Chapter: 95
I decided that rushing off to alternate dimensions, in a 1 in 15 shot I made it back to Earth Marvel, was probably a bad idea. As a gamer, I wasn't even tired from going all day, but my companions were all tired. Sif's armor was also borderline destroyed after taking a thrashing from Grayfia. She wouldn't be fighting in it again anytime soon, not until we could get back to Asgard and have it repaired at least. Good thing for her, I knew Penemue had a few sets of armor tucked away from the Great War. She probably wouldn't mind if I lent one of them to Sif.
The pitch-black wartime armor of the Fallen Angels would look hot when matched with Sif's beautiful blond hair and golden eyes.
We were all taking a breather and were in the cafeteria getting a quick meal. I say cafeteria, but it was more like a never ending all you can eat buffet with 5 star chefs. The Grigori had money to spare and didn't skimp on luxuries.
"This is really tasty! What is it called?" Asia asked.
"That's pizza, Asia," I said. "Aren't you from Italy?" I asked with concern.
"Oh! So this is pizza! The priests who managed my life never allowed me to eat anything like this. They called it an extravagant indulgence." Asia explained.
I could understand her never having a cheeseburger since that's more of an American thing. But she never had pizza? She's Italian! That's practically blasphemy!
The more Asia talked about her life, the more I felt bad for her. She was pretty much a slave from my interpretation. Her church's head priests were raking in millions in "donation money" off her healing while giving her nothing in return. She lived in a very tiny room with no TV, internet or any real entertainment to speak of. All she was given was the Bible and orders to pray all day long when she wasn't healing people…
Her getting excommunicated as a witch was probably a good thing given the circumstances. I also marveled at the stupidity of the priests who kicked her out. How exactly were they planning on making any more money once their cash cow was gone? If they were smart, then they would have covered up her healing the devil and never spoken of it to anyone…
Sif placed her hand on Asia's shoulder comfortingly. "While slavery is still technically allowed on Asgard, it is only reserved for the most heinous of criminals as a punishment!" Sif said. "Make no mistake, young Asia. You are now under our protection, and we shall not let you be treated that way ever again."
Asia started tearing up. "Really? Is that like–is that like being family?" She asked with a hopeful look.
"Of course it is, Asia. I would love for us to be family," I said.
Raynare was sitting across the table sulking. "Tsk, what family!" She said angrily as she glared at me. "There were a dozen real Sacred Gears down there in the workshop, and you wouldn't let me have a single one!" She was still upset over me getting a second Sacred Gear when I had prevented her from taking Asia's…
"First of all, those are all Azazel's Gears that he uses for research. Secondly, they're all trash. The best Gear he had in his workshop was a fragment of Vitra, and without the complete set, those Sacred Gears are pretty much useless." I explained to her.
"I don't care about that! All I care about is getting stronger so Azazel notices me!" Raynare shouted loudly.
Ugh… Fangirls.
"Raynare… you and Azazel are never happening. You know he's currently with Penemue. They're even trying to have a child together." I said.
A look of shock overcame her as she stood up and slammed her arms on the table. "What!? No, that can't be!" She slumped back down and looked crushed.
My words did not go unnoticed by the other Fallen in the cafeteria, mostly because of how loud and cringy Raynare was currently being.
"Azazel and Penemue are having a child!"
"This is wondrous news!"
"We gotta tell everyone!"
A bunch of my eavesdropping siblings started cheering and frantically ran out of the cafeteria, presumably to go and spread the gossip.
Raynare's outburst had not seemed to bother Asia at all as she was still on cloud nine and giggling to herself about finally having a family. I figured I'd have to take her back to Earth Marvel with me anyway so none of the other Fallen got any ideas about her Sacred Gear either. Most of them wouldn't stoop low enough to steal a human's Sacred Gear, but not all of them, unfortunately. I wouldn't be able to protect her from a whole dimension away.
"You know, Asia, Michael and Gabriel are apparently very close to being able to turn humans into Angels. And unlike the Evil Pieces, the new Angels won't be slaves to their 'kings.' I think you'd make an excellent angel." I said. "Then we'd be a real family as well."
Asia looked ecstatic at the prospect as she started shaking giddily. "Really!? Oh, that would be so lovely!" Then she paused her excitement and frowned. "But wasn't I kicked out of the church for being a witch?"
