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Thanks for reading!
I'm opening a pa.tre.eon or a ko/fi to support when I hit 1mill views on this
just to make sure I don't lose focus. No paywall either btw,
Sorry, was playing that damned Uma Musume game.
My first POV (sorta) chapter of another character
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-Tomato Princess POV-
-Gremory Clan Manor-
To be born a devil is to inherit a legacy soaked in both blood and privilege.
And to be born a Gremory... well, that's something altogether more complicated.
My name is Rias Gremory, heiress to the Gremory Clan, one of the proud 72 Pillars of the Underworld. A noble High-Class Devil. The Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess, and the younger sister of the current Lucifer.
And if a certain raven-haired red-eyed rogue who's also a student at Kuoh High were here, he'd ask me if my next words were, 'Well, that sounded better in my head', or 'Wait, they're right behind me, aren't they?'
Don't be silly. I'm not that predictable, now, am I?
However, at this exact moment, I was a girl with a very specific and very annoying problem named 'Arranged Marriage'.
But maybe I should start at the beginning.
The Underworld isn't all fire and brimstone, never-ending Sean Combs parties, and eternal punishment and suffering, despite what the old myths say.
No, it's a realm of cold marble palaces, endless night skies, floating citadels, and suffocating rules.
Devils like me are born into ancient houses, bred to play the games of politics, legacy, and power.
We reincarnate others into our Peerages(not slavery) using the Evil Piece System, not just to bolster our forces but to increase the number of our kind within this world.
My parents, Zeoticus Gremory, and my mother Venelena Gremory née Bael have already made their mark in Devil history in their own way, not to mention my older brother, Sirzechs Lucifer, who after our ancestor Zekram Bael, reigns over Devilkind with the Four Maous as Maou Lucifer.
A living legend, and a walking impossibility. And me? Well, I'm stuck juggling high school exams, matchmaking ceremonies I didn't ask for, and a marriage contract to a flaming chicken nugget named Riser Phenex.
And then he showed up.
Daichi Michinaga. Or Michinaga Daichi if you're Japanese.
The first time I met him, he kidnapped me. Yes, really.
He abducted me, Akeno, Sona, Kuroka, and Koneko-ahem, Shirone--- just like that.
No warnings. Just appearing out of nowhere with magic reserves that a human kid couldn't possibly have, a cocky grin, and a twisted little bow like he thought he was being charming.
Well, I do think that he was a little charming.... But that's not the point.
At first, I thought he was deranged. Someone reckless enough to provoke the Gremory family and the Four Maous without even thinking about it.
But then... I ended up learning everything.
He sat us down, offered us snacks, and calmly invited the Archangel Gabriel from that faction to help him with uncovering a plot that threatened the lives of Cleria Belial and Masaomi Yaegaki regarding the existence of 'King Pieces' by forcing the Four Maou to intervene.
He used us, not cruelly, but like pawns on a board, pieces he needed to move the real players into position.
And it worked, mostly.
Zekram Bael wouldn't be losing everything and ending up powerless, but a lot of his cronies who would contest the Four Maou in matters of Diplomacy in The Underworld either got ousted from their positions or got what Daichi would call, a 'Political Nerfing'.
Not only that, but his kindness as he saved Kuroka and Shirone...
(A/N; Typical JP MC, his kindness/yasashii will get all the girls with a complicated home life.)
Oddly enough, I slowly, delightfully, and to my frustration, begrudgingly started to admire him.
'So cool! A real japanese shounen! It's just like one of my animes!' I thought at the time, so I had to get him to join my team.
And of course, when I asked him to join my peerage?
He laughed and said no. Laughed and said no!
Typical.
So throughout the years, I took him on tours in the Underworld and around the Gremory lands, and I've introduced him to my cousins like Sairaorg and the other, but seeing Sairaorg train hard all day every day just made him want to train more, and join my peerage even less!
But what was more frustrating than him saying no, was how well he got along with my slowly expanding Peerage!
