Flesh is Weak

Closing the net.

The next morning began with me snaking through the snoring Queens before a quick breakfast. I was joined midway through it by Ravel. At the island the two of us booted up a cogitator to start reading the after-action report that Paula had posted. Twenty fallen dead along with fifteen of Kokabiel's human meat shields. The base sadly couldn't be taken by us thanks to the fast reaction of one of Kokabiel's cadre. The majority of the fallen killed had been two winged but there were five four wings and five six wings that were taken out by robots and our peerage. Paula thanked me for the wargear saying her people had survived horrendous damage the fallen had thrown at them during the assault.

There was a side note for me that said she was eager to do more missions. Ravel and I debated then agree that we could go after two more bases with the new manpower allowing our peerage to start stray hunts. Issari, Akeno and Irina would do the first base while I would strike the second one. The first base was a big, isolated motel near the port that Kokabiel had been using to smuggle people into the country. It was on the main highway to Kuoh while my base was in southern Japan in an old bunker complex from the Second World War. The first base had several fallen along with exorcists and the second had the first two and renegade youkai supposedly. Paula was told to get ready and that I would join them with two others.

I saw the next report from Trina and Adria on Ryza and was somewhat pleased. New apartment buildings were starting to go up quickly and the village natives were in shock learning that they would be getting said homes rather than being left homeless. I smile at the rest of the report that said Orthan was working extra hard. That went away after reading a complaint about the fact my plans including things he said were unnecessary.

The final report was only for my eyes. Akeno letting me know she had managed to get four four winged fallen from the last raid. They were in stasis and would be transferred to me when she saw me later today. I have plans for them with another message and the other three servitors would be specced for anti air with heavy bolters. I was considering a new model of said bolter with bigger magazines for the fight.

I consider it further as I made a message group for the peerage to hand out stray hunts. I was mentally finishing the final design of said servitor when Rias found me getting my attention by a poke.

"I need to do a hunt today for Heniya. Will you come with me?"

The nervousness despite how fast Rias was becoming stronger was cute.

"I'll join you, Ria. When are you going?"

Rias smiled our smile and kissed my cheek.

"In a half hour. I'm going with Shirone against three pawns and a bishop."

That's a cake walk.

"You won against a six-winged fallen Ria this is easy. I'll make armor for her and we can be off."

Said kitty had been nearby quickly claimed my lap. The white cat was given an amused look by Rias and Shirone stared down her king. The sight got laughs from both of us before I looked at Shirone.

"I'm ready to see my princesses show me how strong they are."

Armor was made for Shirone in her she told me final size for now that was two inches shorter than me. She was still getting used to her new height and stumbled a little wearing the armor. Kuroka gushed over her sister looking so cute and looked ready for a cuddle session. Ravel was half smiling and she told me as Rias was prepping her las gun.

"I will be at the base doing things for most of today. I know I don't have to say this but be careful Greg."

My smile smirk was on full force.

"I try to be at all times. Call me if you need help with anything."

That got me a quick kiss before I turned to Kuroka.

"I have made a prison cell in the base for the exorcist when you do capture her. Put her there and I'll get to that after."

That got a nod before more gushing came. That only ends when I open a portal to the location of said strays in an old restaurant on the outskirts of the city.

Shirone sent out a skull and we quickly see that there were the strays and again a prisoner. People in Kuoh are unlucky and I get why the disappearance rate here is so high. Unlike many other times however we got a view of said prisoner. A young man with brown hair our age and was shaking in his cell in a storage room at the back part of the building guarded by a two piece pawn. He was close to freaking and I saw Rias in a new light here. She tightened her grip on her gun and her face turned to righteous fury. She looked ready to storm the building buy I cautioned her that this was now a hostage situation and that we have to be careful. That made Rias start laying out a plan.

The plan began when Shirone punched in the back door close to the cell. The door went flying down the hallway straight into the pawn throwing him to the floor. Then Rias and I entered with Rias showing her idea she had been practicing with. It was amazing to see a red las shot fly towards the pawn getting up. The man stopped existing as the las shot hit him with the power of destruction in it. Leaving only the terrorized head and Rias told me how she did this as we moved forward into the restaurant.

"I can't do flashy stuff like Heniya or my brother because of how long it went unused. So I tried a rune that I powered making a bubble on the end of the gun to coat the shot. Fight smarter not harder."

Oh that is hot and I compliment her.

"You are not stupid Ria."

We continue forward and the strays who had heard the noise had come running into the hall. Only to freeze seeing our armor. A pawn backed up into their comrades while she shakes pointing at us.

"That's the Lord of Iron run!"

The pawns who were humans were backing away along with the bishop who was a hag. She blanched and she prepared to try something when I fired my boltgun making her and the others dive for cover. There was an explosion as the round does its work and Rias moved forward with Shirone and me. Two sets of mechadendrites extend with chainswords before the fight truly begins.

Rias took the hag while Shirone and I took the pawns. My fight was easy and fast as I cut one in half with a chainsword in a single move. I burned the body after taking the head and saw Shirone splatter the other pawn with a dual punch of her power fists. The man coated the wall behind him leaving just his head. Rias was chasing the hag with her chainswords roaring as she fired her las gun again blowing off the Hag's right leg. The stray tumbling to the floor and wailing in fear as Rias advanced.

"I stand with my husband against scum like you. Die like the coward you are for kidnapping innocent people."

Rias cut off the hag's head and she was trembling in anger for this unknown person. I got the heads from the pawns with Shirone and got Rias's kill. Rias had been ready to run and help the other person. I stopped her and explained as we burned the rest of the bodies.