"You were," I said. "But the church and Heaven are not the same thing. Does the human-led church speak for Heaven, Asia?" I asked her. I still didn't mention anything about Father… that was a can of worms that we could open later.
Asia shook her head. "Of course not! The Bible teaches humans are flawed and that we make mistakes. Are you saying it was a mistake that I was kicked out of the church?"
"No, it was done on purpose. It was all planned out." I said bluntly. 'Better to rip the band-aid off.' I supposed.
"What do you mean, Layla?" Sif asked. "Was Asia's fate some form of trickery? Oh, how I loathe trickery!" Sif declared as she pounded the table. Her eyes were burning with fury as she was probably reminiscing about all the pranks Loki had probably pulled on her over the millennia.
Asia looked saddened as well. "The priests betrayed me?"
I nodded to her sadly. I then explained to her my theory. How could Diodora Astaroth get into the heart of the Vatican itself otherwise? "And then he just happened to end up at the one church you lived in, Asia? Why didn't he just go to a hospital?" I explained to her. "No, he must have paid off your priests, and they let him inside. Once you healed him and were excommunicated, he would be able to take you into his peerage as 'thanks' for saving him," I finished explaining the "plot" to her. Asia looked sick and horrified that such a thing had happened to her.
"Those bastards!" Sif exclaimed. "We must reclaim vengeance and justice for Asia! Our newest sister!" Sif's sword materialized, and she brandished it into the air.
And we would. Starting with a certain letter I had sent out earlier to my favorite sister who lived in the clouds.
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Chapter: 96
It was the next day, and we had visitors in the Underworld. Baraqiel and I were meeting them in a private meeting room.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Layla! If that dummy Azazel had gotten you hurt, then I don't know what I would have done!" Gabriel said as she wrapped me in a tight hug. She didn't let me go for almost a minute straight.
At least until Michael politely coughed and she begrudgingly let me go.
Gabriel really was as described. She was argued by many to be the most beautiful woman in the entire world, and I could definitely see it. She was definitely a beauty that could topple nations. Thankfully, I had no weird feelings for her. To me, she was just my older sister. One that was very overprotective of her family.
To most people, she was a sweet and kind being, but that's the front she puts on. In wartime, Gabriel was one of the most devoted and ruthless Angels. She probably has a higher body count than any other Angel as she would routinely burn down entire Devil villages in the underworld!
"Yes, I am also glad you're okay, Layla." Michael–the leader of Heaven–said in a much more calm tone. If someone described Michael as one of the most chill and nicest guys in existence, they wouldn't be wrong. He also is one of the strongest. Those gold wings he inherited aren't just for show. Sirzechs Lucifer might think he's the top dog of our pantheon, but he's dead wrong. Michael's gold wings allow him to draw upon the power of Heaven to drastically enhance his own already crazy power. I have no doubt that the calm guy in front could destroy the entire planet.
"Our leader isn't so irresponsible. It didn't take him long to get her back." Baraqiel replied to Gabriel. I could tell he was a bit nervous at having the number 1 and 2 of Heaven in the Grigori HQ, especially with Azazel and Penemue gone. Baraqiel would have no chance against Michael and Gabriel if they attacked. Not that they ever would.
The butterfly effect was a real thing, and it might be arrogant to say, but my existence has definitely chilled Heaven and the Grigori out from constantly being at each other's throats.
Instead, we all chose to hate the devils together!
[Hurray for collective racism!]
'I hate the way you phrased that…but yeah.'
[I know…]
"Uh huh… sure." Gabriel replied back to Baraqiel noncommittally. "I'm sure Layla being spirited away to who knows where for a month had nothing to do with him…" She said sarcastically.
"Sister, I'm sure it was an accident. If anything, it worked out for Layla. I can feel she is much stronger now. And she has 2 Sacred Gears! I didn't think that was even possible!" Michael said happily before frowning slightly. "Although one of them feels… off."
"That's probably Azazel's artificial gear. I'm not sure what he made it out of, and I had to add a focus piece from Earth Marvel to get it working right." I explained.
"Earth Marvel?" Michael asked.
