True Magician (FatexDxD)

An unknown place.

A kaleidoscope of different colors and their shades appeared before my eyes again. It was a kaleidoscope of different colors and shades of colors, changing into a peculiar and chaotic cycle that repeated itself over and over again.

Thankfully, this time Zelretch had asked before sending me to the other world. According to him, the place I was going to might turn into a lifeless wasteland. All because 'someone' is unable to keep his hobby under control.

Everything was supposed to be fine, as he says himself, but here's a very unfortunate chain of events that led to just that. The damn vampire didn't give me any details, just told me I'd figure it out quickly.

Oh, yes. The man had argued that my intervention was because I owed him a favor. Of course, I wanted to ask why that had happened, and... it was very simple. My not entirely well-thought-out actions with Death had borne fruit.

As it turned out, after I left, she started looking for me. More specifically, she was pressuring Zelretch to get my not-so-smart head for her. Fortunately, somehow, unbeknownst to me, he'd managed to subdue her urges, from which it followed that I did indeed owe him a debt.

I rubbed my temples as I flew to nowhere.

The next moment, a very cute and anxiety-soaked voice came from the side pocket of my robe.

- Aaaaaaaa~~

- Just glad to have you with me. - Pulling a tired smile on my face, I said and stroked miniature Tia's head with two fingers.

- Aaaaaa~" she sang out and started to caress against my hand with a satisfied smile on her face.

Since I would like to avoid what happened last time, I took her with me. Or rather, a piece of her that had a connection to her original. Wherever I went, her identity would attract too much attention. The Beast class and status of the original goddess is very prominent regardless of the world or its type. But a tiny bit of her, more like a spirit, while it doesn't fundamentally solve the problem, it makes it quite tolerable.

It was created with the help of Tia's aspect and my 3rd magic. You could say that this particle is both her and her child. Well, ours, for that matter. Pretty funny thought, if I do say so myself.

Regarding the mana maintenance of the Servants in my absence. Ophis took care of that, just as she did last time. As soon as I beckoned her to cook Emiya, she would instantly rush over and agree to anything I suggested.

Suddenly a gap opened up in space in front of me, through which I fell through and landed on something hard as a sack of potatoes. Standing up and shaking off, my carcass found itself in a corridor of some sort. Its appearance reminded me of what I'd seen in the Gremory Mansion, but in a more... ancient style. Something between Greece and Rome, to be more precise.

For all of its fifty meters it was empty and I, unable to think of anything else to do, shrugged and decided to just walk forward. Clean walls with rustic ornamentation were occasionally replaced by portraits of strangers, reminiscent of something in medieval.

When I reached the end of the corridor, there were double doors in front of me, and behind them I could hear two voices: male and female, arguing about something. Occasionally another voice joined them, that of a relatively young woman, making comments in a relatively... arrogant tone, I would say.

What was disconcerting was that I could understand what they were saying. I mean, there was no language barrier, which is kind of weird. This isn't your typical isekai, is it? Truth be told, my foot froze without completing a step as I heard something very interesting.

- But brother, we can't go to war with Japan! We'll just be annihilated!

Japan? I beg your pardon?

- The Empire is strong! I am strong! Japan will bow to me when it meets the united army of the Empire, and you can't see that, Pina.

Heh. Why do I immediately see a fight scene between a stick and a bazooka?

- Please listen to me! An Imperial soldier will only die if you do this!

- Your Majesty, I think your plan is indeed correct. These Men in Green will have no choice but to kneel before you.

- What are you talking about?! The Empire will be in ruins in a day!

- You see, Pina, even she understands the outcome of the war. What else would you expect from the daughter of her father's concubine?

- You're crazy!

- You're the one who's crazy, Pina.

Well, why don't I come out? Judging from the conversation, those present in the room are the top authorities in the local 'Empire', which means I'll be able to get information about where I am.

- Aaaaaaa~" Tia asked, peeking out of her pocket.

- We'll see how things work out. Anyway, can you not show your face for now? I'd like to not show you for now.

- Aaaaaa~ - she nodded, to which I petted her once more.

I put on the friendliest smile I was capable of and opened the doors.

Time for a little chat. And hopefully culturally.

-0-

Pina looked at her older brother, but all she saw was a madman. Her hands clenched tightly into fists and the grinding of her teeth echoed loudly in her head.

