Wazzuuuuup~...
"Uncle, the plane…" Issei frowned as he looked inside. "...Is too frickin' normal!"
Despite Issei's complaint, the private jet's interior was comparable to a commercial plane's first-class seats.
"Quick flapping that whiny tongue, you still have the luxury seats." Golden said as he flipped through the pages of a magazine, seated in one of the three oversized seats custom-built for his giant frame.
Clouds and the clear undiluted sky were outside their windows, the clouds below and the blue above the infinite horizon, the sun out of their angle of sight.
Xenovia, Irina, and Asia sat next and across Issei's seat row, the three girls smiling awkwardly. Rover was ahead in the Vatican, teleported there in secret to meet up with Black and sniff out the corrupt priests while invisible.
"I wanted some weapons. Lasers, missiles, those kinds of things!" Issei shouted.
"You are already too young and too strong for firearms of that caliber." Genos called out from the cockpit.
"Let a boy live his dreams." Vali's voice was heard next - the White Dragon Emperor did not want to deal with Issei's whining, and chose to help Genos as a co-pilot.
As for why Vali was here joining their trip… he wanted to avoid boredom. That, and he wished to be part of the coalition to take down a major corrupt cabal of evil priests.The Summer Vacation had finally begun; after saying goodbyes with the devils and his parents, Issei and the selected few had boarded Genos' private jet to fly towards Rome, where they would meet up with Raphael and travel to the Vatican.
"Haaah…" Issei rasped.
"Stop whining."
Issei flashed a mixture of a scowl and funny scrunched brows at Vali's direction.
Kyu
Rassei popped out of Asia's hair and started flying around Issei. The little dragon landed on Issei's hair, nestling into it.
Issei calmed down as he felt Rassei hugging his head. Issei smiled as he raised a finger and tickled the serpent's little neck. It wiggled in his hair.
"Alright, you cheap rascal, you got me." Issei sighed. "...So…"
It was going to be a while until they arrived in Italy.
"...How do we pass the time?" Issei asked.
"Do push ups." Gold suggested as he continued reading.
Issei rolled his eyes around, before he shook his head, "Not happening here. Y'know what? Anybody bring any games around?"
"I brought some cards." Irina replied as she took out a deck of playing cards.
"Nice. So… Do you know poker? Blackjack?" Issei asked.
Irina and Xenovia hummed, before the former replied, "...We played Old Maid before."
"...Fine. Vali, Gold, you wanna play?"
"I'm good."
"I prefer something more exciting." Vali dismissed.
"Hah…"
Issei wished something exciting would happen.
Suddenly, the plane shook, causing Asia yelped in surprise, with Rassei immediately flew back into her hair, with Gold looking up from his reading.
"Turbulence…?" Issei wondered.
Red alarms started blaring around the ship.
"We are being locked on by targeting systems." Genos warned from the cockpit. "Everyone, fasten your seatbelts and brace for impact!"
"Screw seatbelts, let me out! I can handle them!" Vali shouted with an excited smile.
"Of course you would." Issei then got up from his own seat and made his way to the cockpit.
He met Vali on the way, as the latter just walked out and they shared a quick high-five.
"Happy hunting." Issei said.
"Happy flying." Vali replied in kind.
Asia, Xenovia, and Irina fastened their seatbelts as Vali opened the emergency exit. Air from inside started to fly out, the outside atmosphere sucking the air of the plane as Vali jumped out, as his scale mail bedecked his form instantly.
Outside, the three could see something in the distance. There were several flying jets approaching towards them beside their window. They looked black, sleek, and very military in design, something that only nations could and would own and deploy.
They also had machine gun turrets. The guns whirred to life.
"FUEEEE?!" Asia yelped at the sight of weapons of modern warfare as their plane suddenly dropped down in descent.
"Hang on." Genos said as Gold calmly smiled, lowering his book.
"So they have decided to employ private mercenaries. Little Iri, how does it feel to be a target of professional assassination of this scale?"
"Is this really the time for snarky comments?!" Irina shouted as she braced on her seat.
"No matter what happens, I'll survive and tear them to shreds. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride." Gold cackled a little as their plane started curving the moment the sounds of machine gun fire thundered outside.
Back in the cockpit, Issei just strapped himself on the co-pilot seat as he put on his transceiver.
"How far are we until Fiumicino Airport?" Issei asked.
"Thirty minutes. Less so if we use the emergency thrusters to bypass the speed limit."
"Altitude?" Issei asked.
"Nine thousand feet above sea level. Vali opening the emergency door earlier has greatly reduced the air pressure in the cabin. We need to go lower, lest the others will suffocate." Genos urged as he and Issei pushed down the steer handle, lowering the plane.
The jet started to slope into a slant in their descent, falling like an arrow. Behind them, Vali unleashed his magic, his spells of fire and lightning tearing apart unenchanted metal and exploding oil engines.
Irina and the others could see the flaming corpse of sunken jets falling into the ocean.
In the cockpit, Issei then noticed the alarm blaring again, then his eyes widened when he saw the radar, "Incoming missiles! Vali, you missed a spot!"
"No, Vali! Stay focused on the hostile! We got this!" Genos interrupted, "Deploying flares!"
Outside, a pair of missiles were homing on the jet where Issei and the others were on. Several flares erupted behind them, messing with their homing trajectory and causing them to explode prematurely.
The church trio started to feel the speed pick up once the jet straightened, parallel to the ocean horizon.
"Activating speed boosters. Everyone, hold onto your seatbelts." Genos warned, before turning to his nephew, "Issei, hit it on my call in 5, 4, 3…."
The church trio were suddenly pushed back against their seats by the G-force of the speed-boost. Their lips started to flap and peel back from the sudden force, their eyelids refusing to blink as they left their pursuers behind.
"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Issei, however, was having the time of his life as he pumped his arms into the air.
"Issei, focus! Hands on the wheel!"
"Okay!" Issei quickly behaved upon Genos' scolding.
"Slowing down in three. Two. One!"
The plane slowed to a sudden halt, forcing the girls and Issei to violently lurch forward as the adrenaline started to calm.
"Wheeew!" Issei let out a long sigh of excitement.
He did get his wish, though at great risk and peril.
The girls were heaving heavily as they felt like they left their hearts behind in the acceleration, all holding their chests to feel their hearts pounding on their ribs.
