The Greedy Frog
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DxD: DO System Chapter 23
🕑 Added 2024-12-31 14:58:54 +0000 UTCChapter 23: A New Recruit
[Dawn — Near Kuoh Town’s Old Church]
The sky was still dark, the sun not quite ready to show up. Most people were still asleep, with only a few out and about for their early morning routines.
“How does this ‘not seeing the supernatural’ thing even work?” Issei asked, pretty sure that some humans must have spotted them flying.
“There’s a spell that erases memories of what people saw, without messing with their heads,” Rias explained, flying ahead of Issei as they neared the church.
Issei couldn’t help but notice how his dragon wings were way brighter than the typical devil wings. He could barely imagine how much harder it’d be to hide those without the magic.
He wondered how much chaos would unfold if humans found out about the magical world. A total nightmare. Paranoia, corruption, you name it.
But it wasn’t his problem to deal with. He wasn’t looking to start any wars—neither were they, hopefully.
The group landed near the church, and flying felt natural to Issei, though his nerves were still on edge. The landing wasn’t as smooth as the others—his mind was screaming at him that it was dangerous.
“You did better than most first-timers,” Akeno said with a knowing smile. “Most people can’t stay in the air for more than a few seconds.”
Issei didn’t respond, a little embarrassed by how rough his landing had been. Even Ddraig stayed quiet on that one, though he tried to reassure him.
“Be careful,” Rias warned, walking toward the old church. “There might still be Fallens inside.”
‘Anything on your end, Ddraig?’ Issei asked, pressing his hand against the church’s wall, genuinely surprised it was still standing after all this time.
‘Nothing,’ Ddraig replied, scanning the area. ‘Aside from that one person in your memories.’
‘That’s why we’re here,’ Issei thought, following behind Rias. He wasn’t the type to think men had to lead—he believed in stepping up when it was necessary, and staying back when it wasn’t.
Of course, there were exceptions. And this wasn’t one of them.
“Akeno,” Rias said as the place got darker than expected.
The queen nodded and took the lead, her hand outstretched. In that moment, Issei got a real kick out of the sight.
‘She’s pretty good with lightning,’ Ddraig commented.
Akeno’s palm crackled with a massive spark, a bright flash of plasma hotter than any fire, lighting up the area.
‘Think devil magic teaches that?’ Issei asked, hoping he could pick up some of that magic someday with his own demonic powers.
‘Not a chance,’ Ddraig chuckled. ‘Elemental magic is a whole different story. But with enough knowledge and the right teachers, you might be able to replicate some of the similar functionalities using demonic energy.’
That gave Issei a bit of hope.
What didn’t give him hope was the creaky floor beneath him, threatening to collapse at any second. He knew this church was ancient, and old churches like these always had some dark secrets.
He really didn’t want to deal with more than he bargained for. The last thing they needed was to accidentally free some vengeful spirit along with a broken floor.
‘Abandoned churches aren’t protected, are they?’ Issei asked, hoping Ddraig would tell him otherwise.
‘This one isn’t,’ the dragon responded. ‘Where there’s no faith, there’s no god. And don’t tell me you’re scared of ghosts, the kid who found Fallen Angels and Devils amusing.’
‘That’s different,’ Issei shot back. ‘There’s nothing scarier than the fear of the unknown.’ He paused for a second, then asked, ‘And, uh… do ghosts actually exist?’
‘You’d be better off focusing on what’s ahead,’ Ddraig said. ‘Even if this was a well-protected church, there’s no god here to shield anyone. You and I both know what that means.’
Issei didn’t press for more info. The reminder that humans weren’t as safe as they liked to think was enough for now.
“I see something…” Akeno’s voice snapped everyone’s attention to her. “And… I don’t think it’s a Fallen.”
Everyone, except for Issei, tensed up, flaring their demonic powers.
But Issei? He was focused on something else entirely.
“Oh my god!” Akeno gasped. “It’s not a Fallen, it’s a human girl.”
The light revealed something horrific.
A girl, unconscious and clearly European in appearance—pale skin, blonde hair, and delicate features you wouldn’t typically see on a Japanese girl.
And then there was the sight you never wanted to see on anyone.
She was naked, tied up, her body marred with cuts and scars. Her lips were torn from obvious abuse, her cheeks bruised a dark purple, and her body was so thin she looked starved. It was clear she had been through unimaginable pain, and her mind was completely out of it.
“What did they do to her?!” Kiba growled, his anger flaring. “Damn Fallens!”
Rias rushed over to check her, desperately searching for any sign of life.
Because while she was a devil, she wasn’t a god with control over life and death. If the girl was dead, reviving her would require using an Evil Piece—and that wasn’t something Rias was willing to use on a complete stranger with no idea of their powers.