"He heard everything and will freak if we go too fast. Let the noise die down and then we can go help him. You did wonderful Ria."

That settled my redhead down and she nodded understanding. I hand the heads over to Rias and she throws those in a pocket spell before helping clean up. It was only five minutes later that with our helms off and weapons holstered that we opened the door to the closet. The guy had bunny-hopped to the corner of the room with his eyes closed in fear. He reluctantly opened his eyes and saw us in armor. He blinked at us before his face took on new fear.

"I'll give you what you want just don't hurt me!"

I saw why they had kidnapped the guy as he had gear. Rias reassured the young man as she came over to cut the rope.

"We will get you free in no time. We want nothing for this."

The guy looked at Rias and flinched hearing a sword come to life. Before the rope was cut falling to the floor. Rias backed off and the guy opened his eyes to look at us.

"Who are you guys you don't look like police?"

I smile smirked.

"Just your friendly neighborhood devils. Names Gregor."

The guy slowly got up and was still slightly shaking. However, he upon seeing Rias stopped and stared at her.

"You're that girl that transferred into Kuoh Academy near the end of last school year."

Rias proudly smiled.

"That's me. I don't recognize you I'm sorry."

That made the guy blush before he scratched his head.

"It's alright no one really pays attention to me being a nerd. I'm Kiya Renjiro."

The guy looked at the ground as Rias smiled slightly.

"I'm a nerd too as is my boyfriend."

Kiya looked up and I asked him while moving out of the way.

"Your vice?"

The guy blushed.

"Hell Maiden."

I chuckled.

"Hell Maiden is incredible Rias recently introduced me to it."

Kiya went still and then smiled brightly ready to fanboy about Hell Maiden. Rias gave me a quick smile before she got ready to report to Heniya the job was done. Shirone had been outside in the hallway and looked ashamed seeing Kiya. She was still down till she saw my slight smile. Kiya saw the tail and ears on Shirone and froze as she and Rias left.

He watched the armored tail and once they were gone he looked at me in question.

"I'll catch you up dude. You just entered a new world yes, that was a catgirl."

It was a half hour explanation to Kiya who like all people learning of the other side was dumbstruck. We were at the house and Kiya was shell shocked by the reason he had been kidnapped. I had activated it and it turned out that the gear was staring blue. Kiya was silent seeing and holding his blue bow in confusion. That was when Akeno poked her head into the room and then brightened seeing us. She came in dressed in a t shirt and jeans looking amused at me.

"Another rescue I see."

I chuckled.

"Not mine this time. Rias saved him with an excellent plan. I just finished explaining things to him."

Akeno giggles and that kicked Kiya out of shock. He gazed at Akeno and jumped up off the couch pointing.

"The first Onee-sama of the school!"

That made Akeno giggle further while I smile smirk.

"He's a schoolmate apparently. Kiya-san this is my cousin Akeno Himejima."

Kiya was still pointing, and Akeno did a hair flip before she turned to me.

"The things you wanted are ready when you are Lex. The base was challenging but fun. We just got done with lunch and we will head out for the next one soon. You're taking the one after?"

I nodded while Kiya was frozen stiff.

"I am I will be with Paula and her people because this base has multiple levels and is their next largest base here. We can't use the robots because of the bunker space. I will get to the things after Roka has our possible assassin dealt with."

Akeno smiled and she replied to that with a face that held some melancholy.

"I appreciate the break Lex. Something important is coming up and I want the day off for it."

Kiya finally stopped being frozen.

"Robots. Assassins. Bases. What the hell kind of life is this and where can I sign up! I have always wanted an adventure!"

Akeno fufufuing at Kiya while I shake my head.

"Hardly an adventure but you have spirit. Talk to Rias about reincarnation if you want that or you could help in other ways."

Kiya considered.

"She is my heroine. Maybe she can get me an autograph from Serena!"

That makes Akeno start fufufuing again. I checked Kiya again and was about to say something when Kuroka came in with a face that was weird for her. It was frowning and I looked her way.

"The trap worked?"

Kuroka continued frowning.

"Yes, but not the way I expected. She surrendered to me after she saw the armor nya."

Wait surrendered? My red met her yellow and my queen answered me.

"She's in the cell and I put the sword under lock and key. She asked to speak to you by name nya."

At the base I looked into the cell through one way glass and saw the exorcist was praying silently. With me looking through the glass was Paula, Kuroka and Issari. Paula had finally named the exorcist before us.

"Mirana Anastasia Romanov the Orthodox Church's best exorcist. She's the youngest sister to Tsar Alexander the IV."

I vaguely recall that name. It however came back in full force because of something Issari did. She was narrowing her brown eyes in lust at a certain part of Mirana. I roll my eyes now remembering the event. This was a possible future brave saint. I turned to Paula in thanks.

"She was stalking us at a convention last Friday and carried a holy sword. I feared she was an assassin from Kokabiel after my betrothed. Her brother is Lord Lucifer and he would destroy Japan if she was hurt."

Paula winced while Issari was still watching her favorite part.

"That's how we are going to lure him in isn't it?"

Paula looked confused so I fill in my Skitarii.

"I'm Ajuka Beelzebub's son. He will target me extra hard because I sent him a gift with more to come. The goal is to lure his cadre here and then be extremely brutal to them to send a message to his allies in Grigori. We will need everyone for that and I want our people ready at a moment's notice."

Paula looked at me and her eyes widened.

"That's..."

Kuroka put her tails on my shoulder and she reassured our captain.

"That's a good plan and I will be ready for it."

Paula considered and agreed.

"As will I. We are now getting a flood of people and will need space for them. All of them exorcists that need equipment."