From sparring and going out on missions with Yuuto, hanging out with Akeno who seems to be plotting something these days, and even playing with Gasper, who talks about GAR, archers, and gaining muscles nowadays.
Seriously, what's everyone's deal with muscles these days?
And he even got along with Koneko---ahem, Shirone who put the anti in anti-social, and she'd even share her snacks with him.
Well, she would only share one... But one is more than zero by an entire number!
Now, as the years passed, he's more powerful than ever, and currently, he's cooped up in that warehouse trying to start some kind of guild business, and every time I try to pull him closer, he slips right through my fingers.
---Which brings me here.
The Gremory estate. My family's ancestral home. Velvet cushions. Imported tea. Grand portraits of my ancestor Runeas Gremory, who looks really similar to me, but wearing pigtails instead.
I won't say it out loud, but I don't see why in the Underworld would my ancestor be fond of those abominations pretending to be creatures called camels...
Anyways, I sat across from Grayfia Lucifuge, my brother's queen, drinking tea and plotting.
"The engagement to Riser Phenex is still scheduled for next month," Grayfia said calmly with a perfect maid-like posture. "I'd say that you should begin preparations, but you seem to have something up your sleeve."
"Ugh. I don't want to. I already told you--- I've made my choice. " I let out a groan, but soon I broke into a little smile.
Grayfia's silver eyebrows lifted in quiet judgment. "Does this 'choice' perhaps involve Daichi Michinaga-san?"
I take a long sip of tea. "...Maybe."
"You want him to help cancel the engagement?"
I shook my head, with a slow smile creeping across my lips. "Not exactly. I want to make him my contracted magician."
Grayfia actually choked a little as her perfect posture becomes slightly less perfect as her eyes narrowed. "You mean the rogue who kidnapped two high-class devil heiresses and fooled around in the Naberius compound?"
I smile sweetly. "Yes, that one."
"To think you'd be so fond of him..." She exhaled, placing her cup down with a soft clink. "Well, he's certainly... charismatic in a way."
"But here's the problem, it's Maou Leviathan," I said with a little unease. "True to being in charge of Foreign Affairs and Diplomacy, she's been hard at work with the Devil Council with new policies--- ways to expand the pool of reincarnated Devils in peerages, and close relations with contracted mages."
"Correct. Most notably, a clause allowing Kings to bring contracted mages into Rating Games as substitute pieces." Grayfia nodded. "Meaning, that Daichi's presence around Maou Leviathan's younger sister means he's far more likely to end up being a contracted magician by Miss Sitri."
"Not fair... I saw him first!" I sighed. "Maou Leviathan's rigging the entire game board."
Wasn't she supposed to be a sis-con? In any sensible relative's mind, Daichi should come across like a hungry wolf in search of prey! Did she forget her character setting, or what?
"She's protecting Sona's future. And Daichi is... a valuable person with potential." Grayfia calmly stated.
Not if I play first.
I stood up, almost knocking my teacup over with the force of my inspiration. "Then I'll issue a challenge."
Grayfia blinked. "A challenge?"
"A Rating Game with a wager," I declared as I elegantly brushed my hair back. "If I beat Riser in a public match, I can legally cancel the engagement without breaking the alliance."
Grayfia nodded slowly. "An odd plan, but not unwise. That way it won't affect the relationship between the Phenex and Gremory Clans."
"Mhmmn," I hummed, marveling at my genius. "Though, it's way better than what I was originally planning."
"Which was to hire Daichi to beat Riser into a coma for a couple of hundred years."
"...Of course," Grayfia said quietly. Then I heard another sharp clink as Grayfia set her teacup down more firmly than necessary as she sighed. "You do know what kind of issue that would--- ah, never mind..."
"Anyways, you are aware that Daichi will want something in return," She added cautiously.
I give her a sly smile. "Oh, I'll make sure he's properly compensated."
Grayfia doesn't respond.
But I do notice something.
Her posture shifts. Her breath hitches. She crosses her legs more tightly, her hands brushing just a bit too casually against her thigh. Her face, which was always so cool, was tinged with a slight, embarrassed pink.
