**Chapter 8**
**Issei PoV**
With the heavy and gruff voice of Ddraig, my right arm felt heavier. And my eyes zoomed in on the priest.
The priest also pulled out a revolver and a lightsaber? Is this freaking Star Wars?
(Be careful, Partner. Both of them reek of holy energy, damage from either weapon won't heal easily!)
The gun is my priority, until Dragon shot charges, I can't do much in long range.
On that note, I need to work on my long-range skills.
"Now I am going to rip your heart from your chest!!!"
Yep! The guy's crazy.
I jumped back as he lunged at me, his sword came way too close for my comfort.
Although I can sense he is weaker than the fallen guys. So two or three Boosts should be enough.
"And then with my lovely gun, I am going to put a hole in your head, and then slurp your blood!!!"
"Are you sure you aren't a vampire?"
[BOOST!]
My arm won't be affected by the sword or bullet, right, Ddraig?
(Yes, it is a dragon-type sacred gear.)
Then let's get pounding!
The crazy bastard pointed his gun at my legs, I jumped and the wooden floor was blasted, throwing splinters at me.
I ignored them and rushed to Freed. He seemed prepared and swiveled on his legs, too bad I am not going to punch him just yet.
I dropped down and swept his legs, making his attempt to slash my back futile.
"Argh!"
Why is he screaming like that?
I quickly stood up and stomped on his hand holding the revolver. His hand let go and I kicked the accursed weapon into the corner of the room.
"Ughaa!"
Freed was clutching his hand and it was bruised, badly. Some skin was ripped and blood was dripping on the carpet.
And why the hell is his scream like this?
Good, now if I could just deal with the sword. And would you look at that, the idiot is clutching his hand instead of holding his only weapon in his hands.
Laughable, how did this guy become a priest?
(I don't think he is a priest. Or more accurately, he is a priest who was kicked out of the Vatican.)
Makes sense.
While I had the short monologue with Ddraig, Freed got up and glared at me with hatred in his eyes.
"You damned filthy scum! How dare you hurt me!!!! I will chop you into pieces!!!"
"Yeah sure, old man. But first here's your daily dose of anti-heresy medicine!"
I joked as I lunged towards the maniacally deranged priest. Did I just say such an extravagant word?
"Screw you! Devil scum!!"
He tried to catch my arm, too bad I am really good at landing my punches. I weaved through his pathetic attempt to stop my attack.
[BOOST!]
The timing was diabolical, here I was just expecting a concussion, and now I could make him go to sleep.
My punch landed squarely on his unguarded cheek.
And I was rewarded with a satisfying sound of metal ripping flesh and cracking bone.
*Crackle*
But testament to his job, the stray priest wasn't out of the battle yet.
Well more pain for him.
I didn't stop and used this opportunity to land a devious liver shot on him. And like most, he just shrugged it off.
Well, he's going to be in a world of pain soon.
"You fucking piece of shit! Just because you have a Longinus, you think you can beat me— Blargh!!"
And then the pain hit him.
He barfed out blood and doubled over in pain. His knees folded and he groaned like a beast about to die.
*Khff- Argh!*
Yeah, I am not letting this chance go to waste.
[BOOST!]
My eyes landed behind Freed, and what I saw made the bile once again rise in my throat.
Is that a pentagram of blood?
(Partner, Focus!)
But it was too late, Freed was already throwing a vial at me.
I raised my gauntlet-covered hand, but it was a big mistake.
The vial shattered as it touched the Boosted Gear and water landed on my torso and other hand.
A burning sensation like I had never felt assaulted my nerves.
"Fuckkkkkkkk!!!!!"
(Partner, Calm down! Focus on the fight!)
I am trying, Ddraig.
I was fighting the pain and the nausea at once, my stance was non-existent and my legs were wobbly.
My flickering eyes saw Freed lifting his sword and rushing at me, the light from the sword made me feel even weaker.
Fuck it, Ddraig!
[BOOST!]
[Dragon Shot!]
The pulsing red orb of draconic energy launched from my clawed arm and reached Freed's head in no time.
