Chapter 22: A Past Unveiled

That night, after club activities at my place...

"Good evening. I'm a servant of Gremory."

I teleported to the client's location for a demon's request, but... no one's around.

Did I get the wrong spot?

I scan the room again. It's spacious, with an expensive-looking sofa and desk. The window offers a stunning view of the city at night. This must be a luxury apartment.

Then, the door opens. A man with black hair streaked with gold steps in, exuding a bad-boy vibe. Handsome, in a rogue kind of way.

"You are...?"

"I'm from Gremory. You summoned a demon, right?"

"Oh, you're the one. Sorry, had to hit the bathroom right before you showed up."

Makes sense. He was in the john when I arrived.

"Take a seat, demon boy."

He leaves the room, and I settle on the sofa. Man, this thing's comfy. I'd love one at home, but no space for it.

He returns with a glass and a bottle of wine.

"Here, have some."

"Sorry, I'm underage. Can't drink."

"Huh, my bad. Wanted a drinking buddy."

"That's the request?"

"Is that a problem?"

"Not at all. Fulfill your wish, and I'll take a fair price."

"Alright, keep me company then. All I got is booze. Ice water okay?"

"Sure."

He fills a glass with ice.

"Hahaha! Sounds like you're whipped by the ladies!"

"Am I?"

It's been about thirty minutes. All we've done is chat my school life, home routine, friends. Mundane stuff. Yet he's laughing his head off.

"Man, talking to a young guy is a blast."

"Really? You seem plenty young yourself."

"Flattering, but I'm older than I look. Oh, look at the time. Let's wrap this up."

He glances at his watch.

"Already?"

"Yeah, had my fun. So, what's the price? Your soul or something?"

Whoa, dark much? Souls were a thing back in the day, but not anymore.

"Nah, no souls for a drinking buddy."

"Pretty chill for a demon."

"My master's all about fair deals."

"Then how about that?"

He points to a large painting on the wall. Looks pricey.

"It's no replica. Medieval piece. Got it by chance, but I'm not into art."

"You sure? It's valuable."

"Only thing I've got. Unless you want my soul."

"No, no, the painting's fine!"

The deal's sealed. I get the painting, and he says he'll call me again. Seems a bit shady, but I'll deal with that later.

As I prepare to leave, a message from the club president comes in.

—A stray demon's appeared.

"I'm here."

"Faster than expected. Sorry for the sudden call."

I drop the painting at the clubroom and meet the president at an abandoned factory on the town's outskirts.

"No worries. The stray's in there?"

I sense a demonic presence and the stench of blood.

"The Archduke ordered us to take it down tonight."

"It's that dangerous. With Issei here, we'll manage, but this is training. Everyone's in. Asia, stay back. Akeno and I will guard outside. Issei, Koneko, and Yuto, lure it out."

"Got it, President."

"Understood."

Yuto doesn't respond. He's not even listening.

"Yuto?"

"Huh? Oh, right. Got it."

He answers only after the president calls him. Something's been off with him since he saw that photo earlier.

"Yuto, if you're not up for it, stay outside."

"I'm fine, Issei. I'm going in."

"Alright, but focus. Even a weaker foe can kill if you slip up."

"…I know."

He falls silent. I'm worried, but there's no time to talk.

"Let's move, Yuto, Koneko."

"Yes."

"Yeah."

We storm the factory. The blood stench hits hard. How many has this stray killed?

There it is a delicate, almost beautiful girl. But...

"GRAAAH!"

It's a monster, completely unhinged. No wonder it's dangerous.

"First strike wins."

Koneko attacks but misses. It's fast, dodging her follow-ups with ease. Yuto's our best bet for speed, but...

He's just standing there, gripping his sword, unfocused. This isn't just a lapse it's bad.

"Yuto! Snap out of it!"

My shout startles him. He swings at the stray, but his attacks are weak, easily blocked. Koneko tries to cover, but their teamwork's off.

Guess I've got no choice.

Usually, I support the team for their training, but this calls for me to step up.

"Koneko, Yuto, back off!"

They clear the way. I channel my energy, landing a brutal punch to the stray's gut, blood splattering everywhere.