I gave Issari a look and she tilted her head.

"We have more wargear in our armory and beds here or at future bases we will claim. Hand them out and we will get them ready. How long before we spring this?"

I was looking at Mirana still praying.

"One or two weeks. I will do everything to even the odds for us but we face around six hundred fifty fallen at least from his cadre alone."

Paula looked grim but her face shows she will die on this hill if needed.

"I will train everyone to whatever you want."

I nod but looked at my friend. She considered something.

"Make me a Solar Auxillia Tactica and I will retrain our people to it. No offense Pau but your guys were sloppy at the base. The only reason you all didn't die was your armor. You were fighting as individuals rather than as a blessed machine."

Paula looked down.

"The churches don't train us in group tactics. We don't get more than three people per mission and we usually are given next to no information."

That's plain ineptitude forces need up to date information on things. No wonder so many exorcists get hurt and we are slaughtering Kokabiel's meat shields. That exorcist commander at the JDF base was fighting against a stacked deck.

"That needs to be destroyed completely in our forces. We all have One Vision and One Purpose when we fight."

That got a snicker from Kuroka that while Paula took it seriously in the right way.

"One machine that protects the world. I wish to see this Tactica."

The book was made twice and the two went off to read it before their next mission. Kuroka kept grinning as she looked at our prisoner and she informed me something.

"The sword is not an Excalibur nya. It's one called Winter's Touch. It's a lesser known holy sword that has only ever worked for the rulers of Russia nya. It's how Anastasia Romanov escaped from the Soviets, and when the Romanovs returned to power it was passed down to her grandsons."

That helps explain why Russia has Tsars again. I looked at Mirana again and I am looking at a Romanov that's still so strange to me and Kuroka noticed my look.

"That didn't happen in your universe did it nya?"

I shook my head.

"No it didn't. We didn't have a supernatural world. The Romanovs died and were buried in Siberia by the Soviets while our Cold War lasted another decade. Tsars never returned to power in Russia."

Kuroka blinked rapidly not getting that easily and I prepare to confront a stalker.

Upon entering the room I took a seat across from Mirana and the woman looked up at me finally. A smile crossed her face for a second before it disappeared and was replaced by a noblewoman's face. Her ash eyes met my red ones as we observed each other before Mirana spoke.

"The Lord of Iron."

I returned it.

"The Orthodox Church's best exorcist."

Mirana showed something there.

"I am not the best at anything. I will forever be proving to the Lord Almighty my devotion."

She wasn't arrogant and I considered what that says for the Orthodox church.

"Yet that's what you are. I will be brisk. Why were you stalking us at the convention with a holy sword near my betrothed?"

Demonic energy leaks out and Mirana didn't flinch.

"To find you. You have captured Heaven's attention. You that can perhaps make what some of us have long wanted possible."

I have a hunch now.

"You found me. I'm curious why Heaven has an interest in me. I'm their enemy and not kind like they are being in many ways the darkness of man and devil in one."

Mirana looked at me again.

"Yet you stand for virtues as well as sins. You seek to protect the half you favor more. A man of metal and flesh that sees the glory of both. You like us want a better world and according to my handler you will make it in iron and blood."

I don't show emotion to this.

"I do and you are right. Yet you still came near us with a sword that is poison to my future wife. You could be trying to kill her under Kokabiel's orders being a plant in the churches for him. She who can be the spark that makes a second Great War."

Mirana looked ashamed.

"I could have been yes. However, I don't serve him I directly serve the Seraph Metatron. He that has long watched her for a way to end the Great War. Unlike the other churches the Orthodox Church has long studied the underworld and its denizens. We see all that the new kings have done to try to be different from their predecessors. We understand that they are not winning often enough yet the fact they continue trying despite the failures is more than what the Morning Star ever did to repent for his crimes. We want the Great War to end. I like the seraph want a peace with honors that respects the second children that we both are. The Seraph believes that you and she are the key to that goal."

A peace with honors that respects humanity. That is unlikely to happen with how the GKF is. There is a way to do that now but it involves tipping my hand with the king piece. The NKF doesn't have the numbers in the parliament to do this.

"It will be a hard sell for that peace. You know that he is their Great Enemy. That the GKF is in control and will not do anything that acknowledges humanity as equals easily."

Mirana understood the hill there.

"You will find a way. I have faith that you will."

I will throw out my plans to Ravel and Rias to see if we can get that majority without the king piece which we need for the ultimate trump card. I turned to Mirana again.

"You will be my prisoner till I can trust you. I'll have my maid bring food and two of my people escort you to a bathroom."

Mirana nodded sadly.

"I had prepared for this and understand the coldness for the sword. It was stalk or jump and both were bad choices."

They are and I feel sorry for Mirana. I get up and leave the room considering my plan.

I found Ravel looking over several things in the command center on a cogitator. Rias was also here as explain thing to Kiya who was looking at everything in amazement. I saw what his decision was as he is now a three piece pawn. Ravel saw me enter and she looked up from her computer.

"Is our prisoner dangerous?"

I was still considering things.

"Yes and no. She is a representative of Heaven not Kokabeil she was sent to find me as Heaven seems to think I can officially end the Great War."

That shocked Ravel and Rias while Kiya kept staring at the technology of the far future here. I heard someone behind me and saw Kuroka come in with Shirone. Kiya looked my direction and saw Kuroka. His mouth dropped to the floor seeing my queen and his eyes take on lust for her. That got me out of hard thinking. I glared down the other while leaking some demonic energy making Kiya back up while Kuroka smiled kindly to the noob.

"I'm his and he is mine so try not to do that nya. He's ultra protective."