Neither of us was ready for that. My aim was his chest, while he didn't think I could do that.
*Spalt*
And the orb blew up Freed's head. Like a fountain, blood spewed from his neck.
And slowly like a puppet who lost his puppeteer, the body fell down and increased the already big puddle of blood.
My legs gave out and I collapsed down on the effects of the Holy Water had gone down by now and I could feel my strength returning.
"Ddraig, what was that? Do all Priests have such things?"
[Why do you think the Gremory told you not to try to take a priest on your own? Although the revolver is rare, and normal holy water shouldn't be this harmful. This one must be blessed by someone, of real pure heart.]
"Shit!"
I knew that most probably Asia was the one who blessed the holy water which nearly killed me.
I need to take care of this problem by tomorrow. I won't be able to live in peace otherwise.
I stood up, still weak and my eyes again landed on the crucified body of the middle-aged man.
With a pentagram drawn around it with blood.
And finally, I couldn't hold it back in anymore. My stomach twisted violently and so I rushed towards the bathroom.
*Hurk!*
My stomach retched as I emptied out my stomach. And it didn't stop there.
*Bleergh!*
Even my lunch came out. Finally feeling a bit better I flushed the toilet and cleaned my face and mouth.
[Don't feel bad, Partner. Sooner or later you will have to get used to such things.]
"I know that Ddraig. But still, that was just a normal human living his life. And it's even more scary that I don't feel sad or get nightmares for killing."
[That is to be expected. Becoming a devil changes how you perceive the world. To devils, killing is normal so you don't get affected, but such gory things unsettle even devils.]
"Thank goodness I didn't get nauseous while fighting the fallen."
[The fallen were stronger than you, your attacks couldn't kill them with ease. The priest was weaker. Harden up your mind, Partner. You can't get like this when fighting later on.]
"I know Ddraig. The question is how can I get Rias and others to help me beat up the remaining fallens?"
[Unless the Crows do something to anger the Gremory, forget about their help. The three factions are under a very fragile peace. Even a small spark can start a war. Your best bet is to deal with this alone. As a dragon should.]
"Yeah. Like hell! One priest had me on my knees. How am I supposed to handle a dozen of them and some fallens as well?"
But first pause, the phrasing needed to be better.
[Calm down, Partner. Going like a brawler won't help. But we can plan this out. Think, a warrior isn't only strong but also smart.]
Ddraig's advice calmed me down. I was standing at the door of the house. My mind was racing.
How can I win even against such overwhelming odds?
"Ddraig, Eureka!"
[What?]
"I know how I can. But first, let me take some things."
I rushed in and picked up a sword of light which was off and the holy revolver.
My mind truly is devious. Sometimes my genius, it generates gravity!
[I see what you plan on doing Partner. Befitting of a devil, I must say.]
Yeah, the bastards won't know what hit them.
…
I reached home. There was a lot of dried blood all over my body. I planned to say that we were experimenting with food coloring and then this happened.
So let's hope my parents don't suspect me too much.
*Ding-Dong*
I rang the doorbell and waited for the door to open. The door creaked open and my father peeked out.
"So you will come this late all the time now?"
I guess it is past eleven.
"Maybe. We had some things to do at the club."
"Fine. Just remember to tell us beforehand."
"Yes. Otou-san."
I said as I walked in. I didn't see Dad say anything about Asia.
"Hey, Otou-san. Where is Asia?"
"Asia? Do you mean the continent? We live on it, you fool!"
My steps halted here. I looked at my father who was shaking his head and asked with my eyes squinting.
"Dad, you really know nothing about a girl named Asia, blonde-haired, green eyes?"
"No, why?"
Well, shit.
"Ah! You see, our club is looking to find a girl like that. She went missing and many people say she is a spirit now. Also, we would be searching for her tonight."
"I still don't understand what is so good about mingling with such weirdos, but whatever. And what do you mean by tonight?"
Alright, here goes everything.
"I mean I will go out right now. After a quick bath!"
I said as I ran to my room. I closed the door behind me and threw my clothes away in the basket.
And sat in the bathtub, the faucet was turned at lightning speed and cold water started filling in.