And then I hear it.
"...Daichi…Michinaga..." she murmured under her breath, soft and aching with a hint of frustration
Hmmnn?
What's the matter with her?
"Grayfia?" I called her name.
She stiffens, jerks her head away, and starts tidying nonexistent wrinkles in her uniform. "Ahem. Focus on your Rating Game strategy, Rias."
Yeah. Daichi probably just annoyed her and got her frustrated. He's always like that, being mischievous and all...
"Mmhmm…" I nodded. "Don't worry, I've got everything under control."
Not to brag--- but I can be very persuasive when I put my mind to it.
Just like in the new 'Deceased Booklet' manga volume that I bought this week, everything is going according to keikaku.
(Keikaku means plan.)
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-Sometime Later-
-ORC Building, Kuoh High-
"Nah, I think Imma do my own thing."
"I didn't even say anything yet!" I protested.
"Yet, she says." Daichi chuckled.
Right now, it was a rare Saturday lull at Kuoh High as the hallways were mostly empty save for the Student Council walking about, and the Kendo Club practicing.
In the ORC. the Occult Research Club, I sat in my usual seat where I weave peerage strategies, convene clandestine meetings, and, today, endeavor to recruit the one man who maddens me most: Daichi Michinaga.
He lounged on a well‑worn couch, cradling a steaming cup of tea that Akeno had insisted on making.
From where I sat, he seemed quite relaxed, with short, wavy black hair, and red eyes glinting with mischief. He wore a simple white T‑shirt and loose workout pants, nothing flashy, sure, but they suited him well.
"Daichi, it's not an invitation to my peerage this time." I said begrudgingly. How easy it would've been if he'd just say 'yes'.
"Okay." He responded all laissez-faire, without a care in the world.
Seriously, do you know how many people would jump at the chance to join my peerage!?
Anyway, I know he's not against the idea of a peerage, it's just that he doesn't want to be anything else but the 'King', as I remember him saying once...
---"It's like corruption and politicians, Rias. If it's not me, then I don't like it. But if it's me? Then hell yeah, I'm just playing the system really good. Basically, I don't wanna be a crewmate, I wanna be the captain of the ship."
"With all that being said." Taking a steadying breath, I smoothed a lock of crimson hair from my face.
"Daichi," I began, voice firm, "I, Rias Gremory, heir to the Gremory Clan, formally invite you to become my contracted magician."
"I'm honored, really," He smiled, and I wasn't sure whether or not he was surprised or just hiding it. "And where did this come from?"
I folded my arms, summoning elegance and majesty befitting a Devil princess. "Allow me to explain."
In measured detail, I outlined Serafall's new Devil Council edicts, the Rating Game clause permitting Kings to summon contracted magicians to the battlefield, and the tactical edge it would grant us both.
I then watched his features shift between surprise, amusement, skepticism, and finally, interest.
When I finished, he leaned back, exhaling. "Sounds… reaaaallly convenient for you, and me, to be honest."
"Like 'Deus Ex Machina' levels of convenient, actually. Where the answer just appears out of nowhere..."
"Like if I were a guy in red and black spandex dual-wielding katanas and guns, I'd call this bad writing levels of convenient..."
"Like if I were a cultivator looking for a way to enter a secret realm, and I just get invited to a Sect that will enter it, by a Jade Beauty, or Traveling Master levels of convenience..."
"But at the same time, it kinda sounds tedious. And likely a bureaucratic nightmare. But still kinda fun."
"Anyways, I'm going off on a tangent. My bad."
A flush of frustration heated my cheeks as he started to spout off references that I didn't get. Should I read more comics, and Chinese novels?
"It's not 'that' tedious. It's a chance to fight alongside me against Riser. Win, and the engagement is null. We both benefit."
"So that's your game plan..." He glanced sideways at Akeno, who sat impossibly close, her long black hair brushing his shoulder and her violet eyes alight with playful anticipation.