Not to mention, there were conditions to bringing someone back, and they were way harder than they sounded. For one, the soul had to be intact—and souls only stayed intact for a brief window after death.
“She… she has no pulse,” Rias said, her face going pale.
“Damn it!” Kiba clenched his fists, his frustration matching Koneko’s quiet frown. Even Akeno seemed shaken by the sight.
Issei, on the other hand, could feel his heartbeat pounding in his chest.
“Calm down,” Ddraig said. “She’s not dead.”
The dragon knew that the girl’s death would be a huge setback.
“She’s alive,” Ddraig continued. “At least, in a way.”
“What do you mean?” Rias asked, her voice laced with confusion. “I can’t feel any pulse.”
“Her soul is still intact,” Ddraig confirmed. “If you can use magic to bind her soul to her body, she can be saved.”
That, however, was the problem.
“I… I can’t,” Rias said bitterly. “I don’t have that kind of magic.”
The group’s faces fell at her words.
‘Ddraig, we need to convince her to use the Evil Pieces,’ Issei thought urgently, frustration bubbling up.
‘How?’ Ddraig replied.
‘She wants powerful pieces, right?’ Issei urged. ‘Convince her the girl has a Sacred Gear. Lie if you have to.’
Issei was desperate. He needed this girl for the future. Her Twilight Healing was too valuable, and her natural dragon-taming abilities made her a key player in the bigger picture.
“The girl…” Ddraig began, building suspense. “She has a growing magical presence inside her.”
“I… I can’t sense anything,” Rias said, confused. “Are you sure?”
“I can’t smell anything either,” Koneko added, her gaze fixed on Issei’s gauntlet.
“It’s not coming from her,” Ddraig explained. “It’s something that’s part of her.”
Rias’ eyes widened, and so did everyone else’s. They knew exactly what the dragon was implying.
“You mean…” Rias started, her voice barely above a whisper.
“She has a Sacred Gear,” Ddraig said, confirming their fears.
“It’s not offensive,” he added. “I can’t sense any offensive power from it. But it’s definitely powerful.”
“An utility type...” Rias murmured, and Akeno quickly jumped in.
“Rias, we need a utility type. We’ve got offense and defense covered, but we’re clearly missing the utility role in our peerage.”
“But she…” Rias trailed off, her gaze moving to the torn pieces of clothing draped over a three-legged chair.
“Those are...”
“Nun clothing.”
Akeno’s lips trembled, and Kiba’s frown was enough to show their hesitation about bringing a nun into their peerage.
“She’d rather die than join a devil’s peerage,” Rias sighed, taking a step back.
“You don’t know that,” Issei countered quickly. “Humans fear those in power. They devote themselves to the gods, but they also fear death. Everyone wants to live, even the ones who are scared.”
“She’s a nun, Issei.” Rias sighed again. “We’re exactly what she’s been taught to stay away from.”
“And what do you think she’ll think of a devil who’s kind and saved her?”
“That we’re acting,” Rias shook her head. “It’s impossible to convince a nun.”
“For how long?” Issei argued. “Human lives are short, but yours isn’t. We have an eternity to change her mind, win her over. But if she dies, it’ll be on us. It’ll be because we couldn’t protect an innocent. You, the Gremory Heiress, the one who’s supposed to protect others—you couldn’t even protect a nun.”
“That’s enough, Issei,” Kiba placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder, frustrated but just as helpless.
“No,” Issei said firmly. “She deserves a chance to live. A chance she should’ve had in the first place. And remember, Ddraig said she has a powerful gear. That’s something that can help the peerage down the line. Humans aren’t impossible to win over. With time, you can even win over a nun.” He looked at Rias. “Yes, even as a devil.”
Rias bit her lip, clearly torn. “What if she doesn’t forgive us? We’re taking away the one thing she’s dedicated her life to.”
“What?” Issei scoffed. “Life? There’s nothing more precious than life.”
Akeno stepped up behind Rias. “Rias, you’re not like most devils. You’re kinder than most humans, too. If she doesn’t understand, she’s free to leave afterward.”
Even Kiba seemed to side with Issei a little. “It’ll take time, but the Satans clearly stated that there are conditions where a peerage member can be pardoned, and the Evil Piece can be returned. If this isn’t one of those situations, I don’t know what is.”
“Do you think the gear is strong enough?” Rias glanced at Issei’s gauntlet.
“I’m confident,” the Dragon replied.
That made Rias soften a little, and she looked at him. “And are you sure she’ll ever forgive me?”
“I’m confident,” Issei said, giving her a reassuring look.
Rias exhaled, gripping her left arm as she walked over to the girl, still tied up. “Then bring her down, get some Phoenix Tears ready, and find her some clothes.” She sighed, glancing at Issei. “I hope I don’t regret this.”
“You won’t,” Issei reassured her.