So, Ddraig. What are my chances right now?
(I would say more than 50, if you plan and execute it decently. But remember, stay calm.)
So I can do this. Alright. So one of the fallen came and took Asia away, and they mind-wiped my parents as well.
(That does seem to be the case right now.)
Also, Rias would soon come to know that one of Koneko's contractors is dead. That means I have less than an hour to save Asia.
(Indeed. So we need to act quickly.)
Alright, so here's the plan.
I dress up as a priest and lure the other Priests into groups. Then I kill them all one by one.
After that, I will deal with the fallens, preferably not all at once.
(The plan is simple and seems decent. But how will you execute it? You need multiple diversions.)
Yeah, that is where Transfer will be used.
(I see, that is really good. Let's get going, Partner.)
But before that, we eat, and then we destroy.
(Sometimes I wonder if you really are serious about stuff like this.)
…
"I really don't like the feel of this place. It seems like I will get skewered anytime."
(Brings bad memories?)
Not the worst but I think it would count as a bad memory. But there is one question I would really like to ask.
(What is it?)
How the hell do these priests fight in such a fancy dress?
My leg gets stuck in the cloth every other step! It took me fifteen minutes to walk here, I couldn't even run!!!
(...)
You know what, forget it, I am taking this shit off the moment I get my job done.
Let's get started, Ddraig!
[Dragon Booster!]
With the declaration of the Red Dragon Emperor, the Longinus appeared on my arm.
[BOOST!]
The rush of power feels euphoric, but now is not the time to think about this.
But important things first. My powerful right hand raised and caught hold of the white cloak and lifted it up, just a little bit.
And now I can finally run!
(This feels so stupid!)
Yeah, me too, but I need to run.
I rushed, the feeling of weakness was getting stronger so was the anxiety within me. But I had a reason to fight.
I still haven't seen Asia in a school uniform!!
(That is the reason why we are going into the enemy hideout!!!)
Of course, why else?
(No, no I think our priorities are messed up somehow.)
Calm down Ddraig, we will be fine.
(You know what, that's right. We are this generation's Red Dragon Emperor, we can't lose to some third-rate stray priests and Crows! Show them, Partner!)
Hell Yeah!
[BOOST!]
My legs carried me fast, and I landed near one of the clearings in the forest covering the abandoned church.
[BOOST!]
I took out the revolver I had permanently borrowed from Freed and placed it on the ground.
Okay, Ddraig. Transfer all my power into the revolver.
[Transfer!]
The green jewel in the Boosted Gear glowed and I felt my power decrease, but I was prepared for this.
Okay, now it should blow up, right?
(It should.)
Trusting the millennia-old Dragon in my arm, I buried the revolver under some dirt and climbed up a tree and hid behind its leaves and branches.
So, when will it blow up?
(Be patient. If it blows now your plan would not work, right?)
Yeah it won't, I need a dragon shot ready. I will end the first group in one hit.
(Then wait. Three Boosts should be enough to kill the average priest.)
Aye, Aye, captain.
[BOOST!]
Wait, I should promote!
(You remembered it?)
Well, I did read all those heavy books Akeno-san gave to me. I had no idea devils had history and other important stuff I needed to know.
I guess the Queen would be the best right now, or the Bishop? Yeah, let's go with Bishop.
I closed my eyes and felt the source of my devil power inside me.
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight?
Holy hell, I have eight pawns? I am too overpowered.
(Focus, Partner!)
Yeah, Promote, Bishop!
I felt one of the pieces respond to my will and changed its shape to resemble a bishop.
I also felt something change within me, but I couldn't put a finger on it.
(Your magic power was enhanced, quite significantly. I think two Boosts might be enough for a Dragon Shot now.)
That's an amazing feeling.
[BOOST!]
*Booom!*
And the revolver blew up. It threw dirt all over the place and created a large enough sound.
The bastards should be running here right now. I clenched my hands holding the branches.
And my eyes focused on the dirt path that led to the church.
Alright. Time to start the siege.
…
AN:- Chapter number 8! Throw me some stones!!