Kiya blushed and looked down at the floor as I lowered the pressure.

"Sorry man she's just…"

I get it wasn't a bad move on his part.

"You're forgiven. I see you took the offer."

That broke the hasty wall there before he remembered something.

"You have Rias-chan too that means that."

Ravel spoke up while thinking something.

"He has me as well and yes devils and others do that. On our side of the world, they are common."

Kiya considered that before he shrugged and his sin was not lust.

"I didn't know Rias-chan told me the benefits and negatives of being us but not that."

Good woman Rias but I need to ask something to Ravel.

"Ravel do you know how close the difference is between the NKF and the GKF in parliament?"

Ravel considers that.

"With us Phenexs in the NKF and the Naberius thrown out of the GKF the difference is two votes. The battle lines are already drawn so it will be hard."

Three measly votes and the NKF has a tiny majority. I poke at her.

"Given our contract brought your family into the NKF that implies that there are other neutrals."

Ravel smiles a sexy smile at me.

"You are correct. There were three pillars that didn't take sides and formed a small neutral bloc. Us the Agares and the Paimon. The Agares would usually votes GKF because of business reasons as did my family because of my dad. The Paimon won't vote unless they get something out of it."

I think there and consider how to do two blows here. Seekvaria will be easy to win over. What would the Paimon want was the question. We would also need to make a blow to the GKF. Kiya blanched hearing this.

"Being a noble must suck ass."

That was met by a disapproving look from Shirone at her new peerage mate while Rias giggled. Ravel was also amused but didn't say it. I poked Ravel again.

"What about the Uvalls? I know that their Heir is desperate to join the NKF but his father votes GKF because of what my dad did to them and our rivalry. How would we get them to switch? We need to build a coalition to get this done because I have the key to final peace with Heaven."

Ravel frowned.

"The Uvalls will be a harder sell. Perhaps we can offer them extreme discounts on future forge stuff, and or you could humble yourself to them? They do have a daughter that is our age and could be the final sealing point."

Rias was putting some of it together while frowning at Ravel's point.

"You will get the Agares to help us because of Seek. Then if we can convince the Uvalls we have two more seats and if we get the Paimon that's what will get us this."

I compliment Rias while thinking.

"My wife to be is not stupid. Yes that is the rough plan on the Agares. What do the Paimon usually want for votes? Do they also have any sons or daughters?"

Rias grew increasingly worried while Ravel reassured Rias.

"You won't have to worry Rias. The third daughter the Paimon have is not a threat. She however is dotted upon by her mother who runs the family."

That relaxed Rias and I raised an eyebrow in question at Ravel. She smiled a secret smile.

"She is a sweet girl and suffers from being timid. Her brothers and grandparents pick on her constantly and she doesn't have bright prospects. She could be your ticket in."

That could work.

"You know this person how?"

Ravel took on a kind face.

"She and I were playmates as kids. They was fun to be around when she was brave."

Ravel must have been extremely good friends with this person.

"I'll see if I can get her here. What would you peg her as piece wise?"

Ravel smiled sadly.

"A pawn she sadly isn't powerful or inherited the Paimon family bloodline power of speed."

Oh I have an idea. I asked my deity if this person was like Rias. This could work especially when I get the answer of yes they are like Rias. Many purebloods from the pillars were like that and shunned.

"I believe that I can help her. The guy upstairs says that he can help unlock that. Would that be enough for the Paimon to jump on board with us?"

Rias went wide eyed as did Ravel.

"It could how will you sell the idea?"

Kiya made a normal mistake.

"Guy upstairs like a God? Ow!"

That hit everyone but me as I pat Kiya on the shoulder.

"No using that word bro. They don't like devils other than mine. I'll send a letter to them tonight along with the one for Seekvaria. I'll meet with Seekvaria on Thursday in the underworld. What's her name?"

Ravel stopped hurting and she glared at Kiya.

"Azura. She's really nice when you get to know her. What else can the guy upstairs do?"

I slowly began explaining that to Ravel while everyone listened in.

It was a wonderful dinner that night and Kiya met everyone from my peerage along with the others in Rias's. He and Kiba struck up a conversation about swords and Kiya was sort of interested in them despite having the bow. Rias was spoiling Kiya with praise whenever he was curious about something. I was plain amused by that because it was like with Issei there. I had given Maéva instructions on how to feed our prisoner and have Thoron and Katase watch her on their downtime. That got salutes from the battle duo. Tomorrow Kiryuu and Kuroka would be helping me at the base.

I had another present for Kokabiel made and used the other fallen to make more gun servitors with four bolters strapped onto the wing stumps as final design for Penitent-2. Messenger-2 was stuffed in a pocket for tomorrow. Akeno had joyfully told me over dinner that she had more three fallen and that we had our next base in the old motel they cleared yesterday.

Issari smiled wide saying that she saw so many cracks there that it would have been a waste to not take the free real estate. Irina had apparently been the big hero at the fight saving one of our Skitarii from our dreaded foe. Freed had gone berserk on the man and Issari told me it took the three of them working together to chase him off. I congratulated them for the bases and made teleportation pads and generators for the building. Issari left to set them up with a grinning Akeno and a blushing but very eager Irina.

I told my bishop and queen to spare fallen for my servitors after dinner. Kiryuu blanched at that before I shrugged.

"We have limited numbers, and we need something to make Kokabiel's people totally commit to our destruction. I'm trying to provoke him into committing just his cadre before he takes Grigori. If he does get the organization, we will need even more servitors to make up the differences."

Kuroka puts one of her tails on my shoulder.