The emergency door slid open once again, the scent of ocean air entering as Vali entered.
"Ah, I needed the exercise." Vali said as he banished his scale mail, stretching his as he made his way to the cockpit.
"How's the hunt?" Issei asked as he rose from his seat.
"Unmanned drones. I honestly don't care if there are people there or not, they came with the intent to kill," Vali replied. "I can imagine them really not wanting us to make it to Rome."
Issei scoffed with a smile as he walked back to his old seat, Vali sitting back in the cockpit as he sat before the girls. The girls were breathing very heavily. He could imagine them hearing their hearts pounding in their chest.
"We arrived in airport space. Speaking to public channels." Genos informed as he flicked the radio on.
Now they have arrived in the land of Italy.
Gold inhaled the air, "...Ahhh, how I longed to smell this air myself." He said as he marveled at the Italian streets.
The group stood before the streets of Italy. They could see the famous river canal running through the waters, a small boat taxi carrying a couple through the gently running waters.
They were in the tourist section, small cafes at every corner, people both foreign and native alike mingling.
"It's been a while since I came back here." Xenovia noted with a nostalgic smile, along with Irina.
"Wonder if the sweets are as good as I've heard." Issei pondered aloud. "Asia, do you…"
Asia on the other hand - her smile seemed… Bitter, for some reason.
"...Do you need a moment?" Issei asked.
Asia gently shook her head and her smile brightened slightly, "I will be fine, Ise. Thank you for asking."
"...You know we will listen if you want." Issei smiled in return as he patted her shoulder supportively. "We're here for you. Don't be afraid to rely on us."
Asia simply nodded.
"Iri!"
Irina perked at the voice, "Dad?!" She looked to the direction to see Touji Shidou walk towards them with two others.
Issei knew an angel when he saw one. He had blonde hair, more yellow than red like Malkuth's, the kind of blonde that radiated a golden sheen.
The other… Issei squinted at him, "...And who might you be?" He asked, looking at the kid.
The third person was a young boy, having a childlike face. The presence this one had was a bit hard to decipher, reminding him of an angel's like Gabriel's, majestic and soothing, but this one seemed a little off. The three were wearing priest attire, not hiding their statuses as holy men.
"Ahem. I always wanted to meet you! I am Teodoro Legrenzi! Cardinal priest of the Church!" The boy happily introduced himself.
"Okay, and I take it you're Raphael?"
"In the flesh." The man was taller than Touji as he slightly bowed. "I fought your friend… or tried to." Raphael gestured to Gold.
"I can turn you into a golden statue if you want." Gold offered.
When the angel scowled, Issei shoved his elbow lightly against the creature's side, "Come on, Gold. Be nice." Issei then nodded at the Seraph, "Sorry about him, he's….. Irritable to everyone."
"It is his unique quirk." Genos approached and offered a hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you again under peaceful circumstances."
"Likewise." Raphael shook it with a smile.
"Sorry if I'm rude, but your friend is giving out a weird presence. Is he an angel?" Issei asked, tilting his head to the side as he appraised Teodoro.
"No, but close. He is a pure Nephilim." Raphael corrected.
"What? Really?" Issei leaned forward. Teodoro smiled wider.
"Yes. I am humbled that you noticed it. He is one of the miracle children, a child born from an angel and a human." Raphael informed with a hint of pride.
"I thought you guys fall when you have sex or something. How'd his parents manage that?" Issei asked.
"There is, as a matter of fact, a ritual which can prevent an angel from falling while consummating their relationship. However, there are still risks of falling if they are done wrong. That is why we consider Teodore as a miracle child."
"Huh… sounds needlessly complicated with the extra steps, but I can't judge. Anyways, nice to meet you, kid. Now I have met all the hybrids of the three factions." Issei said as he offered his hand.
"Likewise!" Teodoro shook his hand. Issei swore he saw something move under his robe.
"What's your story? You look like you want to ask about me." Issei asked.
"Um…" Teodoro fidgeted, "Is it true that you fought Kokabiel and lived to tell the tale!?"
Issei wondered if he was one of those kinds of kids. He reminded him of Sarui a little, only less trolling and more innocent.
"...Yeah… before he 'ascended' and wailed on me." Issei groused. "I think we can continue this discussion at a hotel. Though, quick question, is it secure? We were attacked on the way here, by fighter jets of all things."
"As secure as we can get. It is owned by one of your associates," Touji nodded.
"Azazel?" Issei asked.
"He… prefers it to be a surprise. Please, follow us. We have someone you'd like to meet."
Everyone was brought into a large minivan parked in the next street, with Touji serving as the driver. Once everyone settled inside the vehicle, they proceeded to hit the road.
"We're already inside Rome, so what's preventing us from just… Y'know, teleporting to our destination?" Issei asked.
"Perhaps you are not wrong, but…. The establishment we are heading to, does not really appreciate the usage of unauthorized magic within the premise. Don't worry, it's not far." Touji placated.
"Unauthorized?" Issei quirked a brow. He was sandwiched between Xenovia and Irina, Asia was sitting on his lap - much to her embarrassment, due to the lack of space inside the car.
Mostly because Gold took too much space and the roof was too small to his chagrin, his muscular frame occupying three seats alone while his antenna bent against the ceiling.
Vali sat next to Raphael and Teodoro.
They arrived at the destination sooner than they expected. Irina then opened the door as they stepped out.
"...The Terra D'oro?" Irina blinked. Issei, Asia, and Xenovia stepped out of the vehicle as they marveled at the grand building, the sheer size of it able to rival the skyscrapers of New York, layered in a gold-colored light with the sign of the establishment gleaming in gold as well.
"I think that means… golden land." Issei had a suspicious feeling.
Vali and the others stepped out, the first marveling at the building.
Gold stepped out, rolling his neck and shoulders, "Mmmhhhh, I should've walked or ran. I despise being confined."
There were hotel staff, all women of various hairstyles and colors from brown to blonde. Their uniforms were like a golden version of the flight attendant uniform, golden pencil skirt and blouse.
"Who owns this place?" Xenovia asked, staring at the grand dramatic building.
"Watch and find out." Gold chuckled as he walked towards the building.
