive nature.

I raise my hand, watching the tips of my fingers become black and release greenish-black smoke from them. Corpse Qi, but not the toxic kind that Yi Xuan mentioned.

While inside my body, this Corpse Qi isn't toxic, mostly because I am not a Corpse. I'd say it is still normal Qi until it leaves my body, then gains its toxic properties.

I'll have to put this to use on Lu Bu, see if I can slowly grant him a Corpse Core. This endeavor should also help me learn how to properly wield my Qi, and see how much better my Grafting and Fleshcrafting becomes once I learn to weave it into them.

Now I am quite excited, I'll admit that.

~~XXX~~

Zani felt like her King truly saddled her with an insurmountable task… Or that was just what her natural laziness told her.

She'd much rather nap – or ride Scaith for a couple of hours – than babysit some children still wet behind the ears.

A sonic-boom blooms forth as a figure is smashed through the earth and a large hill, causing it all to burst apart and send debris and smoke flying in all directions.

The young Knight of the Gremory Heiress rolls to a stop after nearly two hundred meters, broken and battered beyond belief after just one kick from Lu Bu.

Not that the injuries persist, as the giant meatball in the sky swiftly heals him.

A small figure rushes in through the cover of dust, one small fist swinging towards Lu Bu's lower belly with enough power to demolish a whole building – But the giant blocked it with his free palm, burning greenish-red eyes not even staring at the small white-haired girl.

The Undead's hand clasps around Koneko's small fist, grips it tightly enough that bones break, before he bodily and effortlessly lifts her in the air… Before smashing her back down, over and over again, before tossing her aside like a used wet rag.

Zani sighs at the depressive sight, but she couldn't really fault them for the poor showing. Each of them never truly fought with their life on the line, or if they had, it was against an opponent that couldn't truly threaten them.

According to Rias, they did take part in handling some Gates that appear within the vast Gremory lands, but it wasn't as effective as the dangerous fights the Mercenaries experience.

Rias and Akeno are ranged, magical fighters. Yuuto and Koneko are the physical attackers, yet during those Gate fights they likely had the backing of a massive army ordered to keep them safe.

They were coddled. Protected. Sheltered. They didn't experience the horrid pain of a beast's serrated teeth latching onto their flash and biting down to the bone, refusing to let go even in death.

They didn't experience the horror of cutting down one beast, and looking up to see a hundred more coming at them.

They didn't experience the horrid feeling of uselessness that a second or third wave of monsters inflicts upon tired individuals believing they have fought for entire hours… Yet only a few minutes went by.

That was the main problem with them. They did not have experience, simple as that.

A clap of thunder pulls Zani out of her thoughts, a blinding flash covering the ruptured valley as a blade of golden lightning hacks down towards Lu Bu mercilessly.

'Took her too long to cast.' Zani muses, watching as Lu Bu stands tall… Then snorts.

The sound-wave tears the Spell to shreds, leaving the floating Miko Priestess gaping, and unable to react when the giant leaps into the skies with a single stomp.

He flies past Akeno with a rush of wind, free hand latching on her ponytail and roughly yanking her down the skies before launching her down to the earth like a meteorite.

Another hill sinks from the impact, creating a massive crater that grows in scope when Lu Bu crash-lands on it himself, landing foot first on Akeno's stomach and smashing her deeper into the earth.

Yet he wasn't done with her yet. His foot quickly leaves her badly bruised stomach, then viciously kicks her side, turning her into a flying star that smashes into the incoming Yuuto ruthlessly, sending them both sprawling through the field.

Which is then followed by Lu Bu turning around and back-handing the rushing Koneko, sending her flying in the same direction as her two downed comrades.

Zani pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs once more, "Alright, that's enough, Lu Bu…" The giant snorts and rolls his shoulders, before moving to stand beside her.

His once mottled armor and halberd were now shiny and repaired, gleaming with the splendor they held in their prime, courtesy of the Forging Sect lavishing their best materials and masters to ensure Lu Bu has all he needs to bring out his full power.

Rolling her shoulders, Zani shoves her hands in her pockets and move to join the groaning, whimpering pile of now healed bodies. "I am… Thoroughly disappointed." She starts, holding back a yawn, "And I already mourn all the hours of lost sleep I will have to give up to train you lot."

Akeno shakily sits up, tears in the corner of her bloodshot eyes as she rests a hand on her stomach. Healed she may be, but the pain still lingered, "Y-You… Expect us to put up a fight again… That?"

Zani raises a brow, "You expect your enemies to be fair when they come at you?" She asks just as sharply, making her flinch and lower her gaze, "You expect Gates to care about your strength when before dropping an Ultimate Class Gate on you?"