"We face six hundred something fallen right now and we can't fight that easy nya. Yes servitors are not kind and I don't like them either but he's right."

Kiryuu sighed finally and I reassured my bishop.

"I will be the only one who will ever make them. I will never teach it to others unless something drastic happens."

That was the plan despite Akeno desperately trying to get me to teach her the process. My bishop was silent before she said her thoughts here.

"It's just extra cruel. They are people too even if they are bastards."

I understand her opinion.

"I would rather not have to make them but unless we make another plan and find another location to confront Kokabeil which I'm open too we need them. Playing hard devil's advocate we might one day need to make thousands of them if we face xenos that are like the Orks and or Rangdon. Both are horde forces and every body counts in those fights."

Kiryuu clearly doesn't like that.

"I get that you're trying to make the fight less bad for us but there must be some other way."

I consider new ways here.

"We would need more bodies for the fight. I can try to enlarge my devil Skitarii forces but they will attack the former exorcists and vice versa unless we get both sides used to each other. We have two robots currently being made but it takes several days per robot and resources that Maéva can only get so much of. Find me a way to get manpower and or more tricks and I will destroy the combat servitors. The messenger ones will be needed for him."

Kiryuu looked torn.

"Can't you perhaps hire mercs or something with the money you have now? Maybe pull in the Student Council or Heniya's peerage?"

Both are ok ideas and I looked to Kuroka.

"Mercs are hard Kiryuu as the supernatural kind are ultra unreliable like normal ones. They easily change sides, and many are cowards at heart nya. The few good companies are kept in near permanent contracts to certain groups in the supernatural world."

I consider the other suggestion.

"Sona is dedicated to the school she wants to build and this would be a hard sell to her for this. I'll try with Heniya but it has to be done a certain way or we risk losing control if the Satans or Heniya gets involved too early."

Kiryuu frowned and I was surprised when Rias came in and leaned on my shoulder.

"Congratulations on Kiya he seems nice."

Rias beams.

"He is and wants to help too just doesn't know how to yet. Can you get him that autograph?"

There was the puppy eyes of doom there and I immediately broke.

"I will ask for one when I see her."

That got me a kiss as Rias whispered something in my ear.

"Please don't marry the Uvall's daughter unless you absolutely have to. She was cruel to me over the years."

I didn't want to in the beginning and now don't want to period. Rias saw the reluctance and was pleased. Kuroka wrapped her tails around both of us while Kiryuu was thinking over the problem.

"Can't we place more gun defenses or maybe hire a human merc company? Yes, it would be dangerous and could break the veil but maybe that will work?"

My face was blank and I answered that.

"We couldn't hire human mercs. They would be out classed by fallen and we would need to equip them to make up the difference. The problem then would be mind wiping them after the fight or they would most likely run with said equipment trying to sell the las guns and chainswords. Gun defenses will be made but we can only go so far before satellites might catch on."

Kiryuu clearly was trying here and she continued to think this out.

"I will bring you more ideas."

I half smile and respect Kiryuu for her dedication here.

"I'll hear each of them. Till then we use this. Tomorrow, you don't have to do my request."

Kiryuu accepted that out before moving off upstairs. I gave Kuroka a look for the out too she shook her head and I take the support. With that done Rias then got super excited and dragged us both to watch Hell Maiden along with Kiya in the front room. The last things done before getting ready for sleep was writing to Seekvaria, and Lady Paimon. Handing over the letters to Maéva once done and as I'm head up the stairs, I heard a small beep. I looked at my phone to see that Raynare had sent me a text saying she misses us but was on Tobio's trail. Melancholy hits again and I realized then and there that Raynare had done it. She had seduced me fully. That smile of hers when she says that helped me through a night of mild nightmares despite everyone else there.

It was the new normal morning with the routine with everyone in our room. People were snoring and snot bubbles were growing. Thankfully this time the bubbles popped after I was out of bed and only woke Murayama for a second before sleep returned for her.

In the kitchen I was surprised to see Kiya here already. He was sitting at the island and I saw something that showed a hint of his life. A bruise in the shape of a hand on his neck that was mostly hidden. I sat next to Kiya and didn't say anything about the injury.

"Hey dude."

Kiya looked over at me and he was sort of down.

"Hey."

Neri set out a plate of food for me. Kiya was silently thinking and he finally said something.

"I want to help you guys out yet I'm not brave or strong like you or Rias-chan. I'm just me and even with my gear I'm nothing."

Before I could say anything to cheer him up Neri interrupted.

"You are a vital cog in the machine of reality like I and all others. Your equally as important as your king and my lord."

Kiya was confused by that while I eye my maid who didn't back down from the look. She met my eyes and I approved.

"There are many ways to be brave Kiya. I can tell you tales of a man that was the icon of bravery who helped my pawn Hetvia find hers. Rias like me started out at the bottom. You will climb the hill and earn your way up to your goal. You will show everyone that nerds are cool too."

Kiya took heart and shows his sin to me finally. Wrath imagining something or someone. I bumped Kiya who blinked.

"I'm that too if you need tips on how to control it."

Kiya smiled bashful but it became a true smile. He hesitated before he said something.

"I will. May I please move in?"

I half smiled.

"You're welcome to live here. The only two of us who don't live here is my pawn Katase and my contract magician. They drop in whenever they want. Need help with your stuff?"

I glance to see if there was any suitcases or bags. Kiya looked even more ashamed now.

"This is all I have I was thrown out this morning."

The bruise was now more visible and Kiya looked so ashamed. I catch a glimpse of red and Rias hugged her new pawn having snuck in and heard too. Kiya froze but took the hug without complaint. Rias whispered something in Kiya's ear seemingly making Kiya feel a bit better. While the two were talking to each other in whispers I checked my cogitator for today's report of Ryza.

