Chapter 285 ~ Rogue

Afternoon. The moment the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Rias and Akeno wasted no time in making their way over to C.C.’s desk, their expressions bright with anticipation. Their invitation to chat felt sincere—markedly different from the kind of requests Rias usually made, which often carried the subtle weight of her noble lineage and elevated status within the academy. This time, there was no unspoken pressure, only genuine curiosity shining in their eyes. “...What is it you wish to talk about?” C.C. asked calmly, a flicker of curiosity in her voice. She wasn’t sure what subjects they had in mind. She could understand them wanting to speak with someone like Yuuji, Aika, or Erika—people who had known her longer than a day. But her? Rias fumbled slightly, her cheeks turning a soft pink as she replied, “I-It’s about Yuuji... I’d like to know more about him! And, um, of course, about you and the rest of your group too!” “Ah...” C.C. paused in thought. She had never been particularly talkative—she preferred the quiet comfort of simply being at Yuuji’s side. Though she didn’t dislike Rias or Akeno, she could already feel the weariness that would come from answering their endless stream of questions they would have about the man who had clearly caught their interest. So, she opted for a more efficient solution. “...I’ll call Aika. She’d be more than happy to talk about him.” ‘Perhaps even too happy...’ she added inwardly. ‘Hopefully, she only shares her own “sessions” with him and not mine.’ Rias’s face lit up with joy. “Thank you! Then let’s meet in our clubroom—we’ll prepare tea and snacks!” With a nod, C.C. began messaging Aika as the two most prominent girls of Kuoh Academy exited the classroom, their steps light with excitement as they headed to the Occult Research Club room in the old school building. Unsurprisingly, Aika agreed in a heartbeat. After all, she’d never pass up an opportunity to gush about her beloved. And, of course, she didn’t come alone. She brought Erika and, much to Yuuji’s quiet dismay, dragged him along as well. She would have brought Lelouch and Tatsuya too, had they not caught wind of her plan and promptly vanished the moment her mischievous grin appeared. “We’re here~!” Aika announced cheerfully. “Welco—Eh? Yuuji-kun?” Rias blinked in surprise. “Ara~ Welcome, everyone~ And Yuuji-kun, you came as well~?” Akeno purred, gently resting her cheek on her palm as her eyes gleamed with pleasure. “...I was dragged here. Erika too. I hope we’re not intruding,” Yuuji replied with a helpless, awkward smile. Honestly... He could understand Erika, but why was he also dragged here when he was the object of their conversation?! Was Aika trying to tease him by embarrassing him? ‘...I’ll have my revenge tonight.’ He thought, alleviating some of his plight with the thought of what he would do to Aika and her body tonight. “Of course not~ Come, take a seat~ I’ll prepare more tea and snacks for you~,” Akeno offered, already moving with graceful ease. “Thank you, Akeno-senpai,” he said politely. Her smile deepened, a faint flutter running through her chest at the way he addressed her. In that single respectful phrase, her imagination was instantly set alight—conjuring all sorts of "senpai and kouhai" roleplay scenarios that made her cheeks feel a touch warmer. Soon, a steaming pot of fragrant tea and a tray of assorted snacks were placed on the table beside the couch, where Yuuji sat with C.C. gently leaning against his shoulder in silent contentment. Across from them, Erika took a seat with Koneko, Asia, and Kiba, who had begun asking her about their group’s training regimens with a mixture of curiosity and awe. On the other side of the room, Rias and Akeno cozied up with Aika, who was more than eager to dive into vivid retellings of her many adventures with Yuuji. She tactfully avoided any talk of their interdimensional origins but leaned heavily into the passionate dynamics of their growing romantic tale. As laughter, gasps, and the occasional squeal of delight filled the room, Yuuji quietly slipped out a sleek supercomputer from his inventory. He could use this rare moment of free time to further expand and solidify the influence of Linked Horizons. Perhaps he would invest more deeply in the conglomerate’s affiliated businesses, monitor the status of companies potentially connected to supernatural factions, and analyze market fluctuations to infer the movements of both allies and adversaries alike. A game of information, influence, and intuition—one he played with masterful precision that was more akin to clairvoyance. And while he was at it, he might as well make some pocket money—millions of dollars, easily—enough for him and his friends to enjoy a lavish lifestyle during their time in this world, without attracting too much suspicion. “Hm... Well, if you want to test your limits, it’s easier to just come to our home.” Erika thought out loud after Koneko and Kiba requested her to train them to surpass their limits. “We have a massive dojo with protective enchantments that can withstand a few full-strength blows from Yuuji, so it should be strong enough.” The protective enchantments within the estate members of the Multiverse Chat Group shared were powerful enough to withstand even Satoru’s favorite super tier magic, Fallen Down, and Yuuji’s Rend Space skill. And although Erika never tried it, it must also be able to withstand her Hell Flame. With such level of enchantments, even if Kiba or Koneko were to somehow awaken