DxD: Path of the Gremory Prince

Many, many years ago, the four Devil Kings, desiring world domination, led the devils against the God of the Bible, the Angels of Heaven, and the Fallen Angels in a Great War.

These Kings died during the Great War, as did most of the 72 pillars of the underworld and their armies of devils.

After their death, a group of their descendants sought to carry on their legacy and continue the Great War. They wanted to complete their clan's goal and conquer world domination.

However, their intentions were thwarted by a faction of devils known as the Anti-Satan Faction, who sought to ensure the survival of the devils as a species. 

This dispute of ideas led to a civil war between the devils, resulting in the defeat of the descendants of the Original Satans. 

After their defeat, the surnames of the descendants became titles for the new rulers of the underworld. Meanwhile, the Original Satan Kings, those who died during the Great War, became known as the Old Satans.

The positions of Satan, the leaders of the underworld, were divided: Sirzechs Lucifer, from Clan Gremory; Serafall Leviathan, from Clan Sitri; Ajuka Beelzebub, from Clan Astaroth; and Falbium Asmodeus, from Clan Glasya-Labolas.

These four devils were born with powers equivalent to, and in some respects even greater than, the Old Satans. That's why they were chosen to command the underworld.

I, Milicas Gremory, was the direct son of a Satan, Sirzechs Lucifer, but that didn't make me heir to his position as Lucifer.

Being a Satan wasn't a position that could be inherited, like a title or a noble house, but one earned through great deeds, conquests, and influence in the underworld, as well as among other factions. 

To achieve this, there were two paths for me. The first was to wait for a throne to be vacated and prove myself worthy; the second was to provide reasons for a fifth throne to be created for me. 

Considering that devils don't die of old age unless they live for many thousands of years, the Milicas of the original story, even though he was powerful as an adult, would likely never become a Satan. So, if I wanted to achieve my goal, I couldn't just sit back and wait. I needed to create my influence.

"Let's see how my relationship is with the other devils."

[Grayfia Lucifuge - 2 Hearts (0/50).]

[Sirzechs Lucifer - 1 Heart (0/25).]

[Rias Gremory - 1 Heart (1/25).]

[Akeno Himejima - 0 Heart.]

[Koneko Toujou - 0 Heart.]

[Yuuto Kiba - 0 Heart.]

[Sona Sitri - 0 Heart.]

[Makima - 0 Heart (5/15).]

A drop of sweat dripped from my forehead. My relationships, even the most basic ones, were restricted to the small circle of my clan and the companions that Rias Gremory sometimes brought to our mansion.

'Hmm... looks like the memories of me being home-schooled for the last 17 years aren't wrong,' I thought, scratching my chin.

If I wanted to be more than just the son of a Satan, I would need to form alliances with powerful devils and, above all, strengthen myself with great servants. The first servant I already had — Makima.

'Next step... Head outside and try to attract the attention of those Patrons, enough to earn their support.' 

'If my memories are correct, I remember overhearing my mother talking with Rias about a boy who owned a Sacred Gear called Boosted Gear. That means Issei is out of the picture. So, are there any other potential members I can recruit from the main group?' 

As I thought about this, a smile appeared on my face. Yes, there were certainly several people in mind. Specifically, three.

Suddenly, I heard a grumble. Looking over, I saw Makima getting up, still slightly groggy. 

Immediately, I knew I was right not to leave the apartment, because Makima had assimilated the Queen's play much faster than I could have imagined.

Despite this, Makima was rubbing her temples and had a slightly uncomfortable expression.

"How are you feeling?" I asked.

"My head feels like a train has crushed it... But I'm conscious. Does that mean it worked?"

"If you're not screaming in pain, your assimilation was a success." I crossed my arms. "However, you still need to rest. We'll be starting your magic training soon, and you need to be fully recovered."

Makima stared at me for a few seconds, probably wondering if I was serious about magic.

"We can..." she said, trying to get up, but her body was so weak that she almost fell over.

"Ouch!"

I grabbed her by the shoulders. "Don't push yourself. It'll take time to adjust. Your power is probably unstable right now." 

"That's not a problem for me."

'Of course it wouldn't be. You weren't human,' I thought but only said, "Please, Makima-san, concentrate on resting. Go to my room — it'll be more comfortable than the sofa."

"What about you? Where are you going?"

"I need to check a few things. Don't worry; I don't intend to fight without you."

For the first time, Makima showed what looked like a smile and nodded.

[Makima liked what you said.]

[You have received +1 Relationship Point with Makima.]

She then got up from the sofa and, before she could fall, I kept her upright and helped her to my room.

I had an extra room, but it didn't have any furniture yet, so my room would have to suffice for the night.

-:- 

Kuoh City was relatively quiet, and the residential area where my apartment was located was silent at night. In the apartments and houses, there were few lights on, and hardly anyone was walking around.

The impulse to go to the Kuoh Academy was strong, but I shook my head and dismissed the idea.

'I already have class tomorrow. There's no point in going there now.'