The report was mostly good news with a single bad tiding. The village housing district was being built faster than I had hoped with more buildings going up. However a small accident had happened with the builders and a worker had a limb crushed. Rias or I would have to be there for a new limb or the man would be let go from the crew. Rias saw the injury report before a quick message alerted Trina that Rias would be coming to the underworld and to wait for her.

Rias once at the teleporter kissed me and Kuroka before she went off to doctor with a happy Shirone and an excited Kiya. Kiryuu was still thinking about her alternatives while Kuroka was being upbeat more than usual today.

I raised an eyebrow there and her smile was ultra wide.

"We should be able to clean this up fast nya. Then I can enjoy a nice date with just the two of us."

There was the thirst and I looked at her with amusement.

"We can my beautiful queen. What's the plan?"

That got us talking about said plan with Kiryuu following behind.

In the gym we met with the ten Skitarii that would be deployed with. Paula was not nervous, but her people were since it seemed they were all new to the Legio. Paula had etched the words I had said yesterday on her helm's right side.

The Skitarii looked at the three of us in caution. I kindly tell the new people.

"Call out when you are in trouble and we will help you. Despite everything we are a team."

Paula smiled knowingly.

"We will. One vision and one purpose. I have questions on the Tactica. It mentioned many places and things that I have never heard of. Places and beings that sound fantastical."

I smile smirk and start the branch with my next Alpha.

"It's a long tale. It will break your view of the world and reality."

A portal was opened to our target while said tale began.

Skulls were deployed by Kiryuu from our staging point on a nearby hill to search for an entrance to the bunker complex. The exorcists were dumbstruck after hearing the tale. They had been disbelieving of it at first but as I made skulls Koriel looked at Paula and the others about the far future. The ten listened to the tales and kept staring at the cybernetics on Koriel.

Of the nine other exorcists six were French, one was a German from Bavaria and the last two from South America. The Bavarian looked at his gun again and then back at me. Before he whispered something to himself. His grey eyes behind his glasses closed and he joined the faith as I heard the spirit of his mother in his gun. One by one the other exorcists looked at their guns and or armor putting things together. Only three more joined the faith here in two French men and a woman from Bolivia. The first French man with a large blonde mustache looked at me with tears falling down his face.

"Mousier I will never be able to thank you enough. I understand now what Paula has been saying. I have my daughter again thanks to you. Tell me how to protect the world like you do. Like they did for hundreds of them."

The German nodded too as did the others. Paula seemed more determined than ever both and she smiled at the four new believers.

"He's like I said is the one who understands us and them yet he's more us. He is the Omnissiah for those of us who are lost and discarded cogs. We were all excommunicated from the churches because we realized we were not tools to be thrown away or we saw them stand back and do nothing while evil happened. We cogs no matter our placement have purpose. The Angel of the Stars wants us to suffer as does his allies in Grigori seeking to bring a dark star over our world. I will fight him and evil until the bitter end. We would have been his meat shields if we stayed in Grigori now we will be the Iron Skitarii who like the people of that reality stand against darkness. Iron within Iron without!"

That got cheers from the exorcists turned Skitarii as Paula seemed to be well liked by her people and I can clearly see Akeno knew her stuff. When the cheers settled I turned to my new Skitarii.

"We will stop him and more from hurting our world. The goal of the Legio will always be to destroy evil and protect humanity yet I can't do this alone. I am nothing without righteous warriors like you."

That got even more cheers while Kuroka and Kiryuu were listening in. Kuroka gave me a grin that promised fun for us later. Kiryuu was busy watching the scanner and told us as the cheers subsided.

"Fifty foes inside. Twenty six fallen, four youkai and twenty exorcists."

The tablet was passed to me as I blanch seeing a holy sword wielder. Tsuda promised me that she will make Excalibur Mimic extra angry for me if it's him. I looked to our thirteen and we prepared for this.

The entrance to the bunkers was being guarded by two four winged fallen who were watching the forest that covered the entrance with beady black eyes. A tweet made both fallen looked up as two icicles punch through their skulls. Bodies flopping to the ground as we broke from the trees making our way towards the door.

A skull was sent in disguised as a bat and it showed that the first hall was booby trapped with runes. I let Kuroka break them slowly. However the runes covered a secondary alarm system that was set off. We move into the bunker and in the narrow hall we ran into five exorcists with pistols being pushed towards us by a fallen woman. She had two wings and was trying to make a light javelin.

Paula scored the first kill by firing a las shot down the hallway slamming through an exorcist. The man groaned before dropping to the floor with a hole in his stomach. The fallen immediately forced her people into cover in the out-coves on the sides of the hall. I nodded to Kiryuu to flush them out.

Icicles throw two out and they were quickly gunned down by our troops. I move forward with Mimic out and humming. The blade seemed to sing to me and it wove itself closer to me as I advanced. The hum made an enemy break cover and run. Only for a las shot to blow off his arm sending him to the ground screaming before a second shot put him down as I taunted the fallen.

"Weaklings is all I have fought in this cadre. You face the Omnissiah fallen prepare for pain and suffering."

That name pissed off the woman who roared out while breaking cover and forming a light spear.

"Death to a coward!"

She flew towards me in such rage that it was perfect for my swing. Excalibur Mimic takes both her hands off at the wrists. The hands dropped to the floor while the fallen screams before she gets hit by a las shot and lost her head. I looked at the remaining exorcist who shook before running screaming for help. Another las shot put her down and Kuroka began burning bodies.