"Fufufu~ Don't worry, Daichi-kun. If you agree, this onee-san will protect you whenever you feel scared~" Akeno purred, as Daichi's face then twitched slightly.
Come on, Akeno! Don't undo the hard work of convincing him!
"Hmmn, well, having to go up against a practically immortal Devil and his harem does sound a bit scary, so I might take you up on that..."
Come on, Akeno! Keep up the good work of convincing him!
"Hmnn..."
My gaze drifted to Shirone, my Rook, a petite white‑haired girl whose golden eyes were trying to tell Daichi to accept.
Across the room, Yuuto Kiba gave a soft smile. "It would be interesting if you agreed, Daichi-san."
Unfortunately, my other peerage members couldn't be here right now, so that was it. I then stood, leveling my gaze on Daichi once more. "So, are you with me? Let's fight for our future, together, as one!"
"This still sounds extraordinarily convenient to the plot, but it's 24 chapters in and we're still in Vol 1. So what the hell do I have to lose? Put on the party music and let's dance. I'm in." Daichi murmured.
In that instant, my chest soared with triumph despite his mumbling about chapters and some plot.
"Thank you, Daichi. You won't regret it." I breathed, scarcely able to restrain my delight. I, Rias Gremory, am one step closer to success right now.
"I'd rather not, to be honest." He rose, tugging on his shirt with languid confidence. "Well, I gotta jet, so let's do the contract stuff later, okay? Busy Saturday, chess with Sona, and Kendo practice afterwards."
My smile wavered. "Chess with Sona, hmnn?"
Hmph. Too bad for her, I've already made the winning move.
I smiled and gave goodbyes as I watched Daichi leave the room.
Akeno chuckled, her signature 'fufufufu' laugh spilling out of her lips. "Our Student Council President sure loves her games."
"...Your eyes are on fire, Rias-senpai." Koneko reached up, locking eyes with me, as her voice small but certain: "Daichi might be a no-good thigh-loving-maniac, but I think it will work out in the end..."
Yuuto Kiba offered a reassuring nod. "She's right, I do think it'll work out quite well."
I straightened up myself, resolve hardening within me.
In due time...
Daichi will be all mine...
---After all, for Rias Gremory, the board is ever in motion--- and today, I have claimed the first, decisive move!
"Meeting adjourned! I have some real literature to read!"
It was time to read Vol 2 of 'Herb And Canine'
Truly, I am not a mere Otaku, but a learned, cultured princess.
Also, is it just me, or is there the energy of a Sacred Gear emanating off him...?
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-Daichi POV-
Why do I have a feeling that some omniscient being/s weren't in my head, listening to my every thought for a moment?
Huh, weird.
Anyway, leaving the Occult Research Clubroom felt like stepping out of a scene from a period flick, and entering modern day once again as the decor of Kuoh juxtaposed with the ORC screamed, Private Japanese High School vs Victorian-era mansion decor.
Not even close.
My steps echoed through the late afternoon silence of Kuoh Academy's west building as I saw the sunlight slanted in gold blades across the hallway like some divine art exhibit, and my shoes clicked along the tiles in rhythm with the nonsense tune I hummed under my breath.
I still had one more extracurricular left today--- namely, my duel in chess with the Sona Shitori/Sitri.
Then I'd hang out with the Kendo Kids before heading home.
I never thought I'd say this, but I'm actually enjoying myself at school.
And it's a Saturday too!
So as I made my way to the Student Council room, knocked and entered, I gotta say, whoever designed this place should take pride in their work.
Sleek polished wood floors, file cabinets with keys, and probably a three-year backlog of organized spreadsheets. This was a temple dedicated to control freaks.
Right down to the custom-built wooden chess table by the window.
"Yo."
I spotted three familiar faces that greeted me. Or, well, acknowledged me.
Tsubaki Shinra turned first, posture perfect as usual, with her hands folded in front of her, regal and refined as ever.
Her long black hair with split bangs hung over those sharp amethyst eyes of hers, always calm, as she nodded in response. "Good day, Michinaga-san. I see you're not in uniform."