My real goal was something else: a church far from the city. 

At the beginning of the anime, Rias had warned Issei never to go near a church because light stakes could suddenly appear over his head. But I knew that, at this moment, the only church in Kuoh lacked any relevant angelic presence.

The only danger in that church were the Fallen Angels, and they weren't much of a problem. 

I walked through the streets of Kuoh leisurely, paying attention to the characteristics of this world. I had spent years inside the Gremory mansion, so the feeling of freedom at being able to walk alone was very good.

When I got close enough to the church to see it, I felt a slight headache, and my legs stopped me. This was a sign that the place still had traces of sacred energy. However, it wasn't intense enough to affect me. So I put my hands in my pockets and kept walking.

The church was on a small mountain, in the middle of a forest, and I had to climb a long flight of stairs to reach it. When I finally arrived, I saw the building illuminated by the pale light of the moon and several broken stained-glass windows that had undoubtedly once displayed vibrant images of saints and angels.

This church was abandoned a long time ago. Despite this, there were enough remnants of sacred energy to cause me discomfort—like a persistent itch in the back of my mind. Normally, I shouldn't be able to enter this place, but like everything that touches man, this church had become corrupted.

Also, there was no sound. No owls, no rustling of leaves, nothing but the discreet sound of my shoes on the dry earth.

This only confirmed what I already suspected: this place was not empty.

[Main Scene Started!]

[4 Patrons are now watching this scene.]

[Your actions could earn you prizes from the Patrons at the end of the scene.]

'As I imagined... I just need to get close to something important for a scene to start automatically. So, let's see who's home so we can have some fun.'

With my hands still in my pockets, I took a few more steps forward, put a hand on the door, and with a gentle push, it creaked loudly and revealed the inside of the church.

Inside the church, there were dozens of wooden benches for devotees to sit or kneel to pray.

Speaking of which, up ahead, at the altar of the church, there was a figure kneeling with his hands together, apparently praying. It was a man with white hair. Even with his back turned, and unable to see his eyes, I could feel the bloodlust coming from him.

'Freed Sellzen. What a pleasure to see you're still here.'

I think my plan is more than obvious by now, but I'll explain. In need of parts, I intended to save Asia Argento, take her for myself and make her my Healer, and, if possible, I wanted to do it without causing too much friction. However, the last part of this plan would not be possible.

Freed stood up, turned around and then feigned surprise when he saw me standing in the church's doorway.

"Good evening, sir. I am the priest of this church. Have you come to pray or to confess?"

[5 Patrons are now watching this scene.]

I took a step forward, then another, and started walking towards the altar.

"Confession? No... I'm not like the men who repent of their sins after giving in to their desires. I'm simpler." I continued walking while Freed looked at me. "And you? Why are you praying to a being you know is dead?"

"I don't understand what you're talking about, young man. God is not dead. Who has been preaching such nonsense? Understand that the word of God..." 

"The word of... Argh, I can't even think of this name without feeling a little uncomfortable? Anyway, do you really want to mention it now?" I interrupted him and took a deep breath. "If that's the case, know that, according to the Apostle Paul, 'Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak truth to each one with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.' How curious, isn't it, Father? You dress like a servant of God... Arh... and pretend to be a blessed man, but you don't follow what you preach. What I see before me is a man who uses his faith in the sacred as a façade and, deep down, feeds on the very lies he tells himself. I'm not surprised you chose this place to hide your true nature."

Finally, I arrived in front of the altar and looked Freed straight in the eye. His face darkened as if the moonlight had disappeared.

"Well, what makes a man like you, an immortal devil, question the faith of mortals?" he asked, still serious.

"Don't judge me by my lineage or my race. Judge me by my actions and what I'm doing."

"And what are you looking for here, devil?"

"I've come for Asia Argento."

Freed let out a low chuckle, which turned into a laugh dulled with disdain.

"Asia Argento?! HAHAHA! It seems everyone suddenly knows about the holy whore! I'll give you some advice, kid, get in line!"

Just then, the sound of footsteps came from behind me. When I looked over my shoulder at the church door I had just entered, I saw Issei Hyoudou leaning on the doorframe and taking a deep breath.

Issei was a boy of medium height with brown hair. He was panting, with a confused look on his face and his forehead covered in sweat.

"What...? Was the door... open? It doesn't matter, okay, but... what's going on here?" Issei stammered to himself as he looked at me and Freed.

He looked lost, but when his eyes locked on Freed, he straightened his posture, pointed at the priest and, with a trembling finger, exclaimed:

"You! Or you two... Whatever! I don't know what's going on here, but tell me where Asia is now!"

'What the hell... Looks like I'm earlier than I thought. Or late...? Come to think of it, Rias said earlier that he had something urgent to deal with,' I thought and massaged my temples, already getting a headache from meeting the protagonist so quickly.

At least that had a beneficial effect on something else.

[8 Patrons are now watching this scene.]

[11 Patrons are now watching this scene.]

[15 Patrons are now watching this scene.]