Chapter 22 - Soul

Deep in the night where the moon was full and illuminated the night sky with no clouds in sight that showcase the twinkling stars in the sky. From below was a deep forest devoid of any people as shadow blur move swiftly then stopped as it flinches and held out his hand as invisible force field was seen.

It was a person dressed in a ragged robe that hid his face but a wind blew showing brown spikey hair and red crimson eyes were shown. It was obviously our protagonist, Issei who arrived in the region where vampires lived. He was there to saved Valerie Tepes who was held captive by her brother Marius Tepes.

His blood boils every time he recalled the state she was in when they saved her in the past life. The only reason why he decided tip save her now was he was weak to save her but now he has a based power of a D-ranked super class devil. This makes him confident in only minimal power and avoids using boosted gear in order for the Tepes Faction to know it was him.

The only one who could push him to get serious is Rizevim Livan Lucifer who is around a B-ranked Super class devil. He won't hesitate to kill him if needed since he was the one who hurt Vali the most. Though it's better if it was Vali the one to kill since SHE is the one who hates him the most.

Issei cast illusion magic to his face then proceeded to break the barrier by using Penetrate. It allowed him to bypass the barrier and quickly entered being greeted by medieval towns and cities that remind him of Gremory territory. He didn't have the luxury to have a tour and dash to the main palace scanning where Valerie was.

Upon arriving at the castle he was able to sense where she was below the castle floors in a dungeon. He swiftly moves passing by few vampire guards undetected.

It didn't take him much time to reach his destination. Issei saw a gloomy room with few books on the floor and the only candle was the only light source it had. He then saw a young woman with short blonde hair and red eyes dress in beautiful white clothes. However, her eyes were hollow devoid of life and emotion mentally broken from the overused of her sacred gear.

"….Who are you."

Despite her broken state she turns to look at Issei who was a cloak to hide his identity which alarms Valerie but due to her state did not have hope in anything thinking he was another one who will torture her endlessly.

Issei clenches his fist and removes his hood and illusion to ensure Valerie could trust him. He made sure no one was coming and gave warm smile much to Valerie's surprise. The Sephiroth Graal within her was reacting in Issei's presence which was removing its side effect from her.

"My name is Issei. I come to rescue you."

"Rescue me? Why would you rescue me? Are you here to use me too?"

Her voice was quite laced with distrust from the constant torture that made Issei become cold showing his old personality. The butcher. The killer.

The one who fought the outer gods. The soul of the dead was reacting from Issei's anger which made every enemy he had met shiver in fear. He calmed down and gave reassuring smile to Valerie.

"Don't worry I'll promise you that I will show you a bright world where you are free and unbound by this place. Additionally, I know where your friend, Gasper is."

Valerie's eyes shone with Hope from his words. Her best friend Gasper who she helped escaped and who she dearly missed. SHE was the only one who been nice to her and was a fellow Dhampir.

"A-Are you telling the truth? You really know where Gasper is?"

Her hollow eyes were regaining their light which made Issei small while nodding glad that Valerie was slowly trusting him.

"Yes, Gasper is currently a reincarnated devil in the house of Gremory. I promised that I won't use and only wish to help me with your power to revive a lover of mine."

Valerie who saw his enticing red eyes that held honesty. She could sense if someone lying with her ability and Issei did not could any lies only Hopes and Truth. Her heart was beating knowing her pain and suffering was coming to an end.

"…I see your not lying. I'm Valerie Tepes and please take me out of this terrible place."

Finally gaining her trust, Issei used a magic spell to remove marker place into her then replace it to the bed to ensure no one will know she disappeared. He took her in bridal carry much to Valerie heart that her blush a bit seeing Issei face up close.

Valerie feel at ease when Issei carried her forgetting that she once had he remind broken. Issei used teleportation to escape the place before anyone could sense they we're gone.

"Tell me Issei-san how do you know about Gasper."

"Well I am also a devil in the house of Gremory but I hadn't personally met Gasper as she had enclosed herself from other people afraid going outside."

"Wait you're telling me you hadn't met her but you said you know Gasper?"

"I can't explain it now since it would cause a problem but I hope you can trust me until then."

"I trust you, Issei-san. Every time words did not contain a single lie."

"Hehehe thank you, Valerie for trusting me."

They both chatted with other telling enough to not revealed anything. She became happy that her friend had found people that would take care of her unlike in the Tepes faction where they both get ridicule for being a dhampir.

Issei took the sleeping Valerie and teleported back to his home that he shared with the two dragon gods. He planned to bring Valerie to Great red and Ophis home to temporarily stat until she can get use to in her new living environment.

He arrived to his home being greeted by the two Dragon gods who saw Valerie and nodded. Issei could have ask one of them to revive Irene but she refused their help.

"So Aniki another one?"

Issei only warily smiled as he brought the sleeping Valerie to the bed. He smiled seeing her peacefully sleeping.

'Sorry Irene but you need to wait until she's ready.'

[I don't mind few more days but what are you going to tell the devils?]

"That's tough but I can place illusion magic to change her appearances. She can reveal herself once everything down."

Issei knew it would be hectic if vampire faction were to find out she was with him. The illusion magic would be strong enough to make her appear human to hide her vampire heritage.

"The hard part is when she finally meet Gasper."

[Just tell them that I was the one who instructed you and they won't asked more.]

Issei doubt that but nodded since I was the only way escaping their questioning. Rias would focus on Issei recklessness but it would be mostly directed to Irene. Not that it matters to her.

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Far away in mountain rode a young woman with long grayish-blue hair sporting a sailor uniform and blue mini skirt. A car passed by illuminating her beautiful face with glossy lips yet contain patchwork crossed her body.

[Image here]

"Hey girl need a ride?"

The owner of the car rolled down his window asked the young woman who stared at her smiling sweetly. He was concern for her as most people give her a ride and take advantage. The man was remind of his daughter who was sick waiting for him.

"@%&|;;@!?"

Words incomprehensible that appeared to be gibberish to a mortal minds much to the mans surprised. The young woman frown then touch the mans head then in an instant the mans flesh began to change into grotesque figure making young woman grew a sadistic smiled as the disturbing creature scream in agony.

"@%...It's..-$-#.....Its..hajrd…ah fixnally…yes finally it's been a while a heard a human scream in agony hahaha specially someone who have people dear to them waiting. Now I wonder where is The Fool currently is."

Her voice gibberish gradually change into human words. She was magically while the man who still alive was screaming in agony from the change of his very soul.

"Well, whatever as long I play around that Fool surely come."

She shrugged it off as she entered the car letting her new pet drive her to random places until she could find what she's looking for.