some power beyond their imagination, they still wouldn’t be able to nick even a splinter of the wood. Moreover, it’s also more convenient if they were to be in their home. “Hmm... Yuuji, Aika, C.C, what do you think? Would it be fine if I invited Kiba and Koneko to our home?” “Eh?! Your home?! Ah... Sorry... ” Instead of Yuuji, Rias was first to burst up from her seat, before sitting back down with a blush on her face. She couldn’t help it. The moment she heard that Erika was inviting Kiba and Koneko to Yuuji and the others’ home, she couldn’t help but burst up from her seat. She wanted to go too! She wanted to see his home! And after listening to just how magical it was from Aika, she wanted to see it even more! “Hm? Oh, do you want to train them in the dojo?” The holographic screen of his super computer disappeared for a moment, allowing him to see Erika who sat on the couch opposite of him directly. “Uhn.” Erika nodded. “Sure, that’s fine. What about you, C.C? Aika?” “Sure, do as you please.” C.C answered lightly, unbothered. She didn’t mind having those two come. After all, even if they wanted to do something bad, she could just flare her aura and their devil soul would perish instantly. And, she knew that they wouldn’t do such a thing anyway. “I agree too!” Aika answered readily. And as she expected, Rias spoke up once more, this time more quietly and nervously. “H-Hey, can we come as well? We would love to visit your home...” Rias looked at Aika, Yuuji, Erika, and C.C with a hopeful expression. And Akeno also silently made her wish known through her gaze. “Of course. Everyone from the Occult Research Club can come. How about this weekend?” Yuuji nodded, and a bright smile bloomed on the visage of the two great ladies of Kuoh. “Sure.” C.C responded. “Mm, that’s fine. Kiba-san and Koneko can come for training this weekend too.” Erika nodded, looking towards the two who nodded in agreement as well. “That’s a great idea! Rias-chan, Akeno-chan, and also Asia-chan and Koneko-chan, let's all go enjoy the outdoor hot springs together! We also have a spa and a swimming pool! We can all play together!” Aika’s eyes sparkled. Not only would this be a great chance to play around, she could also take a bath with these beautiful and cute girls! It wouldn’t be long until she got all of them to her and Yuuji’s bed!!! “Of course! We look forward to it!” “Oh my~ A hotspring~? I look forward to it~” “T-Thank you for inviting us Yuuji-san, Aika-san, Erika-san, and Corabelle-senpai!” Asia bowed, her eyes sparkling in excitement not from the promised luxury and comfort, but from the premise of being able to spend the weekend having fun with her friends and people she admired. Koneko and Kiba also bowed in gratitude towards them, and then specially towards Erika, who had promised to train them. Just then, a knock came from the door. “I’m back... Ah! Yuuji-san, Erika-san, Aika, even Corabelle-senpai! You’re here!” Issei opened the door to the Occult Research Club room and was shocked to see the four of them inside. Yuuji simply nodded with a small smile in acknowledgement. “Issei-kun, you returned late today. What were you doing? Did you come across any trouble?” Rias asked, crossing her arms under her chest. “Ah, that... I didn’t really come across any trouble...” Issei rubbed the back of his head before letting out a deep sigh. “That old man summoned me to play games with him. I thought I could enjoy it, but then, he beat me up in those games and wouldn’t let me off until now... I swear he just wanted a punching bag to make himself feel good.” He sat down near Kiba and sunk into the couch, exhausted—more mentally than physically. Yuuji, Aika, Erika, and C.C naturally know who this “old man” Issei referred to was. In fact, they’ve known about him since the moment of his arrival. But since they had no reason to interact with him immediately, they feigned ignorance. After all, it’s not like he would notice their presence and start sniffing around as well. The relaxed afternoon conversation turned into a discussion and planning on what they should do on the weekend during their visit to Yuuji and the others’ home. Before long, Issei, Asia, Koneko, and Kiba left to return home first, while Yuuji, C.C, and Erika remained to accompany Aika, who was still having fun chatting with Rias and Akeno. But as the sun finally set completely into the horizon and the sky turned dark, Yuuji and the others also decided to return home for the night. It was then, on their way home, did they sense an unnatural fluctuation of familiar magic presences. And they could immediately tell the reason behind it. A battle had occurred. --------------------------------X-------------------------------- The sun had barely dipped below the horizon as Issei, Asia, Koneko, and Kiba made their way home. Asia was currently living with Issei, and they were all walking together until they had to separate from Koneko and Kiba who stayed in the academy’s dormitories. They chatted as they walked, when suddenly, a faint scent of blood hit their senses—sharp, metallic, and unmistakable. "Blood... and magic," Koneko muttered, her golden eyes narrowing. "I-I sense it too," Asia said softly, clutching her hands to her chest as a chill ran down her spine. “Over there!” Kiba pointed toward an apartment building a few blocks away. The four of them—Issei, Koneko, Asia, and Kiba—rushed toward the source, their steps hurried and silent across the common neighbourhood roads. After rounding the corner, they soon arrived before a regular, if