"You expect the feral monsters that rush out of them to give you time to prepare? Cast your Spells? Take a break and catch your breath?" Her eyes coldly stare at each brat before her, none of them daring to meet her gaze as they simply lay there.

"You've been sheltered and pampered so far." She rolls her shoulders and undoes her tie, "But not anymore. Now you'll need to learn to properly support your King… Instead of holding her back by not using what you were born with."

Koneko and Akeno flinch, eyes going wide in fear and horror, "Y-You-" Akeno starts, but her jaws slam shut as Zani unleashes her killing intent, forcing it down on them with a sharp glare that makes them pale and quiver on the spot.

"You do not have a choice." She orders coldly, "Either you put what you were born with to use, or…" One gloved fist is raised, a golden-white radiance radiating from it, "I will inflict one-hundred years worth of pain on you with a single punch."

"I don't care if you throw up, or your bladder gives on, or if cry and beg for mercy. I will not stop, and he…" Her glowing fist jabs a thumb towards the giant meatball in the sky, "Won't heal you until I say so."

The three tremble and quiver as she takes a step forward, "This is your chance to finally become strong and manage to properly support your King." Zani pauses in front of them, then hums softly, "Do you think this is unfair?"

They don't answer, nor do they meet her gaze, as they just remain quiet and cowed. But Zani can still tell that they do find this quite unfair.

So, she chuckles and puts her hands on her hips, "Trust me, your King is suffering far more than you are right now." The trio perks up at that, eyes tinged with worry and confusion.

So the former Agares raises a finger to her eyes, "Listen close." They blink, then focus their senses.

After a few quiet seconds, they become aware of the distant tremors shaking the earth below them, followed by the distant and sharp cries of a narwhal.

Their faces soon pale in realization, while Zani chuckles, "My King isn't holding back one bit. Rias has potential, it just needs to be wrung out properly."

"As for your potential?" A cruel and lazy smirk spreads across her face, "I'll just have to beat it out of you."

The trio jumps to their feet, but it was already too late. Her fist smashed into each of their stomach, making them keel over and throw up their lunch in ugly, painful retches.

"And that was just One Year worth of pain. I'll add one additional year with each punch, so… Do your worst."

~~XXX~~

"Scaith~!" The redhead in my arms whines cutely, leaning her full body against me while kicking her bare legs. "Fleur is such a meanie!"

I chuckle as I hold Rias on my lap, brushing her damp hair with my fingers, "She's doing it for your own good." I reassure the pouting redhead, throwing a glance towards the ashen-haired beauty leaning against my left shoulder with her back, a book in hand.

"She didn't have to smash me through a mountain though!"

Fleurdelys sniffs softly as she turns a page, "It builds character."

"It hurt!" Rias whines, "A lot!"

"And yet you powered through your pain and kept attacking me." Fleur adds, turning her head to give Rias a warm and proud gaze, "Just one training session, and you are already growing immensely. I'm proud of you, Rias."

The redhead flushes and melts, then huffs against me, "She's so unfair, Scaith."

I hum, then grin, "I'm proud of you too." Her flush grows stronger, bright eyes glaring at me with no real bite in them, just warmth and adoration.

Then she leans in and quickly leaves a kiss on my lips, before moving closer to Fleurdelys, who tilts her head back and receives her own kiss from Rias, who smiles brightly soon after.

"So, what did you learn from your beating- I mean, your training session?" The redhead pouts and slaps my chest, and I share a soft amused snort with Fleurdelys.

"I take too much time in charging my Power of Destruction orbs…" Rias finally sighs out, slumping back against and rubbing circles with her finger on my chest, while I try hard not to stare too much at her exposed cleavage. "I always let go of my Devil Energy after I use it, so I have to grab it and gather it once more. Fleurdelys taught me to always have a hold on it, even when I am not fighting."

"It is mentally draining, but I believe I'll swiftly get used to it." That's a fair point, and quite the weakness to get rid off.

Having to grasp and gather one's Mana or Devil energy always takes a bit, usually a good few seconds… But if one always keeps a hold on it, then they can instantly start charging their Spells whenever they want.

Rias already has an immense amount of power in her hands, coupled with her busted Power of Destruction. Once she masters most of Fleurdelys' teachings, she'll become a real powerhouse. "And what else?"

Fleur hums softly before speaking up with a fond tone of voice, "She started mimicking me." I raise a brow at that, while Rias flushes and turns the color of her hair.

"Oh?"