Immediately, the female staff noticed Gold as they immediately formed a straight path, each lined up left and right and bowed towards the macho.
"We greet the owner's return!"
[Welcome back, sir!]
Issei, Asia, and Irina stared at the bowing of the staff, the way that Gold swaggered between them with authority and style. It didn't even take a second for them to connect the dots.
"...You?" Issei pointed at Gold. Honestly, it should've been obvious, and Issei knew that Black got ridiculously wealthy through abusing his powers…
"Welcome to my establishment. Make yourselves at home." Gold flashed a cocky sidelong smile at Issei.
"What… huh. Not gonna lie, I'm not even surprised. You got me." Issei was impressed. Irina, Xenovia, and Asia were still stupefied that Gold was the owner.
"Since when are you an owner of a business like this?" Vali asked, also impressed.
"Honestly, I purchased the property rights in case we have to go back and wreck the pigeons again. We are doing it again in a sense…" Golden then snapped his fingers.
Immediately, the women started running towards the van and started carrying all of their luggage, their packs and other materials they brought for the journey, like clothes, before they all ran back inside.
"Now come. There's someone I like you to meet." Gold's smile then turned evil.
Issei and the girls did not like that smile, the girls already knew that he planned something sinister whenever he made that smile.
Neon lights lit the slice of sin that was the underground bar below the hotel.
It was a place where only the VIPs of the hotel could attend to marvel at the beauties serving them, each donned in scanty costumes ranging from angel girl to the infamous bunny girl outfit.
There were even girls cosplaying for the customers if they managed to tip them enough. There was also a bartender, cleaning shot glasses while customers sat on the stools savoring the high class wine.
"Welcome to my little slice of heaven." Gold lead the group with the sinister smile still on his white face.
"What the hell have you been up to under our noses?" Issei asked with a genuine impressed tone.
Teodoro blushed hard when he caught sight of a girl in a fallen angel outfit, forcing him to look down.
"Making my place in the world with style. They're paid very well in case you're wondering."
Issei took a closer look at the fallen angel girl
"Wait, she's actually a fallen angel?" Issei asked.
"Oh yeah. We have other workers here, too. Even special guests of the other world as my patrons." Gold snickered. "But please, follow me to the true VIP section. There's no special seats here to suit my size."
"Ah."
Everyone understood as they followed Gold down a flight of stairs leading to a special place, a large space housing a round table of glass, a half-circle sofa for guests, and a large lavishing throne in golden yellow.
"Please, take your orders. I have a surprise for you."
Issei, Vali, and the girls knew that there was a catch with that surprise, but they had no choice but to sit.
Genos nodded as he sat next to Touji and Raphael. Issei sat with the girls, Asia closest to him as Vali sat with Teodoro.
After Gold took his seat on the large throne, Gold snapped his fingers.
From the door, a waitress emerged in a very scanty uniform. Her uniform… it was a very, very erotic western schoolgirl uniform, red skirt that barely reached few inches of her thighs, high heel plimsoll shoes with white stockings up above her knees.
Her short-sleeved shirt was white, and deliberately buttoned and tied up to expose her waist and stomach, and definitely no bra underneath considering the visible cleavage and how shapely her breasts were.
Not only that, her blonde hair was tied to a side ponytail… her face was quite beautiful and… wait…
"Here are your menus, everyone."
Issei and the others blinked as she handed the menus to Genos. Then their eyes turned to plates as they recognized her.
"...Sister Griselda?" Xenovia asked with a mixture of dumbfoundment and mortification.
Griselda, despite being in such a revealing outfit, smiled warmly at them.
"Hello, everyone. It's good to see you again." She said as she placed the menus on Genos' side, before she proceeded to serve out the drinks.
Asia, Irina and Teodoro were blushing like crazy at the sister's indecent outfit, while Touji and Raphael were making sure that their attention was focused on her head.
Vali was also blushing a little, caught off guard by how complimenting she looked in such scanty clothes.
Issei and Genos, were giving Gold the looks that demanded explanation.
"What the fuck, dude?! I thought you said that she's missing!" Issei asked.
"I lied." Gold answered with two simple words.
"Why?!" Issei shouted.
"Because how else could I keep her safe from the eyes of disgusting old men?" Gold asked, raising a brow from his cushion throne.
Issei opened his mouth… then slowly closed it when he thought about it. It made actual sense…
"...Okay, well played." Issei admitted. "But… What happened to you? Did you kidnap her?" Issei asked Griselda before turning towards the golden creature.
"No." Griselda shook her head.
"One of the little mes rescued her from being sold to a cartel in China. Professional hitmen mercenaries, I must say that for being an institution that abhors greed, they have a lot of resources." Gold said.
"I see….. Griselda Quarta can play a factor that favors Irina Shidou." Genos mused, "...And here will be the last place people would think Griselda Quarta will be hiding in."
"Please, sit down. I… regardless of his generosity, I am not here for free." Griselda gestured to the table. "I have to work under a wage. It is a generous one, I admit."
"...Really?" Issei stared at Gold.
"Let's just say I still haven't forgiven her for slicing up one of mine. If you're wondering what I am costing her, do not worry. She agreed with my negotiated terms."
"I can see you're having fun with her." Vali said.
"She is a gem unlike any other. I can't believe they're wasting her true potential in that sordid place. So much wasted assets hidden under such uptight clothing." Gold cackled a little as he gestured to Griselda's sexy body.
"N-no, they're not!" Teodoro objected, albeit he was a stuttering mess as he was not sure where to look at the sister. "S-S-Sister Griselda is one of the best female exorcists the Church can offer! She's not m-m-meant to be in a place l-like t-t-t-this!" He finished by covering his eyes with his hands.
"…Aren't you e-embarrassed in that… that…" Xenovia tried her best to maintain her composure while avoiding looking at her body.
Griselda simply hummed as she looked over herself, "It feels a little breezy, but I guess this is the best disguise I can ask for now. It matches the current climate, and it doesn't feel too different from our usual combat suits. In fact, if we're to compare this to the church's female combat suit, this one has more…. Style, I think."
Issei was not sure if she was a natural exhibitionist or just a victim under Gold's corruption.
"B-but what if there are customers who are….. You know?" Irina asked while rubbing her forearm nervously.