She couldn't believe that Zorzal had absentmindedly failed to see how the war against Japan would end. Flying chariots and armored elephants would take down the Empire's army and not even notice it. Countless lives would be lost just because her brother decided so.

His ambition to defeat the country from behind the Gate had imprinted itself so strongly into his mind that it completely blocked his sanity.

Pina couldn't believe that this was exactly where the war was headed. She had spent an inordinate amount of blood and sweat to avoid it, but all in vain. Zorzal was determined to start a war and send more souls to Emroi.

She bit her lower lip, which immediately made her taste blood.

Sir Itami had traveled to Rondel with his small group. That meant she wouldn't even have time to warn him or the Japanese command about the approaching storm. Sir Itami's government could easily write my actions off as sabotage or worse. And if that happens, the war will escalate to extermination.

As if that weren't enough, her father is missing, making Zorzal the one in whose hands all power over the Empire rests. Most of the senate follows him and Diabo, another one of her brothers, is doing the same thing he always does - biding his time. Pina though was able to sway some portion of the senators to her side thanks to the feast, but their numbers are still insignificant.

On top of all this, Tyuule, Zorzal's slave girl, is encouraging him to do all sorts of stupid things he's basically capable of. Though no, calling her just a "slave" is no longer acceptable. It's more like a counselor and chaperone.

Pina's brother doesn't listen to the advice of senators, warlords, or any other high ranking people. He does what he thinks, or rather what he thinks is right.

But war must be avoided at all costs, of that Pina had no doubt.

The young princess's brain was working at full speed.

What should she do? The first option would be to try to kick ass. But Zorzal would see that as an act of treason against the Empire. She would simply be declared a traitor and publicly executed. The second and perhaps the only option left would be for her to continue doing what she has been doing. The people of the Empire would take it differently depending on their views, but this way at least they would be alive, at least some of them. That was exactly what Pina thought.

And while she was thinking, the door leading to the inner part of the palace where only members of the ruling family could go opened. At this, all three people present in the room abruptly turned their heads towards the passage.

- Excuse me, may I ask a few simple questions? Once I get the answers to them, I will immediately leave and you will never see me again.''

There stood a man with swarthy skin, snow-white hair tied back in a ponytail, and gold-colored eyes. He was dressed in a white suit, more like what the doctors of Alnus Hill wore. Overall, Pina found him even attractive, but there was one thing that bothered her.

Why was the man dressed in the clothes from behind the Gate coming out of that particular place? How did he get there and why was he entering here as if he had no idea where he was?

Apparently, that was the same question Zorzal was asking, judging by the look in his eyes.

- Who are you?! How did you get in here?! - he shouted loudly - You're a spy for Japan, aren't you? Or an assassin sent to her? Speak, and I will give you a quick death!

The unknown man froze and looked at him.

Pina knew that look. It was as if the man's eyes were asking a mute question if her brother was an idiot. It was so imbued with skepticism and doubt that even the stupidest person in the entire Empire, could understand it. And, of course, she was referring to her brother.

- You dare look down on me, you scum! - Zorzal's shout echoed clearly throughout the room. He drew his sword sharply and pointed it at the man - Your last words, mortal, before you lose your head!

But the unarmed and seemingly harmless man, instead of worrying for his life, simply tilted his head to the side and gave her brother the same look as before, but multiplied by ten.

- I guess they're mass-producing people like you somewhere, huh? Can't you think of something more diverse? - The man asked in a calm and disappointed tone, and then....

Pina felt what she thought was the wrath of the gods themselves, for....

The entire palace, and with it the capital, shook with a force like that time during the 'earthquake'. The sky turned a scarlet color reminiscent of blood, and the light of the sun disappeared for a moment.

Pina, Zorzal, and Tyuule fell to the floor as their legs failed to keep their bodies upright. And only the man with the same still kind smile on his face stood looking at them. But for the three of them, that "kind" smile was like a demon that came from the underworld itself, for only its owner was not in any way affected by what was happening.

Their bodies shook convulsively, their mouths opened wide, and their eyes stayed fixed on the figure of the unknown man, who certainly looked a little displeased.

- I wanted to do better, but I guess I'll have to do the same as always, huh?

-0-

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