"It was quite cute." Fleur drawls out, "Made me want to gobble her up right then and there." Rias squeaks and buries her face in the crook of my neck, "She created a sword made out of Power of Destruction. Even made a massive narwhal and launched it at me."

I whistle at that, "Shouldn't the Power of Destruction be very hard to shape?"

Fleur nods, a sharp glint in her eyes, "Quite. Yet Rias does so effortlessly. Quite the talented little treasure."

Isn't she better than Sirzechs in that regard, then? His whole trump card is just becoming the personification of his Clan Trait and letting it rampage, pure destructive power unleashed wildly thanks to his enormous reserves.

"Anyway!" She poor Heiress snaps up, not wanting to be praised anymore by us, "I know I left Gasper and Valerie with you to train, so I hope you treated them well!"

I blink at that… Oh right, she did do that. "Oh, most definitely. Uh-huh." Her bright azure eyes narrow into a cute glare.

"What did you do to them?"

I shrug, "Mostly Gasper. He is training very hard, you know?" Her eyes narrow even more, "I just ordered all three-thousand of our soldiers to surround him and stare at him. That's all."

Her mouth falls open, "You monster…"

"Hey, he has Valerie as some form of emotional support. He just has to focus on the anime she is showing him instead of the three-thousand people staring at him. Without blinking."

That sure as hell is his personal hell. I left the poor kid crying and huddled into the ground, with Valerie patting his back in encouragement.

I'm glad to see the young woman be happy and playful, instead of that nearly vegetative state I found her in with Fleurdelys.

"One can't afford to be too nice, Rias." I shrug and pat her head, "He alone will be able to assure your victory during Gate incursions. The sooner he grows out of his fear, the sooner he'll become your greatest support."

Imagine allowing enormous waves of monsters to pour out of the Gate… Then freezing them in time, giving everyone time to build a massive Spell to attack them with.

Or freezing them to buy others some breathing room. Gasper is quite powerful, he just needs to grow into that power and out of his fear. Luckily, with Valerie with him, the process will be much faster.

As for Valerie… The thought of dropping the Boosted Gear on her lap is amusing, I'll admit that. Though she is quite powerful already as is, she just needs more practice with her powers.

...Imagine a Lu Bu with the Boosted Gear.

I shudder at the mere thought of that unholy fusion.

"As long as he'll be fine." Rias huffs out, then slumps back against my chest, "So, what's next on your agenda?"

I hum at that, "Probably wait for our territory to be built close to No Man's Land, then give out a call to everyone that wants to move and live there. It'll be enough to for close to a hundred thousand at least, and will grow with each passing day."

The reason we didn't make it bigger is so to create jobs for those that will move in. Building, paving roads, tending to the fields, moving cargo, cooking, so on and so forth.

Plus guarding the streets, keeping crime on a low, making sure there are no altercations and whatnot. Those who move in will have to put in the work, but they will all be equal, their pay much higher than normal, and they can take trips to the Chinese Faction to relax, have fun, buy things, or even join Sects.

Once they join us, they'll be able to enjoy their lives however they see fit, instead of being forced to do a certain job just because they were born in a family beneath Nobles that is good at said job, so they are forced to keep doing it.

"I'll put in a good word myself, then." Rias sniffs, a smile on her lips, "Though it won't matter much, since the Leviathan name is still quite revered even now."

I lean back, resting a hand on Rias' hips and pulling her closer as I do so. "It would do well to do something big before the announcement. Something televised."

Fleur perks up at that, "To show even more of our power?"

I nod with a smile, "We'll basically allow Stray Devils to come find refuge to us, and even give refuge to any Reincarnated Devil that wishes to escape from their disgusting slavers. We need to show we have to power to go against all these Noble Devils in a way that will convince them soundly."

I then shrug, "Though, what exactly to do still isn't clear, but I'll come up with an idea."

First, we'll have to deal with the Angels and hope it goes well.

Who am I kidding, of course it'll go well.

~~XXX~~

Of all the places I expected the Angels to chose as our meeting spot, this wasn't it.

I expected a Church, maybe one of the more famous ones so to better weaken us while inside it just in case… But nope.

What they picked instead was a nice and beautiful restaurant with a view of the beach and sea, and despite having traveled quite a bit, I do not recognize the place after a quick look around.

It does resemble Positano, though. Fairly nice but cramped place, that one.

We are led to our table on the balcony of the restaurant by a finely dressed and smiling blonde man, who is most definitely an angel seeing his teal colored eyes and the pure aura flowing out of him.

Seated at the table are already four individuals, each one radiating a soothing but very, very powerful presence.