Smiling in understanding, Griselda replied, "No need to worry, young Irina. The girls here have a right to refuse. I do not need to tell you what would happen if they break the standard rules in this secure establishment."
She gestured to Gold. Irina immediately understood.
"Ahem." Touji cleared his throat to compose himself.
"It is great to see you alive and well… Sister."
"Thank you for your assistance, Father Shidou. It is good to have you around." She bowed respectfully, but her outfit caused her breasts to dangle right in front of the males.
Raphael was not fazed as he nodded back, Touji cleared his throat again as he managed to keep himself together, while Teodoro's face was steaming as his eyes landed on Griselda's cleavage, to the point he fainted a few seconds later.
He landed on the table, his spirit seemingly leaving him.
"Okay, before we fall to temptation… what's the plan for today?" Issei asked, trying to move on before he himself fell to corruption.
"Y-Yes. Our objective." Touji agreed.
Genos remained stoic the entire time, "We are waiting for Black to return with Rover and his assessment of our suspects. They are equipped with invisibility devices so they should return by tomorrow." He informed.
"Ah, Yes, one more thing." Gold interrupted. "Do you want to meet Griselda's attempted kidnappers?"
Everyone blinked, "...You have them?" Issei asked.
"Yes, I do. They are in…. The Dungeon." Gold replied.
For some reason, Issei and Vali weren't surprised that he had one.
"...Why'd you have a dungeon here?" Touji asked.
"Multi-purposes." Gold shrugged, "But if you want a more honest answer, it's reserved for people like you and pigeon boy originally." Gold pointed at Touji and Raphael.
The two frowned a little at his honesty that he built a dungeon to imprison servants of Heaven.
"Like I said, I made this place in case we need to go back and wreck their pearly gates, but since we're together, let's eat first and have some fun, shall we?" Gold smiled.
"Alright." Issei agreed as he looked at Griselda… then looked away. "…But is it alright if she changed her clothes?"
She was way too erotic in that attire, the way the clothes synergized with her figure and her charm… It was too strong. Even Issei might fall for the older woman as dark thoughts creeped into his mind.
Everyone else also nodded in agreement at Issei's request.
"Sure." Gold agreed.
Everyone stared at him confused. He agreed too quickly as he snapped his finger.
"Enjoy your stay here, everyone." Griselda smiled at everyone once again before she walked towards the staff room with an erotic grace that seemed to draw them further to temptation, the way her hips swayed and heels clicked…
Issei and the girls stared at Gold, who was sipping on his drink.
"You are a demon, you know?" Issei accused.
Gold simply smiled.
"Uuuuggghhh…"
"Oh, the boy's awake." Vali noted as Teodoro woke up.
"W-What happened?"
"Shush. Don't think about it. Let's take our orders." Issei said as Genos passed everyone the menu.
A while later, food was served to their table by other staff there, in their own respectively scanty outfits, from bikini armor to western cowgirls of the West. It took Teodoro incredible mental strength not to look in their direction.
Italian cuisine in its finest, Osso buco alla Milanese, Aricini, squid ink pasta, hot plates of steaming aroma tantalizing their noses and hunger. Issei licked his lips as his stomach growled.
Though he and Vali did have a brief war over their first picks, fork clashing against fork for dishes that caught their eyes, until they filled their plates. However, when they started to eat, Griselda emerged from the door alongside a cackling Black.
Everyone nearly spat out their food at Griselda's current uniform.
She looked like a badass sexy as well fantasy knight, only she wore a black leotard with a large triangular cutout showing her stomach and her large underboobs, with only her arms and legs wearing metal, high heel metal boots of all things as Issei suddenly felt his manhood growing.
Suffice to say, her current outfit was even more erotic than her previous one - less revealing but with more sexy impact.
When Issei whipped his head to glare at the creature, it said, "What? I did as you asked."
"I was talking about something more decent!" Issei argued.
"Unfortunately, she is my employee, and that is her only other optional choice. I suggest you enjoy the eye candy while you still can."
Teodoro blushed furiously again before he fell face first into his plate, knocked out cold by puberty.
"Hmm, I like this one. It has a sense of empowerment." Griselda marveled at her current attire, turning left and right as Xenovia, Asia, and Irina were shooting steam out their ears while Vali was blushing harder.
None of them could ever see Griselda in the same light again .
"Welcome to my dungeon, made to hold holy men and divine pigeons and other miscreants, like debtors or rule-breakers."
Gold introduced his dungeon - befitted that of an RPG setting: dark gray brick walls and metal bars, the smell of damp stone and torches on the walls lighting the way.
"You nailed the atmosphere for despair and hopelessness." Issei commented as he looked at the cells they passed.
He saw men shackled to the walls by manacles, bound and gagged.
"Ummm… what did these people do to deserve this?" Asia asked, concerned.
"Oh, nothing. They asked to be here to be… serviced." Gold informed.
"...Serviced?" Issei asked.
"Gimps."
Those from the church were confused at the simple reply - on the other hand, Issei and Vali exchanged awkward glances before they glanced at Genos, who remained stoic as ever.
"I had to make an alibi to justify my dungeon to the government. This is the public service version. The real one is below."
"Ahhhh." Issei and Vali finally understood.
They followed the golden macho through a wide door, mostly to fit Gold's frame and height, as Gold unlocked it with a key and led them inside.
"The door is soundproof and magically protected for obvious reasons." Gold said as he closed the doors.
This version of the dungeon… was a bit more modern. Interior lighting from the ceiling, beige wall plasters, and a small desk with a Black clone behind it, lazily sipping his coffee.
"Sup." The clone greeted.
"...Hey." Issei waved.
They continued following Gold deeper down the halls, making a turn to the left of the intersection until they arrived at a room, the interrogation room with a one-way mirror.
"...And here we go."
Everyone stared at the window to the other side…
Some of them were a bit terrified at the sight of eldritch black shapeless ooze and arms dangling from the floor, walls, and ceiling, while a giant white face of Black gazed at them with a menacing smile.
It honestly terrified the church men and girls, Raphael included.
Then the face spat out something as the black arms grabbed it.
"Ahhhhhhhhh! Jiù jiù wǒooooooooooooooooooo!" The man, naked and covered in drool, shouted at the window with frantic tears as the black arms started to pull on his limbs, stretching them like he was about to break a toy. The man was screaming in pain as the arms started to pull.