So then I explained to them what I had gone through since I disappeared. I told them of ending up back in our true home universe and living on the half of the world that was left behind.
At the mention of so many people being left behind, Michael and Gabriel looked guilty.
"Remarkable. The people of that Earth haven't seen a single angel for over 1000 years, and they still hold their faith!" Gabriel said while clapping. "I can't wait for the world to unite again. An influx of billions of more believers would be so hopeful to Heaven."
Michael, however, didn't look too sure. "The system is already struggling with the current number of humans. 1000 years ago, the human population wasn't even 1 billion. Now it's at 8. If it suddenly jumped to 16… I have no doubt it would collapse." Michael lamented.
That didn't sound good.
"And what would that entail?" Baraqiel asked. "How bad could a crash of Heaven's system be?"
Michael shuddered. "Well, for one, prayers will no longer be heard or answered. Secondly, the Sacred Gear reincarnation system would also end. And third… We Angels require faith to sustain ourselves. Without it…" Michael trailed off.
"We'll figure something out, Michael. This isn't the first crisis we've faced," Gabriel said. "I'm more worried about the reaction the other pantheons will have. Sure, they'll be happy to have double the territories, but there will also be inevitable conflict that arises when the people from two different Earths are forced to live together. It's a good thing Layla is already getting on top of the gravity issue. You have a really smart human friend for him to have thought of that. That could have been devastating." Gabriel explained as she paced the room. She gave Michael a reassuring smile that seemed to calm him down.
"I suppose it's time we got to the real reason we're here today." Gabriel said as she looked at me seriously.
"Hmm? Wasn't it because of the letter I sent you about Asia? How Diodora Astaroth has been bribing higher-ups in the church?" I asked.
Gabriel grimaced but shook her head. "No. That will be dealt with… but it's not the reason. Although I will personally apologize to Asia myself later. And when the Brave Saints system is complete, I would be more than happy to allow her to become an angel."
I smiled. "That's good. She deserves it."
Michael nodded. "Indeed. But the reason we're here is because of the bounty the devils have placed on your group." He said seriously.
I have a bounty?
I couldn't help but laugh. All I needed now was a straw hat and a ship!
"This is serious, Layla," Gabriel said in a no-nonsense tone. "The bounty was issued by Sirzechs himself. $50 billion for you to be brought to him alive. $10 billion for Akeno's return…"
"Over my dead body!" Baraqiel stood up angrily and shouted.
Michael nodded to the man. "Quite so. Your friend who claims to be the goddess Sif has a bounty of $15 billion, and finally, a Fallen Angel named Raynare has a bounty of $1 billion. Thankfully, Asia wasn't issued a bounty as well at least. Sirzechs had, however, privately contacted me and asked about her potentially joining his sister's peerage." Michael finished.
"Of course, we told him that she was no longer part of our faction and was with the Grigori." Gabriel added slyly. I gave her a thumbs up for that one.
Ha! I must have really pissed the devil's off! Serves them right. Although, even for supernaturals, those bounties were an absolute shit ton of liquid capital to throw around. The second I stepped outside the HQ, I'd probably have every kind of supernatural coming for me. All except the youkai who hate the devils for wiping out the Nekoshou at least. That was if I was planning to stick around Earth DxD…
I was not.
I had too much to do back on Earth Marvel, and I was heading back there anyway. Let them search for me all they wanted! They'd never find me across the dimensional gap!
I voiced these thoughts to my siblings.
"That's a good idea. Obviously, you'll be taking Sif back with you, but would you consider taking Asia and Akeno as well?" Michael suggested.
Baraqiel grimaced. "As loath as I am to separate from my daughter so soon after reuniting with her… that might be for the best. No doubt the spoiled Gremory Princess is causing a huge ruckus after losing my daughter as her queen." Baraqiel said.
"As for Asia… I heard about Raynare trying to steal her sacred gear. For shame. What can I expect from a sister who fell due to envy though…" Gabriel said with a sad sigh.
Well, at least they didn't ask me to take Raynare with me as well...
"Ok… it's decided then." I said. "I'll take Asia and Akeno with me when I go back."
They nodded. "Now then…" Gabriel looked at me with stars in her eyes and an excited grin. "What's this news I heard about my baby sister developing a harem!?"
"…"
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