In the center point of the bunker which had been an ammo storage depot we ran into fifteen fallen quickly forming a shield wall with a nekomata who was extremely mad at the rear. She hissed in rage at the sight of us and got even angrier seeing the tails on Kuroka. She immediately started preparing a youkai spell. Only to get cooked to a crisp by a fire ball thrown over the shield wall by Kuroka who shook her head in disappointment at the other cat's sloppy spell movement. The Skitarii dove into cover and began taking potshots at the fallen as two foes toppled under las fire. I claimed the next with a bolt killing a fallen man with four wings. The sight of him exploding made other fallen back up and break their formation. Another bolt claims a second kill as the fallen now focused on me throwing feathers and light spears at me in fury. This leaves them open to las fire and other things as Kuroka secured two fallen with spells. I saw a red hot las shot come from one of the Skitarii and he claimed a kill on a four winged fallen who had tried rallying his comrades. The shot blew off a head and the body slumped.

Feathers and light spears were flying from the fallen and three two wingers had managed to get close enough to me and each bore hate in their eyes. I extended mechadendrites and swords roar to life. I killed one fallen instantly with the axe as his head got chopped off. I take an arm from the second fallen and then a leg from the third as a cry goes up from our forces.

"All fear the Omnissiah! For he brings doom!"

I snorted inside the helm but that pissed off the four fallen. They each made light weapons and prepared to charge. One goes down from an ice bolt to the head while a second one choked on poison. The last two saw my axe change to a sword and back and they widened their eyes. One charged and snarled out in pure hate.

"That's Mimic! For the Angel of the Stars!"

I cut off his head and faced the last fallen. The man gulped and ran deeper into the bunker system up a stairway. I let him and then issued orders over the vox.

"Alpha take your people and clear the bottom floors before you secure the unknown objective. Kiryuu go with them."

Paula nodded and the Skitarii moved with Kiryuu towards the basement levels. Kuroka burned bodies with clones before she and I moved up the stairs.

We were attacked twice by exorcists with light swords in the stairwell. Mimic cut each in half while Kuroka cooked a fallen that had tried to help two exorcists. Clones were behind us burning bodies as we hit the next floor where the foe was trying to make a stand.

In that room four four winged fallen and three exorcists charged us. I popped a fallen with a bolt before turning on the exorcists while Kuroka throws three runes to the floor under the remaining fallen who all froze suddenly. I killed the last exorcist with a humming axe looking at my queen who began bagging the fallen up in a pocket.

"I want my date with my mate so sue me nya."

"I'll take you out for fish tonight at that sushi place Rias took us last time."

That got happy nyas as we continued pushing up.

The next room on this level was where a command center had once been with all the remaining exorcists along with the man I thought might be here. Freed in his armor saw me and immediately went on the attack. Barking an order to the exorcists.

"Kill them and there will be a special reward."

The exorcists charge towards us chanting.

"For Siegfried Reborn!"

This was pathetic as I extended my mechadendrites making swords roar.

"I am the Omnissiah and I bring death to you all."

That said I start with cutting four of the chargers in half. Their corpses fell and I started making a beeline towards Freed. Freed went straight into a swing with Galatine and caught my sword that was going for his head. I tell Tsuda to piss off the axe as Mimic hums so loudly that my swipe hit Freed's chest screeching metal against metal. The power ups helped me as I made a larger hole in the armor than our first fight. Freed immediately went on the defensive as he attempted to cut several mechadendrites off. I made them retract causing him to go off balance as I swung again.

The plate had slowly been healing from my first blow and I made the hole deeper than before. Freed was back pedaling away and sliced at my gut. The sword clangs off me just a I prepared a new swing with the axe powering up. I slashed my swords towards Freed from three different angles and the man barely caught each of them. That made him stay permanently on the defense. My swords made several faints that kept Freed guessing where another strike was going to come from not sure what was coming next from me. I prepare to make a swing with my axe at his chest where the hole was and finally end a cockroach.

However that didn't happen as I was smashed out of the way by a youkai spell that was fast. That gave Freed enough time to back up and he glanced towards his rescuer.

"Danke."

I was getting my footing again and saw the rescuer. Instead of making me angry in a bad way it made me angry in a good way. Standing there with two other kitsune was Himura who yipped at the other.

"I didn't save you because I wanted to human. I saved you because of your role in the plan otherwise, I'd let vermin gladly kill each other."

Kuroka was now finished with the exorcists and she turned our way. Freed remains emotionless and begins to back out of the room.

"I will inform the boss of this development and bring reinforcements."

That was said before two small orbs hit the ground and sent out bright light. It didn't blind me or Himura. I looked at this bitch who was going to get me such favor from Yasaka. Himura had been helping Kokabiel for a long time. Ever since the subway attack in fact. She had helped the cultists avoid the patrolling clansmen and youkai in Tokyo in preparation for the attack. She had also been giving inside information to Kokabiel that allowed the bastard to get people into the country and past the Shinto's forces along with helping many fallen escape from Japan when they did get caught. She had only recently been discovered by Yasaka trying to help a large group of fallen into the country to try and reclaim the military base we cleared. Himura had fled with her allies at court after being caught. I can tell she has been on the run by how ratty her dress and hair are. I grinned underneath the helm because this was going to be fun. Before removing my rebreather.

"You should have just let me kill him you would have lived longer."

Himura froze hearing my voice and was about to say something when Tsuda hummed to life and I charge towards the foxes while Kuroka throws a fire ball behind me. I felt the heat and quickly doggedly left as the kitsune were in shock. The ball hit a male kitsune head on as his face got melted off. The other one and Himura springing into action. I take the next kill cutting the head off the final male kitsune pissing off Himura who drew a katana and charged me while howling in rage.