"...What the shit?!" Issei was the first to reply, "The hell you are doing with them there?!"
"Torture." Gold said one word. "It's not every day you get to have fun with a thug from a foreign syndicate that deals with human trafficking."
"But… alright, I think I get the gist of it, but dude, come on!" Issei pointed at the room where the traumatized victim started to get tossed around.
"What? I said they were going to sell her as a sex slave or something." Gold reminded.
"I… but seriously!?"
This screamed excessive no matter how they looked at it.
"...Did you already interrogate the information out of them?" Genos asked, staring at how the man was being tossed around in a game of catch.
"I tried, but I already broke them. They won't talk to me without having a mental breakdown. So, who wants to go first and talk to the poor bastard?" Gold smiled.
Issei stared at Gold for a moment, unable to find the right words to describe how much of a villain he was currently. He looked at Vali. Vali shook his head, gesturing him to go.
Issei looked at Genos and the others… Genos might break the poor guy like a twig with his blunt, aggressively direct persona, honestly. The others might take too much pity on him.
"...Alright, fine. Let me take the shot." Issei said with a sigh.
"Oh, right. I have a surprise for you." Gold added as he gestured to the door they just entered.
Issei and the others looked back. Issei and Irina broke into smiles when they saw Rover looking them with a happy wagging tail.
Bark
Rover barked with a happy huff.
"Rover!"
Issei's face brightened up as he knelt down to receive Rover snuggling against him. Even Irina joined as well.
"We miss you too, buddy. I heard you did a good job?"
Rover replied with another happy bark, prompting Irina to caress its hide.
Teodoro, Touji, and Raphael stared at the creature. The infamous dog with six red eyes…
"...The demon dog…" Teodoro uttered with slight amazement.
"Hm? What's that?" Issei asked as he held Rover in his arms.
Teodoro leaned forward a little, staring into the eyes of the alien creature.
"...He didn't look like what I heard…" Teodoro scratched his hair.
"And that is…?"
"Well… from the days before the strongest man arrived, His Eminence Strada and Ewald Chrisaldi fought a giant dog that can breathe fire and death, with six red eyes and fur as black as pitch, an unholy combination of a Dragon and a Dog… he looks smaller than I imagined."
Issei did not realize that the stories of Rover were on the level of myth.
"Oh, that's just him being overprotective." Issei replied with a knowing smile, before he held Rover towards the boy, "Come on, give him a pat."
Rover panted and huffed as it looked at the boy expectantly. The boy stared at the thing's six red eyes before he tentatively reached out and touched its head.
Arf
The boy slowly rubbed the fluffy head. He smiled.
"Issei, let me hold him." Irina pouted.
Issei chuckled as he handed Rover to Irina. The girl giggled as she held the fluffy creature.
"Bang wooooooooooo!"
The screams of the prisoner reminded him of his duty.
"Alright, let's see what I can do with this one…" Issei took a deep breath.
This was his first interrogation session with a man this terrified. He might not be able to get anything out of him.
When Issei entered the interrogation room, he was greeted by the sight of the fused Black Sperm looming over the one prisoner, who could do nothing but to enter the fetal position.
"Black. I'm taking over." Issei addressed the eldritch-looking creature.
Black looked back at Issei. He scoffed with a smirk before he waddled off to a corner, leaving the prisoner alone with the boy.
The man looked up, breathing heavily when he saw another human, "Nǐ, nǐ shì shéi? Bù, nǐ shì shénme?! Shì hēi mó pài nǐ lái chī wǒ de ma?!"
"Lěngjìng diǎn, lěngjìng diǎn. Xié'è de hēisè shēngwù bù huì zài shānghài nǐ le." Issei then greeted them as soon as he knelt before him. "Wǒ shì rén lèi. Zài wǒ kāishǐ zhīqián, wǒ xiǎng wèn yīxià wèishéme nǐ rènwéi jiāng nǐ de jiǎozhǐ jìnrù chāozìrán shì yīgè hǎo zhǔyì?"
The prisoner looked stunned at the boy speaking his native language.
"...I didn't know Issei knows how to speak Chinese." Irina watched with awe as Issei conversed with the prisoner in foreign tongue with fluidity.
"Mandarin; his proficiency with language is always as strong as his fists." Genos remarked with pride.
Raphael stared at Issei for a moment, rubbing his chin in thought. "Could he be…"
"What are they saying?" Xenovia asked, invested in the conversation.
"The prisoner is asking Issei if he's human. Issei is assuaging him though he is asking why the prisoner thinks it is a good idea to 'dip his toe into the supernatural.'" Genos translated.
The prisoner and Issei remained silent for a moment. The prisoner took a deep breath and… he started bawling in front of Issei like a baby.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
The prisoner starts to wail as he spoke to Issei… no, it sounded more like he was airing out his grievances.
"Now the prisoner is starting to complain." Genos added. "He is stating his regret in taking this job. He does not want to go to hell or have demons enter his home and eat him. He is now saying that he and his comrades were terrorized for a few days, and they already want to go home away from this hell."
Issei started assuaging the crying man as the man continued.
"He also states that he is sorry for everything to Buddha as he is willing to talk if it means going home. Black has successfully broken them." Genos continued.
Everyone stared at Gold as he smiled. The Church girls frowned at him as they do not approve of such unnecessary cruelty but they couldn't argue against the results.
"Nà me, nǐ wèi shéi gōngzuò? Ràng wǒ cāi cāi, nǐ de gùzhǔ láizì fàndìgāng?" Issei asked.
"...Shi de." The man nodded.
"Now the man is explaining his relationship with the most notable of the Vatican. They do not know the names specifically, but they had a profitable trade relationship with the Vatican for years. The Vatican tends to sell orphans to prostitution rings and otherwise to customers with connections. He knows because he works as security transport for the goods as well. It was his first time on a mission to kidnap a target with a big name. They thought they were secure in their mission as they were assured by the Vatican."
As Genos explained, the church folks' expressions went more and more uncomfortable at the revelation regarding the place they had been serving; Raphael was giving a look of anger and sorrow, Touji and Griselda were frowning, while the younger ones were having a various mix of mortifications, especially Teodoro, whose face was paling.