"Game over."

I fire an energy blast at point-blank range, obliterating it. I meant to lure it out, but with its strength and our state, someone could've gotten hurt.

Ugh, my uniform's soaked in blood. Akeno's gonna have to fix it again.

Koneko gives me a sympathetic, "Don't worry."

"Thanks, Akeno."

"No trouble at all."

Outside, Akeno cleans the blood off my uniform. I owe her one. Then—

Slap!

A sharp sound echoes. The president smacks Yuto's cheek.

"Get it together. Issei saved us, but one mistake could've been deadly."

"Sorry, President. You're right. Without Issei, I'd have been useless. I'm off today. Excuse me."

"Yuto!"

He walks off, looking indifferent. That's not the Yuto I know. He'd never talk to the president like that.

I grab her shoulder as she tries to stop him.

"Issei?"

"It's no use talking to him now. Right, Yuto?"

He looks down, silent.

"Revenge?"

"…How'd you know?"

"Just a guess."

"You're right. I live for revenge to destroy the holy sword Excalibur."

Excalibur. Even I, with my limited knowledge of this world, know that name.

"Listen, Yuto. Obsessing over revenge blinds you to what matters. Look around."

"What's that mean?"

"Just what I said. You'll get it someday."

I hope he realizes soon what's truly important. He leaves without another word.

"The Holy Sword Project?"

The president nods.

"Yes, Yuto's a survivor of it."

Back home, Asia and I ask about Yuto and the holy sword. The president explains the Holy Sword Project, a plan to artificially train people to wield holy swords.

Asia's hearing this for the first time. Makes sense saints like her wouldn't know about secret projects.

"Holy swords are lethal to demons. One cut can erase us. But wielders are rare, maybe one every few decades. Hence the project."

It's a big deal for the church. Success means more weapons against demons.

"Yuto was trained to wield Excalibur."

"So he can use it?"

She shakes her head.

"No. He couldn't adapt. None of the trainees could. The project failed."

Even Yuto, a master of demonic swords, couldn't handle it.

She continues, "When the church realized they failed, they labeled the trainees defective and… disposed of them."

"Disposed."

A sickening word.

"That's awful…" Asia's eyes tear up, hand over her mouth.

The president narrows her eyes, clearly upset.

"Yuto barely survived. When I found him, he was near death but swore revenge. His talent was warped by the holy sword. I wanted him to live as a demon, free from that obsession. But he can't let it go."

I get it. I lost a friend in another world and was consumed by revenge. But Alice, my master, Ddraig, and others helped me move on. I want Yuto to see he has us.

"For now, we'll watch him. He's too fixated on the sword."

I agree. Oh, I forgot to show her the photo.

"President, Yuto saw this and remembered the sword."

I hand her the picture. She frowns.

"He said it's a holy sword."

"Not as strong as Excalibur, but definitely a holy sword."

So it was one, right under our noses.

'Partner, you were just a human before this world. No wonder you didn't know.'

Yeah, guess I need to study holy swords and myths.

"The man in the photo is a holy sword user. I heard my predecessor was destroyed, but this explains it…"

She trails off, lost in thought. After a moment, she snaps back.

"No use dwelling on it now. It's late. Let's sleep."

She starts undressing.

"President!? Why are you stripping!?"

"I can't sleep clothed."

"Not that! Why in my room!?"

"To sleep with you, obviously."

What!? Sleep with me!?

"Then I'll sleep with Issei too!"

Asia starts stripping. Don't compete!

The door opens.

"You're back, big bro."

Miu, in pajamas.

"Miu!? Weren't you asleep?"

"Was. Went to the bathroom and heard you."

Oh, normal reason. Wait, no!

How do I explain two girls in their underwear in my room?

"Rias, Asia, what's going on?"

Please, answer well…

"I'm sleeping with Issei."

"Me too!"

Too honest! M Spielberg!

Miu trembles.

"Miu?"

"You're hogging him! I'm sleeping with you too!"

She starts undressing.

"Why you too!?"

"They're naked, so why not?"

"You don't have to!"

That night, I slept with three naked girls. The bed was so cramped, I was sandwiched between them, too excited to sleep.