I was amused extending my mechadendrites and started fighting the bitch. Himura swiped three times at my head from two directions and I caught the swords easily. Before swinging Mimic and a sword. The first swing was caught by Himura. The second wasn't and I caught meat on her upper arm. Himura whimpered and I advanced.

"Show me a real fight Himura. You're a 'superior' Youkai. I'm just a weak pathetic human."

Himura swung the sword towards me and blood dripped from her wound. I caught the sword again and then punched with my free hand. I broke her right hand and she screamed. I kept advancing.

"Your so 'strong'! Whatever shall I do against a being that is above me?"

Himura's face takes on rage before she started swinging towards my midsection and the blade bounced off me as I make a chop taking the first hand. Himura whimpers as her left hand fell to the ground. Her eyes were now filled with pain and fear. She backed away from me and I advanced again.

"'I have never had such a hard fight before. What did you say you would do to me? Oh yes you would hang me from the doors of that temple. I told you I would never be scared of you or anyone else ever again. Now it's my turn I'm going to hang you on that door."

Himura swiped at me and landed a blow I let through. She cut a line near my lips and her eyes were happy there. It was minuscule pain and was allowed because of what she saw next. Her eyes turned to horror seeing the line close almost instantly. My smile smirk on full display now.

"I have fought exorcists tougher than you. You will help me with building a peace where humanity will never be slaves again to people like you. Goodbye you bitch."

With that said I cut off her head with a single swipe. The body fell to the ground before I picked it up with mechadendrites and pinned it to a door. I was in the high and threw the newly preserved head in a pocket spell. I will have this given to Serafall so we can start working on cleaning that up.

I sent a silent thank you to the Shinto for this and turned to see Kuroka burning bodies. When she moved to clean up Himura's I shook my head.

"Leave it there. She threatened to do this to me when I was weak. It's her turn now."

Kuroka froze before she got angry at the dead fox. I calmed that by promising us fun tonight after fish. She went off to go check the rooms we had passed before for loot, and I pulled my messenger out and place it. I called over the vox as I was about to leave the room.

"Status?"

The vox cracked.

"We have completed cleaning the bottom floors and have secured the objective."

"What was the unknown reading?"

Kiryuu replied.

"It was a data server. We have been storing several it and computers we found. I will hand them over to the spymaster."

That was good and I will take that. I continued my high as I met up with the Skitarii who were carrying up multiple computers out of the base. Kiryuu directed them and she once we were some said with a small voice.

"I have several new ideas for you. Two involve more traps."

I smile at my bishop.

"I'll take the ideas. I have two more ideas myself and we should have a bit better chance with what I left for them."

That discussion was the last thing that happened before the portal for our base closed.

Less than ten minutes later a second portal opened inside the base and exorcists along with fallen angels started entering into the portal room next to the command center. Only to stop in pure horror seeing a headless fox youkai's body pinned to the door from the portal room. Apheaelon came up behind the force along with Freed and a man in bishop robes. Apheaelon looked at the body before he burned it in holy light. He was about to ask Freed to describe the attacker more when he heard a loud scream from the main room.

"By the Lord Almighty what the hell is that thing!"

Apheaelon rushed into the room and froze seeing his fallen in pure fear and the meat shields looking ultra sick. Because there was another one of them. The thing cracked to life and the voice Apheaelon had grown to despise rang out again from the abomination.

"Greetings again from me. It's disappointing that your boss couldn't see my handiwork firsthand. For those of you who are here I am the Omnissiah. My forces and I are the ones slaughtering your comrades. In extremely easy fights too. If this is the best that the Angel of the Stars has it is no wonder Grigori lost the Great War. I don't think you will win against us when we really have a battle."

The message ended and was accompanied by beeping. The humans in the room panicked while the fallen didn't still transfixed on this thing that had been one of their own. Apheaelon was only spared by Freed and the Bishop of Genocide grabbing and pushing him through the portal with the other humans running through. The fallen landed on the other side of the portal at a base of theirs in Taiwan before an explosion was heard and the portal shut.

Apheaelon realized what happened. They fell for a trap. His eyes looked at where the portal had been.

Twenty minutes later and with great difficulty Freed exited from a new portal back to their Taiwan base. There was the sound of guns firing and feathers flying as more fallen ran through the portal to escape whatever was happening. The portal shut leaving ten exorcists to their deaths. Freed gave the verdict while the fallen were breathing heavily.

"The whole force is dead. Fifty fallen crushed by the cliffside. The explosion attracted the attention of nearby youkai who came to investigate. This Omnissiah is cunning."

Apheaelon was horrified think about how he was now going to have to explain this to Kokabeil. His eagerness to kill the Omnissiah had cost fifty fallen their lives. With the base loses and the rest they had lost over a hundred fallen to this group. This enemy was not the run of the mill foe and was challenging them openly. Freed was silent about this, while thinking about how he had almost died to this Omnissiah. Freed thought they might be the head of a new merc company that was working directly for the Shinto. The Bishop of Genocide in contrast to the two was smiling intensely having found a fellow who was like him in experimenting with new ideas. He would love to pick the other's brain for more ideas. Apheaelon was so busy with trying to figure out how he will justify this to Kokabeil and how they would strike back at this Omnissiah. They thankfully had other ways to get their people into the country besides this now gone pipeline. Freed pulled him into a conversation about how he felt wards go up at a former base of theirs after he had retreated from another raid a few days ago. That laid a basic plan for Apheaelon to retaliate against their foe.