"Issei is now asking how often they do this. He said that they only take from orphanages where the eyes of God are at their most blind. Places that were… unholy, or near it, with some tampering. There were only a few locations that they could take from since the Vatican has a strong military with a sense of justice."
Issei grimaced through the window.
"Wǒ yào zhèxiē gū'ér yuàn de wèizhì."
"…Wǒ…tāmen huì shāle wǒ…"
"Wǒ zhīdào yǒurén kěyǐ bǎ nǐ sòng dào zhēnzhèng dì dìyù. Gàosù wǒ nǎge gèng zāo?"
"Issei is asking for locations of these orphanages." Genos said. "The man said they will kill him. But Issei is bluffing when he says that he knows someone that can send him to literal hell…"
The man remained silent. Then he spoke to Issei.
"He said he is from the Chinese Triad. He said he only knows one location since he is an elite operative. If he wants to know more, we will have to converse with his leaders. A branch of the triad is also in Italy trying to expand."
"Um…. What is the Chinese Triad?" Teodoro meekly asked, his tone still nervous and shocked from the revelation he had been listening to.
"It's basically a criminal organization based in China. Think of it as an equivalent to Italy's mafia." Genos replied.
"To think the Vatican has such ties with a criminal element…. Truly, what a blunder." Touji solemnly commented.
"Regardless, I believe we know our next course of action. We get the Triads to talk to us, then we get to know more leads and evidence of our targets." Genos remarked as Issei said his goodbyes to the prisoners, ensuring their well-being, before he walked out of the room with Black in tow.
"Hah, I got something. Not sure if this was your plan all along, you evil imp." Issei nudged Black with his foot.
"Hah! I have experience with this, kid. Show them that they have no hold over you, and they'll crack like an egg under pressure."
Issei rolled his eyes as he looked at Genos.
"Alright, I know Genos filled you in… So, Raphael. You know any orphanages near 'unholy' places? Actually, why unholy places?" Issei asked.
"...In unholy settings, prayers are drowned out. This way, angels won't be able to hear their voices. But…" Raphael grimaced, "The latest reports we received stated that all of the orphanages under the Vatican's care had been properly maintained and blessed. This is another blunder from our side."
"Who made those reports?" Issei asked.
"Selected angels from the Ishim Class, those that interact with the humans." Raphael said. "I need to look into this. I must make sure there is no human influence in the reports somehow."
"Alright, then. Can we expect some answers by tomorrow?" Issei asked.
"I'll have it by tonight. Farewell for now." Raphael replied with a confident smirk before he disappeared in a flash of light.
"Alright…" Isse huffed. "...Does anyone know how to contact a criminal organization? Or do we have to rely on the guy in his underwear for this?" Issei asked, pointing a thumb behind him to the man in the fetal position.
"I will do it." Genos said stoically. "All I need is their location and I'll do the rest. All of you should retire tonight, we have much to do as soon as Raphael returns with his intel."
Issei and the others retired to the luxury suites.
It was a very large room that could house more than ten people, a house on a top floor, complete with a private kitchen, plasma screen TV, multiple bedrooms connected to the living room through a hallway, and a wide window overseeing Rome's landscape with a gorgeous sunset and moonrise outside.
"Pheeew…" Issei dropped onto the couch as he grabbed a remote and turned on the TV. "This is a lot to take in… never thought that my family would become rich like this. Think I can bring mom and dad here the next time."
"Heh. I'm a worthy investment, you can say." Black smirked.
"Don't think that matters to family, Black. How's your progress spying on the 'disgusting old men'?"
Issei asked Black while the others were unpacking their luggage.
The screen turned on, showing the news of Italy. Issei blinked when he saw something about ghost sighting emerging as a hot topic, reminded of Sarui Ilugo.
"We tested them when we made it look like Griselda was bagged and tagged." Black said as he hopped onto the couch next to Issei with a hot cup of ramen. "You have no idea how many of them were in a good mood."
Black started slurping on the noodles noisily.
"Do you have their faces and names?" Issei asked.
"Like I give a shit about their names, but I remember their faces, alright. Gimme a list of the important guys and I'll get to work." Black chewed and gulped.
"How'd you manage to fool them anyway? I thought like there's someone from the Triad giving orders on them missing or something."
"Hahahaha. I know a guy. He can make dummy corpses. Had one prepared, and I threatened my victims into taking the dummy Griselda to the dead drop. Then I kidnapped them in front of their friends while they suspected nothing."
"What?"
The news was starting to transition to a series of bizarre mental breakdowns in certain neighborhoods.
"Really? Dummy corpses?" Issei asked, looking at Black.
"In a world of magic, nothing is impossible, and I needed one just in case I had to make some unsavory people disappear. Just need some fresh meat and voile, instant clone. It was easy to get Griselda's measurements when I asked the woman myself." Black snickered. "Not sure if the retards are smart enough to know the difference between a dummy and the real deal. Don't think they can check through a blood test."
"Didn't they want her alive? I mean…" Issei asked, twirling his finger for emphasis on Griselda's body level.
"Oh, yeah, she is special." Black smirked. "But the perverted bastards really want her gone. Dead or alive, the triads will have to make do since she is the strongest female exorcist… And one of the most attractive."
"And I thought you're asexual." Issei laughed as the news started to advertise Terra D'oro as the sponsor. "...And you sponsored the media? Really?" Issei pointed at the screen.
"Don't underestimate a creature that can turn anything to precious metals. And be everywhere." Black grinned.
Issei simply sighed with a wry grin, returning his attention on the television, only to find nothing too interesting. He then stood up.
"Are you girls done with the unpacking?" Issei called towards the bedrooms inside the suite.
"Just finished, Ise! We're about to take quick showers and go to bed!" Irina replied.
"Cool, take your time." Issei then headed towards the door.
"Going somewhere?" Black asked from the couch.
"Just some light work-out before bed. Do you guys have a gym? Can I go to the roof?"
"This is a five star hotel. Go to the basement above the underground bar and you'll have your weights." Black dismissed as he took the remote with his antenna and started changing channels.
"Oh, before you leave, I gotta ask… you gonna bang Griselda along the way?" Black asked with a malicious teasing tone
Issei narrowed his eyes as his expression contorted incredulously, "...Jeez, what's wrong with you?"
He then left afterwards, hearing Black cackling along the way.