One is a giant of a man filled with muscles, and short spiky blonde hair, with eyes burning with a light and pure violet light. He was wearing a white shirt that clearly did not fit his muscular body and arms, seeing how the buttons were doing their best to remain on.

Sat on his right his a curvaceous and beautiful woman in a white dress with long light brown hair, green eyes with small glasses before them, and a cool yet refined look on her face.

The last two are easy to recognize. One is Michael, long blonde hair, bright teal eyes, and a face that just screamed kindness and beauty. He was thin, yet tall, giving him an effeminate air.

The other one was… Oof. Gabriel was beauty incarnate, her very curvaceous figure wrapped in a sundress that struggled to contain her enormous mountains, her long curly golden hair descending down her back, while her face radiated a look of innocence and cute warmth.

She was all sunny smiles that nearly made me squint to try and look past that dazzling radiance of hers, yet she also evoked a feeling of… Hunger, that seemed to originate from the Devil side of me.

A desire to ravish and ruin her. But one I quell with ease without even making my expression twitch.

Though it clearly affects Fleurdelys even more, as she has to turn her gaze away and blow a hot breath through her nostrils, "Apologies for the loss of decorum." She starts, turning back towards the four Great Seraphs with a small grimace and gentle smile.

Michael stands, a gentle smile on his face as he offers us one of his hands, "That is alright, Lady Fleurdelys. We are unfortunately used to evoking such desires within Devils."

Fleur scoffs and shakes Michael's hand with a smile, "The Morningstar spared none when he enforced this desire of his upon his creations." A look of pain flashes past the eyes of each Great Seraph as I shake hands with Michael after Fleurdelys.

"It is a pleasure to meet you all, Great Seraphs." My King states as I step forward, pulling back her seat and letting her sit down first, "As you might know already, I am Fleurdelys Leviathan, daughter of the Original Leviathan, who you likely have fought countless times in the past."

The Four Great Seraphs nod, and Fleurdelys smiles and turns towards the giant that is Uriel, "My mother always used to complain about you, Lord Uriel." The giant locks up, one lone eyebrow twitching, "Said you had this bad habit of swinging around a flaming hammer while yelling like a brute-"

"I did not do such a thing!" The giant slams a fist down on the table, face flushed, and all the other Great Seraphs turn away to hide their twitching lips.

"B-Brother, it is not good to lie-"

"Gabriel! How could you!?" Hell, even Gabriel's voice is divine…

Michael cuts in next, a wistful and amused look on his face, "You did use to swing a hammer around while yelling 'For Father!', didn't you?"

Uriel looked seconds away from literally exploding as he huffs a breath through his nostrils like an angry bull, "Raphael, don't." He grunts out, glaring at the glasses-wearing beauty who had just opened her mouth to throw in her two cents.

Heh, good work, Fleur. Using an embarrassing moment to make the rough giant melt down and become more approachable.

Uriel isn't the biggest Devil fan, so he was going to be our biggest opposition in this hopeful alliance. Yet, through this, Fleur was able to make him melt and open up just a bit.

"Oh, right." My King perks up, then waves a hand towards me, "This is my Reincarnated Queen, Scaith." I bow my head with a smile towards the four powerful Angels, who smile and nod back. "He is actually the reason on why I asked for this meeting. Thank you for agreeing to it."

Surprisingly enough, the four Angels don't seem overly surprised that I am the reason behind the meeting. Perhaps they already worked it out?

Raphael adjusts her glasses and gives me a critical stare, "Am I correct in presuming that you are the current wielder of the Sephiroth Graal?" My smile grows at her sharp yet astute question.

So instead of answering, I let a milky white radiance bloom from my chest as a single and small golden cup manifests before me, drawing their reverent and warm gazes to it as I settle it on the table. "You are correct."

I lean back on my chair, "I believe you are already aware with how it works, yes?"

Michael nods, turning his gaze from the Graal to me, "Yes. It has power over Souls, being able to modify them, study them, or find them no matter where."

I nod slowly, "Mine is different." My smile grows, and their eyes widen when two additional golden cups flow out of my chest and are set on the table, "It is a Subspecies… And with it, I can permanently bring back the dead."

All four Great Seraphs freeze, eyes as wide as they could be. Michael's hands tremble from the spot on the table.

I keep going, taking advantage of the shock, "The problem is that the Principles of Life and Death are shoved into my head, and it could easily break my mind through even a few minutes of excessive use."

Raphael lets out a slow, shaky breath through her nostrils, "And you believe we have a way to fix that?"