"You see correctly, Shin-chan. No way I'm wearing that stuffy uniform on a Saturday of all days." I chuckled as I saw her eyebrows twitch at my nickname for her. "That being said, good day to you too, Vice Prez."
Next to her was Tsubasa Yura, leaning lazily against a wall like a slacker. She had short, choppy blue hair, and that tomboy look that gave off those 'bifauxnen' vibes.
"Daichi-kun," she said, grinning widely. "How you doing?"
"You know," I said, stepping inside, "Same old, same old."
Sona Shitori sat by the chess table, arms crossed, lips pursed, expression set to mildly impatient. She had sharp violet eyes behind her glasses, with dark hair that was in that perfect bob cut.
"You're late," Sona said.
"I'd say that I'm fashionably late, but I'm dressed casually today, and I'm not late, so yeah." I shrugged, spreading my arms. "Also, we didn't set an appointment, nor a specific meeting time, you see? So technically, I'm earlier than the bird who got that worm."
"Besides, are you in really that much of a rush to lose?"
I chuckled a bit at Sona's unamused glare as I turned to Tsubasa. "Sticking around to watch me defeat your Master?"
"Nah, Chess is really not my kinda thing, so I'll head out and assist the others." Tsubasa gave me a pat on the shoulder as she headed out to wherever the other members of Sona's peerage were. "Don't worry, if you lose, I can cheer you up by hunting some strays around Kuoh with you!"
"Wow, do you people have no faith in me...?" I asked.
"It's just that our President is that good, Michinaga-san." Tsubaki said with steadfast faith in Sona.
-cough-
"Cough." Sona gave a theatrical cough as she finished arranging the pieces.
"White or black?" She asked.
"Both. I don't judge. Only children, and guys who can't afford or get both choose."
"Daichi---"
Before Sona could say something to rebuke me, I continued seriously this time. "As for chess, White. Ladies usually go first, but I have to show off now."
I then made my move.
Tsubaki winced like I'd just committed seppuku and then hung myself with my innards in front of her.
Sona frowned. "That's… the worst possible opening move in standard chess. Are you joking?"
"Nope. I wouldn't necessarily consider myself a funny guy who makes funny jokes." I tilted my head. "Though I'm not that much of a serious kind of guy either..."
"Childish." Her eyes narrowed as I leaned back into my seat.
"True. And yet here you are, indulging me."
Tsubaki folded her arms, stoic. "President has been undefeated in Kuoh's chess society for over a decade. She is---"
"A certified supernatural grandmaster? Yeah, I know." I waved it off. "And I said what I said."
After that, what followed was well within my expectations.
Every move Sona made was made to cut down my poor white pieces one by one, dissecting my weak defense like a predator toying with its prey.
"You're wasting my time," Sona said eventually. "I thought you had more pride. But maybe you've realized it's better to give up than to struggle."
I scratched my cheek. "You sure about that?"
Just as she was about to land the final blow, I made one last strange move.
The two of them froze like a deer caught in headlights.
"Stalemate?" Sona said incredulously, blinking up a storm that made me think that she could fly with those eyelashes of hers..
"Draw." I smiled. "You'd never see it coming, huh?"
Her brow furrowed. "How did you do that?"
---I used [Hypnosis] on myself and watched a couple thousand hours of chess tapes and CDs, and made it so my brain absorbed it as experience, so that whenever I play chess, I could lean back on that 'history' for moves.
But I can't tell her that, right?
I shrugged. "Wanna go again?"
"…Yes," she said, almost through gritted teeth.
We reset, and this time I opened with an even shittier first move than last time, which even made Tsubaki feel personally insulted.
"I've seen children make better openings," Sona muttered.
She came for me again. Fast, aggressive, and precise.
And I made sure to keep her coming with my technique to make her realize that she'll never be on top of me when it comes to chess.
And once again… the board reached a moment of tension. One move would draw the game. One move would hand me the win.
I looked her in the eye. And made the move that led to a draw.