"You know what I mean, Gigolo!"
"That's Kiba's title!"
Issei stomped out, frowning. As much as the current Griselda was like a succubus from heaven, he did not want to complicate things by letting his pants loose.
On his way through the halls, Issei ran into a familiar face.
"Uncle Touji."
The man in question was seen in a small distraught, walking around while trying to find something.
"Oh, good evening, Ise. Have you seen Teodoro? Rather, aren't you supposed to be rested?"
"I just want some light exercise before sleeping. And what's this about Teodoro?" Issei asked.
"He told me that he needed some fresh air alone, and…. He is out too long that I'm worried. He did not bring his cellphone, so I can't contact him." Touji replied.
"Ah…" Issei pursed his lips. "He's fresh. I can tell at first glance. How is he taking the news?"
"Disturbed, to say the least." Touji sighed. "He's a good child, but maybe because of that kindness, he's…. Quite vulnerable to the bad things from the outside world."
"I'll look for him. I'll give him the talk when I find him." Issei gave him a thumbs-up.
"Thank you." Touji smiled, "...But don't sleep in too late. You are still a growing boy, after all."
"Yes, sir." Issei replied with a small smile, but to pause when he was about to walk away, "Actually, uncle Touji… Do you have Teodoro's personal belongings? I might have an idea."
Touji blinked before he nodded, "Wait for me at the lobby."
XoX
When Touji returned to the lobby with a piece of sock, he saw Issei was standing by the entrance with Rover.
"I am somehow not surprised with this idea of yours. Clever." Touji praised as he gave the sock to Issei.
"Yeah, Rover has a very good nose." Issei then handed the sock for Rover to sniff on.
The dog then barked, ready to lead his friend/master to find his query.
"I'll bring him back tonight. You should return to your room, uncle Touji."
"Happy hunting, boy." Touji nodded in gratitude before he walked away.
Issei followed his best friend sniffing the floor as they left the hotel doors. It took some time, but Rover had finally led Issei towards a river within the city.
Issei looked at the famous river canal of Italy. There was the boy sitting by the edge, staring into the waters under the dusk of early night.
"Hey, Teo." Issei called out as he and Rover ran to him.
The young Nephilim blinked at the familiar faces before he offered a small smile, "...Mr. Issei."
"A penny for your thoughts?" Issei asked as he and Rover sat next to the boy.
The boy was silent as he and Issei stared into the waters, the street lights turning on and illuminated the streets.
"...I… I…" Teodoro stopped.
"...I know what it's like to have your world broken." Issei said. "It happened to me more than once, actually. You already knew the story with the strongest man rampaging the Vatican."
"...I hate Devils, you know?" Teodoro stared into the waters. "My parents were killed by them. I don't know who… or why. But the priests and angels that both knew my parents confirmed it."
Issei remained silent - though silently surprised.
"But my parents were there when your dad came. I only learned about your story recently… it's like my story you know, but only the Church are the villains getting their due… I want that for my parents."
Issei listened while wondering what his parents were like.
"But then! You fought Kokabiel and said something amazing!" Teodoro perked up. "You… forgave us in God's place. It's for yourself but it's amazing! It is inspiring and… well, impactful!"
So that was why the kid looked up to him.
"So I volunteered. I got to see the two that my parents tried to fight, a golden demigod and a black-eyed man with blade-like eyes and a body of modern metal. They aren't like what the others say. The metal man is more serious than evil. The other is… well, more evil than I imagined."
"Yeah, that is his quirk. He used to be a bad guy, you know?"
"What? Really?" Teodoro looked up, surprised.
"Yeah. It's because back where he's from, there's no place for him there. Be it society or otherwise. Now… Let's just say he is kind of giving back to the world in a sense while having a lot of fun along the way." Issei smiled as the boy smiled back.
"...So, what do you want to do?" Issei asked.
"...I don't know. I… am still trying to cope that my side is still the villain of all this." Teodoro hung his head.
Issei inhaled.
"...The world ain't something that can contain evil on one side or another like Pandora's Box, you know?" Issei said. "Like Gold, life is mercurial. Even he, who was once evil, turned good in the end while good people can turn evil. Although I do admit that it is kind of unbalanced since good people tend to turn evil more than the other."
"...Yes." Teodoro agreed.
"But that doesn't mean we should give up when that time comes for us. So… once this is over, why not try and reform the Church? The evils of the past cling like a parasite, but there will always be a time when they will get their due. What do you say, kid?"
"I…" Teodoro looked hesitant at first, then he looked up towards the night sky, "I have a lot to think about now. But…. At the very least, I want to help you to bring those who are responsible for Sister Griselda and Ms. Irina's suffering to justice."
"That's a good start. Just don't forget you have friends nearby, okay?" Issei smiled as he patted the young boy's back.
"...Alright." Teodoro nodded.
"Yeah. Let's go back. The others are still worried about you. We'll need the rest for the big day."
Teodoro looked at Issei standing up and offering his hand, then he noticed that Rover was nudging his other side. Smiling, Teodoro then took the offered hand.
The Veil was breached.
From all over the world, the realm reserved for the souls of the dead was invaded by the living. And after the veil was the souls of the damned, every human and supernatural sinner unleashed into the world.
Unknown to the angels and the Church, the spirits already haunted their surroundings due to their small civil war and with no one aware or intimate with the Veil seeing what was wrong. And with Mount Olympus in shambles, the reapers retreated to help restore the realm of Hades, to salvage olympus.
Ghosts haunt the streets of Italy, many spirits of the damned wandering through the Veil, attempting to reach the material world.
The souls that were stuck there were forced to since the only other way out was to accept a damning pact with the summoner.
"N-NOoo! You don't know who you're trying to-GUAHHHHHHHH!?"
A spectral voice wailed, two different voices overlapped into a single echo, flailing while being held by the throat.
The spirit of Benito Mussolini screamed as the other person sucked his spirit, like drinking his soul through a vacuuming straw.
"Ooooohohohohoho, man what a rush!" The other man smiled. His eyes were glassy grey, lifeless, yet his face was full of life, life that was not his.
"My god, I can never get tired of this. Damn, I should've died and came back years ago!" The man remarked as he stretched his 'body'. "Ahhh, seriously, there's so much to do when death puts your life into perspective! So many things to experience and taste! Have the time of my life! Or settling a score! " He finished with a maniacal glee.
