After a few moments when Kuroka had calmed down, Steve and others were looking around.
"Hey Ajuka nii, I'll leave further investigation unto you since you're probably the most knowledgeable devil, but I want to know how they got their hands on Cursed Energy and how they can artificially draw it out from people and implant it," Steve said as everyone except Kuroka were surprised.
"W-what?"
"Yes, most possess more than 12 different energy signatures, so I want to know how a Devil can work with it," Steve told them as they both nodded.
Then, Sirzechs walked to Kuroka.
"Kuroka Toujou san... I know this will not erase your suffering, however, I apologize for all the suffering and torment I've unknowingly caused you. I have failed you as the Satan who was supposed to investigate it," he said bowing as Kuroka teared up once more.
"I-I just want to thank you for saving Shirone... I know she would have been executed if not for you... s-so it's fine..." Kuroka said as Steve's heart melted.
"Steve, I apologize too, for being hostile in your office. Us Satans are indebted to you for helping us maintain peace between factions, since without you the tensions between factions would be extremely high," Ajuka said as Steve shrugged.
"Well, we exchanged money for services, there is no debt. Plus even as a merc, I'm still a pacifist if it makes any sense," he said as Ajuka chuckles.
"Yes, I know you're lazy. Seriously, you're way too influenced by Azazel," he said with a chuckle as Steve deadpanned.
"I don't go around peaking you know, I have two beautiful girlfriends so yeah that's a no-no," he stated as Kuroka looked at him.
"Two?"
"Right, two. My first girlfriend is Artoria, she lives with us. Well, Koneko likes us both and we also like her, so we decided to go with it," he told her as her eyes narrowed.
"Well, if you ever break her heart..."
"I'll rather die than do that. Making beautiful women frown is the last thing I wanna do."
"Even if they're evil strays or something?" asked Sirzechs with a raised eyebrow.
"Beautiful inside and out."
"Ah... anyways, so to announce her status as a free devil, I was thinking of doing it after the Duel," Sirzechs said as Steve put his hand on his chin in a thinking manner.
"Since most of the underworld will be watching it, it makes sense to do it then. Until then, she'll be with me," Steve replied.
"Alright, so if it's done, let's return. As for the payment, Steve it's the usual 1.2 Million USD right?" asked Sirzechs as Steve shrugged.
"Well, pay that to her after you announce her freedom," he said as Kuroka looked at him.
"I mean you're gonna need it, to live a nice life and all," he stated as she felt a pang in her heart.
'I... why does it hurt? I've been alone anyways...'
"Let's go, Kuroka," Steve said holding out his arm for her to grab.
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Artoria was inside the bathroom, when Steve appeared in front of her.
Surprised, she jumped out, before turning to him, only to see him blushing and a girl with Cat-like ears holding onto his arms.
"A-Artoria... I just teleported to y-you, I didn't know y-you were in the bath... c-can you cover it?" he asked, though his eyes wandered around.
"Yeah, and who is she?" she asked while wrapping a towel.
"R-right, let's go in the dining room, I'll explain t-there," he replied, still flustered causing Artoria to grin and Kuroka to smirk.
"I didn't know you made such expressions nya," she teased as Artoria grabbed his hand.
"Can you please go outside? I wanna play with him a little," Artoria said suggestively as Kuroka nodded with a mischievous smirk.
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After a whole lot of teasing and explaining, Steve had finally gotten time to rest as he plopped onto the sofa next to where Gil was reading.
"It's 2 in the morning, what are you reading?" he asked as Gil shrugged.
"The Lost Symbol. Anyways, I know you're thinking something. So tell me, what is it?"
"... Well... you know that the Balance Breaker form needs a sacrifice or a Catalyst right?"
"Yeah, it does. Pervissei won't be able to trigger it without a strong emotion," Gil said as Steve sighed.
"I have an idea, but it's... it's bad. I don't know what to do... do I let him go without the Balance Breaker? I mean he is pretty strong..." Steve muttered as this time Gil sighed.
"If you do have an idea, you should do it. We both know that Riser is one of the strongest people. He needs everything he can get," Gil said as Steve stared at the ceiling.
"But... it's inhuman..."
"...Do what's necessary."
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Issei didn't know how he got here.
The sky was red. The ground was red.
Why was the ground red?
Ah, it was blood.
Whose blood?
His eyes searched until they fell on a corpse.
Asia
She was dead.
And so was Rias.
Akeno
Kiba
Saji
Koneko
They were all dead.
"So, you failed again."
"H-huh?" he spoke, looking around, tears streaming down his eyes.
Behind him stood Steve, with a Katana in his hand, blood dripping off of it.
"W-what did you do?" he asked, scared.
"What else? You see these corpses right?"
"N-no..."
"What no? I was paid, I did it. What are you going to do, fight? Face it, you're not strong enough."
"SHUT UP!"
"Face it."
"SHUT UP YOU BASTARD!"
"Face it."
"I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY FRIEND! MY BROTHER!"
And with that, an armor appeared around Issei as he yelled in anger.
And the next moment, the illusion shattered.
"H-huh?"
"Issei"
He turned once again, to see Steve.
"W-what?"
"It was an illusion I made. I am sorry, it is the only way to truly unlock the Balance Breaker form you're currently in... a strong emotion. I made it to make you feel despair and betrayal..."
"W-why... why you bastard... I g-get it... I need to be strong... but WHY YOU?"
"Because I know you care about me..."
And with that, Issei shot towards him with his fist cocked back, and hit him as hard as he could.
To his surprise, his fist hit Steve and a crack was heard as he was sent flying backward into the wall.
"W-what? I-I thought this wouldn't hit you..." Issei muttered, shocked.
"I switched off the barrier... I deserved it," Steve said with a sad smile as a tear fell from his eyes.
"ARE YOU MAD! OF COURSE, YOU DIDN'T! YOU DID WHAT YOU NEEDED TO YOU ASSHOLE!"
"But I made you cry... I don't want anyone I care about to cry... so I am sorry," he said as Issei hugged him.
"It's fine... this is all for Buchou... I'll do anything to protect her smile..." he said as Steve chuckled and then groaned.
"Fuck, that broke a couple of ribs..." he said as he and Issei got up.
"But don't ever do that again asshole! I never want t-to see them like that..." he muttered as Steve put his hand over his shoulder.
"Don't worry, you're not the only one protecting them. I'll be there too, protecting everyone, including you."