Chapter 24
Upon noticing the Trio bowing their heads, Oreki couldn't help but feel a bit perplexed. He hadn't expected such a gesture directed towards him, especially considering their previous interactions. With a furrowed brow, he questioned their actions, breaking the silence with his inquiry.
"Why are you guys lowering your heads?" Oreki's voice cut through the silence, prompting the Trio to startle at the unexpected query. As they looked up to meet Oreki's gaze, their confusion was palpable.
Oreki's eyes swept the surroundings, and it was then that he caught sight of the Great Red hovering. The pieces fell into place, and Oreki realized the reason for the Trio's deference. It wasn't directed at him, but at the imposing dragon behind him.
A sense of relief washed over Oreki as he made this realization.
"Ah the Great Red, The Dragon of Dragons, The Guardian of the Dimensional Gap, it's good to meet you oh great one " As Oreki addressed the Great Red with a playful tone not before removing the sound proofing effect in the barrier, the dragon regarded him with a mix of curiosity and amusement.
"Indeed, I am the Great Red" the dragon responded, his deep voice resonating within the dimensional gap. "It is rare to encounter human and devils in this chaotic place."
Oreki smiled, appreciating the dragon's acknowledgment. "And it's a pleasure to meet you, Great Red," he replied with genuine warmth. "I must say, you're quite the sight to behold and quite big in close proximity."
The Trio observed Oreki's interaction with the Great Red with a mixture of awe and curiosity. His ease and confidence in the presence of the powerful dragon impressed them deeply. Sirzechs, Grayfia, and Serafall exchanged glances, silently acknowledging Oreki's remarkable demeanor.
The Great Red inclined his massive head in acknowledgement, a flicker of pride evident in his eyes. Despite his imposing presence, there was a sense of camaraderie between them, born out of mutual respect.
"Tell me, young one" the Great Red rumbled, "what brings you to the dimensional gap?" curious as why they are here."
"Oh that! I'm here to fight these devils behind as test to my abilities and you are welcome to watch Great Red" Oreki answer in nonchalant manner, Oreki added a bit " Or are not allowed to this place Great Red"
Oreki's response surprised the Trio even further. They exchanged concerned glances, realizing that Oreki was intent on fighting them in battle. Just for what? training!
Oreki's playful behavior seemed to please the Great Red, who chuckled with amusement at the prospect of witnessing the upcoming entertainment. The dragon's laughter echoed through the dimensional gap, reverberating around them. "Of course you allowed and it will be change of pace for me to watch you fight for my own amusement instead just patrolling this vast space"
Oreki grinned confidently at the Great Red's response, his playful demeanor unchanged. "Glad to provide some entertainment, Great Red. Let's make it a spectacle worth watching" he remarked with a smirk, his eyes gleaming with excitement at the prospect of testing his abilities to some powerful devils.
The Trio who watching the exchange do not like where is going, Serafall who can't stay quite anymore ask the other 2 in whisper " Are we really going to fight him?" Serafall's whispered question brought a moment of contemplation to the trio. Sirzechs, Grayfia, and Serafall exchanged concerned glances, their expressions reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Sirzechs, the composed leader, responded first, his voice barely audible above the lingering echoes of the Great Red's laughter. "No we won't fight " he said firmly, his gaze shifting between Serafall and Grayfia.
"But Sirzechs, I don't think the Great Red will take no for an answer" Grayfia interjected, her usually composed demeanor showing a hint of concern. "He already decided that the fight is going to be his entertainment."
Sirzechs look at the Great Red and Oreki having a conversation and walk towards them or towards Great Red " Great Red please do not consider Oreki-san proposal. If training his abilities is his goal then we can do this without bloodshed."
"Are denying me of my entertainment" The Great Red growl seemingly in anger as the prospect of watching a spectacle being postpone or outright deny.