He flinched when he heard a groan from the body whose extra soul he plucked.
"Time for some more ghost hunting."
Freed Sellzen, back from the dead, cackled as he walked away, embracing his newfound lease on life with zeal.
To be Continued…
DUN-DUN-DUUUUUNNNN~! Thoughts, people?
Also, regarding Issei's capability of speaking Mandarin, there will be some explanation for that in future plot. So stick around! ;) The next chapter can be found in you-know where site.
For the finisher, enjoy some Omake! ^_^
Omake
"I…" Griselda - still clad in her sexy crusader uniform, stared at the whip in her hand and then at the tied up, half-naked man with a black latex mask covering his eyes and a ball gag in his mouth. "Please tell me about my job again. I do not follow."
She was in the public dungeon of Terra D'oro.
"You are replacing the lady in charge tonight, due to… her boyfriend suddenly being thrown in jail due to assaulting another woman. Strange since I met the man… thus, I allowed her paid leave. Anyway, you whip this man in the right places without killing him until he says the safe word." Gold repeated as he pointed at him. "Also, verbally lash him. Tell him how much of an insignificant speck of life he is, or something like that, while you make him suffer for his enjoyment."
"Okay…? But I still don't understand the point of any of this." Griselda tilted her head.
"Sometimes, people have very… peculiar fetishes. Do not think too deeply about this, just do as he wants and I'll pay you double than your usual salary." Gold advised.
"...Right." Griselda replied with uncertainty and she eyed her charge on the wall.
"Good luck." Gold turned around and carried his muscular body out of the dungeon.
Griselda stared at the door where her employer just left, before she turned back to the man in captivity, looking at him up and down. She raised the whip, gave it a few swings in the air for a few times, before she lashed at the man's body, ensuring that she hit the spot where it would hurt the least.
WHACKED!
As soon as the hit landed, the man released a grunt, before he took a deep breath, followed by a soft groan.
"U-um, are you okay?" Griselda could not help but ask.
The man shouted, though the words were muffled through the mask. She swore she heard 'demean me!' from his lips, then he said 'continue'.
Griselda did not know how to do this as she brought the whip back and lashed him again.
"You…. You are such a weird man." Griselda attempted as she lashed once again.
"More…!" Or so she heard.
"You - you are….? Seriously, what are we even doing here?" Griselda became a little perturbed at this point.
She looked out of the cell. She saw one of the Black imps mouthing words to her soundlessly. She could read his lips, seeing 'Just do it! Make him feel like a bug! Y'know what, open his blindfold!'
Griselda only regarded the creature with a confused look before she nodded along, "Okay…?"
When the man's eyes were opened, his breathing became even heavier as he scanned Griselda's appearance up and down. Drool began to leak from his gagged mouth, as he kept urging her to 'do' him more.
Especially since Griselda was in the same knight costume she showed to Issei and the others.
She was more disgusted by his reaction, wanting to get away, as she looked at the imp.
"Imagine he was one of the guys that kidnapped you! No, think of him as Valper in disguise!" The imp mouthed at her.
She wished that the usual person in charge of people like these was here. This was completely out of her comfort zone.
"...Fuuuu."
Taking a deep breath, Griselda closed her eyes as she tried to replace the man with a mental image of Valper… she pulled out the well of pent-up anger inside her as she opened her eyes.
"You disgusting pig!" She shouted as she whipped the man right in his crotch.
"Oh, shit…!" Black was impressed at Griselda unleashing the beast.
The man squealed in pain, but he smiled through the gag while breathing heavily.
"I can't believe that I used to work with you! Moreover, I can't believe I entrusted Xenovia and Irina in your care! Do you have any idea what kind of mess you've left behind due to your insane perversion!? Now repent for your sins!'
Griselda continued whipping the man harder and harder, releasing all of her stress onto the man.
"MORE!"
"I said REPENT!" Upon hearing the man's moans of pleasure, Griselda picked up her pace.
"YESSSS! I REPENT! MAKE ME REPENT MORE!"
"SILENCE! NOT ANOTHER WORD FROM THAT GARBAGE BIN YOU CALL YOUR MOUTH!"
"MMMPH! MMMMMMMMPH!" The man moaned as Griselda continued whipping him.
Black smiled, already taking in the scene with a camera recorder.
Oh, how he wished to show the footage to the others. Soon, he shall make waves in the Vatican once this fiasco is finished.
The whipping went on for a while. Black pulled down the camera as he waddled in closer to take a better look at the man… wait, his shoulders were dislocated.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Black elongated a hand and grabbed Griselda's arm. "Stop, stop! He can't say the safe word if you keep going!"
"Get off me! I'm not done with this piece of dirt yet!" Griselda struggled as Black had to enlarge and hold her arms behind her back.
"It is just roleplay! Don't get too into it! Get your act together!" The bigger, more grotesque Black reminded her.
Griselda heaved and huffed as she stared at the strange man… she slowly calmed down as she composed herself.
"There, there. See? It's just roleplay. The man is just trying to live out his fantasies, alright? So don't try to kill him. Also, I suggest you try and learn some anger management. It seems you might have a small issue."
"Yes… Yes, I… May I take an early leave? I feel tired all of sudden." Griselda asked with a heavy sigh.
"You did well. Order room service, whatever you want. On the house." Black shrank as he backed away a few steps, giving Griselda space.
"...Thank you… I would take up your offer. Do your chefs serve Arancini?"
"Lady, we are in Italy. Of course we serve Arancini. Hell, take the most expensive Osso buco alla Milanese if you want." Black smirked, which Griselda returned with a grateful smile.
Once Griselda left the premise, Black turned to check up on the client, who was motionless, hanging by the chains on the wall.
"...You good, man?" Black asked as he took a closer look, even began to undo his gag.
"...Ahhhh…" The man exhaled, yet his face was euphoric.
"Yeah… he's in heaven. Alright, let's get him out and patched-up before he wakes up again." Black said as he started carrying the man away over his shoulders.
In his mind, he reviewed Griselda's performance - she was rough around the edge, but she might become a natural with a few more sessions. Should he introduce Baraqiel to this place?
Maybe he should include one of the Devil girls… he should check them out just in case.
Bruh.
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