"Why?" She glared holes through me, like her eyes were laser beams of the bajillionth Evil-Superman pastiche who wears the flag of the USA as a cape.
"Well," I began. "It's because the look on your cute face is priceless."
"And it's because I like spending time here with you, So-tan."
Sona gritted her teeth through the light blush she wore on her face. "One more."
We played again. And this time, I didn't hold back.
I played like I was from a developing nation, and I needed the money to take care of my family of twenty siblings in a rural village... In other words, I played quite well...
---And in a few moves later… Checkmate.
Sona stared at the board. She looked lost, like some weird kid walking in on his momma dancing with a skeleton wearing a hoodie and short pants.
To her, it didn't make any sense.
Tsubaki blinked slowly. "That… How...?"
"Well, you'll figure it out eventually." I stood, stretching. "You're smarter than me originally when it comes to Chess after all..."
I wasn't lying, or at least when it came to me before I used [Body Modification] to tinker with my noggin. "Thanks for the match. I've got kendo practice next. Also, something else to check in on."
Sona didn't respond. She was frozen, staring at the chessboard, eyes flicking from square to square, running simulations in her head like a machine on fire.
Tsubaki leaned down. "President?"
Still nothing.
I chuckled. Wasn't there some legend about marrying the first guy who beat her at chess? Or was that bit just fanon?
Well, that's the thing about DxD.
You never know what's truly a part of the story. Even I who read the novels way back then get confused sometimes.
Eventually, Fanon comes for us all..
I gave them both a two-finger salute as I left. "Later."
As I walked out into the hallway, the sun dipped a little lower, casting long golden afternoon shadows along the walls.
But just as I passed the trophy case near the Kendo Club entrance, a thought struck me.
A detail I hadn't handled yet.
Was it the fact that I didn't bring up having a Sacred Gear? No, not that.
---It was about two vampires. No, one vampire, and one dhampir. Something about souls. A Holy Grail? And a loose thread that tugged at something deeper.
I clicked my tongue. "Yeah… Gotta ask Grayfia about that."
One problem at a time.
Heh.
Just another day in the life of the Delinquent Prince of Kuoh.
-hurl-
Yeah, I shouldn't use that phrase...
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Next Chapter: 025: Ecchi Young Man 'Blackmails Devil Maid'! "You Wouldn't Want This To Be Exposed, Do You~?"
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Trivia Time! (Againx24!!)
Did you know(ofc)
For Seiyuu Trivia Time, we have a short double feature of...
Sona Sitri's Seiyuu, Natsumi Takamori who also voices:
Yuka Amado (Maken Ki) You know how I feel about the author Takeda Hiromitsu. Even if he had the balls to make Maken-ki like Nukitashi, it would still be NTR, that's how devoted he is to the genre.
Mei Misaki (Another) You know how some of the ladyfolk get weak in the knees for the mysterious, quiet good good-looking folk? So do us guys. (hol up, lemme check the demographics of the fanfic first.)
Misaki Kamiigusa (Pet Girl Of Sakurasou) Cute girl from a cute anime. In high school I seriously watched the entire show alongside Monthly Girls Nozaki-kun during the weekend.
Jotaro Kujo/ De-Aged (JJBA: Stardust Crusaders) This was when Jotaro get turned into a brat by an enemy stand user and still beat the crap out of the guy, good times.
Raiha Uesugi (Quintesential Quintuplets) Imouto-chan!
And...
Tsubaki Shinra's Seiyuu, Akiko Kimura, who also voices;
Mito Freecss (HxH 1999) Trust me guys, if Dragon Quest had multiplayer, Togashi would be spawncamped till he started to draw frequently.
Megaman.exe (Megaman Battle Network) Megaman Battle Network on the GBA, NDS, and GameCube... Shit, why are my eyes getting blurry? Is this the end of an era....?
Aoko Aozaki (Tsukihime) THE TSUKIHIME ANIME! THE TSUKIHIME ANIME IS REAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!
And That's All, Folks!
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