Meanwhile, Oreki's smirk remained, his words laced with a mischievous undertone. "We are not going to kill each other, Sirzechs. We are just going to hurt each other," Oreki remarked, his tone teasing. "Well, if you can hurt me at least." Oreki wink at Sirzechs, Oreki already use a wish of giving him the same physic and ability as Adam from Shuumatsu no Valkyrie Record of ragnarok.
Sirzechs look at Oreki and say "Is there anything I can do to stop us fighting each other for the Great Red amusement and for your practice" Sirzech trying to convince to stop this madness.
Oreki reply in playful manner " Sirzechs do you want me to against the Great Red wishes? I don't think I change his mind now and as for the testing my abilities against you guy, this is just that result of trying to please the Great Red" Although Oreki thought he can just fight the Great Red and beat him but who cares fighting this Trio is gonna be much more satisfying.
Sirzechs looked at Oreki with a mix of disbelief and concern. "But you were the one who told the Great Red that you wanted to practice your abilities, and that he could watch," he reminded, puzzled by Oreki's sudden change in stance.
Oreki chuckled softly, his demeanor nonchalant. "Oh, did I? Must have slipped my mind" he replied casually, as if the matter was of little consequence. Oreki then added wih a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, no harm done, right?" His playful tone did little to reassure Sirzechs, who couldn't shake off the feeling of unease about the situation. The same with the other two who are listening and watching the discussion of Oreki and Sirzechs.
Noticing their distress and uncomfortable expressions, Oreki's smirk deepened. "Well, well, well... Did you all suddenly remember something you've conveniently forgotten?" he taunted, his tone dripping with amusement.
Sirzechs narrowed his eyes at Oreki, his voice sharp and threatening. "What did you do to them?" he demanded, his words laced with barely contained anger.
"I didn't touch on them" Oreki shrugged dismissively, his gaze flickering with a mischievous glint. "But my pets, on the other hand," he continued, a smirk curling at the corner of his lips as he made a playful gesture with air quotes, "well, they orchestrated a little... let's call it a trolling And now, as a result, they're currently unconscious."
Sirzechs's expression darkened as he regarded Oreki with a mixture of suspicion and concern. "Unconscious? What kind of 'trolling' did your pets pull?" he demanded, his voice tinged with warning.
Oreki's smirk widened, the amusement dancing in his eyes unabashed. "Oh, nothing that is too much, I assure you that" he replied, his tone almost teasing. "Just a gentle tap here and there with little bit of kick in the face. I don't know why Tom like doing round house kick but if he's happy , I'm happy. But don't worry they'll wake up eventually, none the worse for wear."
The trio, their anger evident, was about to demand answers once more, but Oreki interjected with a more vicious grin spreading across his face.
"But your sisters, Sona and Rias, on the other hand... I just couldn't resist," Oreki said, his tone laced with amusement.
"What happened to So-tan?" Serafall shouted, her voice tinged with concern, while Grayfia placed a comforting hand on Serafall's shoulder.
Instead of offering a direct response, Oreki simply made a slit throat gesture, his expression darkening with a hint of satisfaction.
Serafall was about to make a move, but Sirzechs's commanding voice stopped her in her tracks. "Do not move, Serafall" he ordered firmly.
Serafall was poised to react, but Sirzechs's commanding voice stopped her in her tracks. "Do not move, Serafall," he ordered firmly.
"Why not? He admitted to killing So-tan and Rias himself!" Serafall shouted in a mixture of anger and disbelief.
Grayfia stepped in, offering an explanation for Sirzechs's instruction. "He's trying to provoke us, to goad us into a serious confrontation," she explained calmly. "It's just for his own amusement."
Hearing Grayfia's words, Serafall's anger began to ebb slightly as she looked to Sirzechs for confirmation.
Sirzechs met her gaze with a reassuring nod. "That's right, Serafall. Don't give in to his provocations" he affirmed, his voice steady. Addressing Oreki, he added with a pointed stare, "We won't indulge you in your little mischief."
"Oh really! not even with this," Oreki smirked wickedly as he reached into his pocket dimension and withdrew the severed heads of the sisters.