I make a so-so gesture, "I am gambling on the fact that a piece of the original Graal should help with silencing the voices." I can really say that I am assured of it, after all. Might as well avoid rousing suspicion when and where I can.

Uriel leans forward, placing his massive arms on the table and giving me a sharp look, "And in exchange?" He probes, but I could tell from the eyes of each Seraph that they already know what I am going to offer.

"In exchange, I will help you either bring back your fallen brethren, or create new ones."

Yet, despite knowing it was coming, it still made them all reel back in pure shock and hope, with Gabriel throwing a wide-eyed, hope-filled look towards Michael, who bites on his lower lip and closes his eyes.

"You are offering us quite a lot, for honestly… Quite little." Michael sighs out, his gaze soft yet shaken.

My own expression softens at that, and I remember how not even too long ago I was ready to rob the grave of a Pope, and desecrate the corpses of their fallen brethren.

Had I done that, this alliance would have collapsed before even starting, and we'd be mortal enemies with the Angels.

But circumstances change, and I decided against it because we need a good alliance with them to let our territory truly shine and surpass the New Satans.

"How do you know we can't create more Angels?" A sharp question cuts through the air, and it comes from Gabriel of all people. Her gentle and innocent smile is still in place, but her eyes are sharp as she notices my slip of the tongue.

The other three Great Seraph are made aware of it through Gabriel's question, but I just smile softly and push a single Graal towards the Might of God.

Gabriel blinks, then gently reaches forward with both of her hands. A milky white radiance flows out of the cup, wrapped around a very thin golden radiance that is flickering, almost like candle about to be snuffed out.

The eyes of the four Great Seraphs instantly redden at the sight, "Father…" Gabriel whispers beneath her breath, voice choked with emotion.

"Some time ago, I gave Fleurdelys here the opportunity to mourn her mother and have a conversation with her." I reveal, giving my King a warm smile, which she returns with a look of love and adoration, "I found the Souls of the other Original Satans there, together with that."

I nod towards the fragment of Big G's Soul, the only one I could find, "I know that Gods can come back even after death, but whatever the Morningstar did during their final battle basically crippled your Father's Soul apart, hence why he hasn't come back yet."

Gabriel cradles the cup to her chest with trembling hands, tears in her eyes, "Can you bring Him back?"

I bite my lower lip at her heartfelt request, "I might be able to, with enough time." I sigh out finally, making her eyes widen with hope, "With the help of the monsters overflowing out of the Gates, I can use their Souls to nurture that fragment, allowing Him to slowly recover."

"But considering His level of power… We might require trillions of Souls to even have a modicum of progress. Stronger Souls might help more, of course."

And I am not counting the Souls that I will put to my own use, of course. So it'll take even more time. Decades if not centuries. Which we might not have.

Uriel breathes in deeply, crossing his arms, "With access to No Man's Land, you'll have access to all the monsters you need… But if you die…" Then all progress is lost, and they now do not want to risk my life.

Because risking my life is basically dooming their Race once and for all. I am now their literal last ray of hope.

I look towards Michael, who is sharing a look with Raphael, making me raise a brow at their silent conversation that lasts just a few seconds before the woman nods at Michael.

The Archangel wets his lips, then turns towards us, "What if… We knew the location of a very, very powerful being?"

I raise my brow at that, then share an interested look with Fleurdelys, "I don't believe you are speaking of Samael…" I probe, and Michael shakes his head.

He chews on his lower lip, then speaks up, "Raphael has created many detection and scrying Spells, all of them aimed towards No Man's Land… And two months ago, they detected the emergence of a Gate."

His teal eyes meet mine, "A Heavenly Dragon Class Gate."

My blood runs cold at that. That means that the boss monster is a whole class above the Heavenly Dragons… Fucking hell...

"Yeah, a Soul like that might help…" I sigh and palm my face, "The problem is getting it. We have nowhere near the level of power to match that-" I pause, and a daring thought flashes past my mind.

Fleurdelys catches onto my look and smiles, "You have a plan, my dear Scaith?"

I breathe in, then give the Archangel a grin.

"Our current power might be lacking… But what if we add a Heavenly Dragon to our ranks?"

Guess I'm bringing the Red Dragon Emperor back to life.

I'm sure he'll love getting to throw down with beings even stronger than he is.

A.N. And the Fifth chapter is done! Phew! Gettin' tired now.

Honestly, wanted to make this fic one that focuses on Rating Games… Yet I've done just one so far, lol!

Maybe it'll change, we'll see.

Hopefully y'all enjoyed this chappy!

As said above, the next one will still be in the Five Chapters ahead category before I move to Draugr.

Thanks for the support and patience!

Toodles!