not slightly smaller, two stories high apartment building. Nothing wrong seemed to happen from the outside. But it was unmistakable. They could sense a faint sign of magic and the smell of blood wafting from one of the rooms. “It’s here.” Koneko led the group with her keener olfactory senses, in addition to being the tank, and took the front. They took up the flight of stairs on the side of the building and run towards the fourth out of five rooms in the hall. Where she would normally knock, this time Koneko decisively kicked the door off its hinges and burst into the room. The scene behind the door hit them like a punch to the gut. It was a regular, small, Japanese apartment room that seemed to belong to an otaku, judging by the anime wall scrolls, posters, figures, and a shelf filled with mangas and art books. On his desk was a large monitor and a cpu, and before it, a large drawing tablet. But it was a familiar one to Koneko. It was the room of one of her contractors—one of the few non-creepy otaku she actually agreed to form a contract with—who’d sometimes summon her to ask her opinion about his manga that he was about to bring to a manga publishing company for production. A man in his thirties, no wives, no children, and seemingly no contact with his family. Just him pursuing his dreams from a small 1K apartment room, and sometimes asking a devil for her opinions on his manga. The man now lay on the floor in his own pool of blood, lifeless. One of his hands reached out to the direction of his desk. And standing over the body was a twisted figure clad in a tainted exorcist’s garb. His unhinged grin glinted in the roomlight, and in his hand was a holy sword, tainted with blood. It gleamed with a radiance beyond that of a regular holy sword, something Issei and the others immediately noticed. “Whew~ That was a warm-up! Nothing like carving up a heretic who signed a contract with a devil with a divine blade!” Freed cackled, twirling the sword fragment like a toy. “Oh? What do we have here? Little devils come out to play?” But he wasn’t the only one reacting. Koneko and Kiba froze in place. Her eyes locked onto the body of her dead contractor, while Kiba’s eyes locked onto the holy sword. A look of recognition appeared in both of their eyes, and their entire body immediately trembled—not with fear, but rage. Raw, unfiltered rage. “...Excalibur.” he whispered, voice low and shaking. His knuckles turned white as he summoned his demonic sword, a black aura enveloping him. “You... How did you have that? WHO GAVE IT TO YOU?!” “Oh~? Do you know about this? Looks like someone knows much more than he should~!” Freed jeered, but before he could finish, Kiba lunged. The speed of Kiba’s charge surprised even Freed, forcing him to raise the Excalibur fragment just in time to block the incoming strike. Sparks flew as steel clashed with holy light. Kiba’s blade screamed against the divine metal, and he pressed forward with a furious flurry of strikes, each one more desperate, more reckless than the last. “Kiba! Calm down!” Issei shouted, but it was too late—Kiba wasn’t listening. And before he could react, Koneko also bolted in, throwing a punch toward Freed’s blind side. “...I’ll kill you!” But the deranged exorcist twisted away with unnatural agility, firing a barrage of blessed bullets from his sidearm. Koneko ducked and rolled, narrowly avoiding them, clenching her teeth. “Kiba-san!” Asia screamed as one bullet grazed Kiba’s arm, the holy energy searing his flesh like acid. He hissed in pain but didn’t stop. Instead, he charged again with even more ferocity. “Damn it, back off!” Issei summoned his Boosted Gear, the crimson gauntlet flaring to life as he leapt into the fray. “Boost!” He swung at Freed to draw his attention, managing to intercept the madman mid-swing, forcing him to retreat with a snarl. “You devils are more annoying than roaches!” Freed growled, eyes darting between the four of them. Kiba staggered slightly from the burning holy wound on his arm, but his eyes remained locked on Freed like a predator denied its kill. “This isn’t over... you bastard! TELL ME! WHO GAVE YOU THAT SWORD!” he spat, blood trailing from his clenched fist. Freed grinned, licking his lips. “Nah, not feeling like it~ I got what I came for, and I’m a buuuusy man. So let’s call this round one!” With a theatrical flourish, he threw a smoke bomb at the ground. Thick, white smoke exploded within the small apartment room, forcing the group to shield their eyes. When the smoke cleared—Freed was gone. “Damn it!” Kiba snarled and started to run after him. But Issei grabbed his shoulder. “Kiba, wait—!” “Let go!” Kiba barked, eyes blazing. His usual calm demeanor was gone, replaced by something raw and pained. “Kiba, you’re hurt!” Asia pleaded. “You can’t chase him like this!” Kiba stopped, trembling. “What’s wrong with you?! Koneko-chan as well! You both suddenly went on a rampage!” “... He was one of my contractors. A good man...” Koneko looked down sadly at the man laying lifelessly in his own pool of blood. And her words silenced Issei. “...I’m sorry.” He spoke his words of condolences to Koneko quietly. Then, he turned towards Kiba, who was still seething, his hand clenching his demonic magic sword. “You don’t understand,” he said coldly, his voice cracking ever so slightly. “You couldn’t possibly understand.” Without another word, Kiba turned and walked away, leaving behind a stunned silence. Issei and Asia stared after him, eyes heavy with worry. “What... happened to him?” he asked quietly.