Chapter 20: Ghosts, Gauntlets, and Gremory's Wrath
The air in the abandoned warehouse felt like lead. As we moved through the shadows, Kiba's mind was clearly miles away, trapped in the memory of cold laboratories and the fading heartbeats of his friends. He saw them in his mind—the children who didn't make it, their lives traded for the shards of steel now threatening our city.
Kiba: (Whispering) "I can still hear them... their voices in the dark."
Motohama: "Then use that noise to find the man responsible, Kiba. Don't let their sacrifice end in a warehouse basement."
We reached the inner sanctum. Xenovia stopped us, her eyes narrowing as she sensed a massive pressure from above.
Xenovia: "Be on guard, Issei. The Vanishing Dragon is near. The White Dragon Emperor, the possessor of the Divine Dividing, has entered this theater."
Issei: "White Dragon Emperor? You mean there's another guy with a lizard in his arm like me?!"
Motohama: "Not just 'another guy,' Issei. He's the other half of your destiny. But let's worry about the freak in the priest robes first."
The Siege of the Tower
We burst into the center of the facility. Valper Galilei stood there, surrounded by a forest of synthetic Excaliburs, with Freed Sellzen laughing like a manic clown beside him.
Freed: "Aha! The Devil brat returns with more friends! Is this a party? Did you bring snacks?"
Kiba: "Valper... you're the one who started it all!"
Kiba lunged, his speed reaching a level that blurred the air. Xenovia and Irina moved in parallel, chasing Freed toward the upper gantries just as they had practiced.
Motohama: [Internal] Crom, lend me a hand. I need to end this fast.
Crom Cruach: "And the sacrifice? The Red Dragon gives up his vitality. What are you giving me, Motohamaru? Your dignity?"
Motohama: 'Then forget it! I'll do it myself.'
I manifested my wings, the black feathers shimmering with a faint demonic aura. I conjured a series of high-density magic circles, firing offensive bolts to cover Kiba's advance. But Valper wasn't alone; his mechanical defenses were brutal. A shockwave caught me mid-air, slamming me into a concrete pillar.
Motohama: (Coughing) "Damn it... without the dragon's boost, I'm just a glorified battery."
Freed: "Oh, look at the smart one! He thinks he's a hero!"
Freed taunted Kiba, mocking the "trash" from the experiments, before using a flash-bang to escape into the night. We tried to give chase, but the air suddenly turned cold. A very familiar, very terrifying pressure filled the room.
The Executioners Arrive
The doors at the back of the garage creaked open. Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri stepped out of the shadows, their eyes glowing with a quiet, lethal intensity. Behind them, Akeno and Tsubaki stood like grim reapers.
Saji, Issei, and I stood there, sweating bullets.
Sona: [Her voice like ice] "Saji. I am very disappointed. I expected great things, but it seems you've forgotten who your King is."
Saji: [Falling to his knees, sobbing] "President! Please! I was blackmailed! Koneko-chan has recordings! My life is over anyway!"
Akeno: [Walking toward me, her finger tracing a line on her chin] "Ara, ara~ Motohamaru-kun. Not following instructions? You've been a very, very naughty Pawn. You're going to need a very... special... punishment."
I looked at Rias. For a split second, her eyes softened with relief that I wasn't dead, but it was quickly replaced by a furious scowl.
Rias: "Why, Motohamaru? Why go behind my back?"
Koneko: [Stepping forward, standing her ground] "Because we wanted Kiba back. We don't want him to be alone. He's our friend."
Motohama: [Staring at the wall, refusing to make eye contact] "She's right. If being a 'good Pawn' means letting my friend walk into a meat grinder, I'll take the punishment instead."
Rias marched up to me, her face inches from mine. I could feel the heat of her anger and the scent of her perfume.
Rias: "You think you're so smart. You think you can handle everything alone."
She suddenly reached out and pinched both of my cheeks, pulling them hard.
Rias: "I am the King! You do not get to decide when to be a hero without me! When we get back to the club, you, Issei, and Saji are going to wish you were still fighting Freed!"
Issei: "Wait, why am I included?! I just followed Motohama!"
Motohama: [Muffled, while Rias pulled his face] "The floor... the wall... everything is very interesting right now..."
Crom Cruach: "I told you, boy. A woman's ego is the most dangerous weapon in the world. Enjoy your 'special' punishment."
This chapter captures the chaotic shift from the terror of the battlefield to the "domestic" terror of the Gremory-Sitri wrath. It balances the physical comedy of the punishments with the intimate payoff between Motohama and Rias.
The atmosphere in the garage was suffocating. Motohamaru looked at the ceiling, realizing that the "heroic" escape from Freed was nothing compared to the storm currently brewing in Rias's eyes. As Sona Sitri began a rhythmic, magical spanking session on Saji—who was screaming "100 times?!" into the concrete—Motohama decided it was time for tactical deflection.
Motohama: [Turning to Issei with a look of pure betrayal] "Issei... how could you? You were the one who gathered us. You were the one who practically dragged poor Saji into this mess to save Kiba. And now you're just letting me take the heat?"
Issei: "Wait! Me?! Motohama, you were the strategist! You gave the signal!"
Koneko: [Nodding solemnly] "Issei-senpai was very persuasive. We did it for Kiba-senpai."
Rias's gaze shifted to Issei, who began to sweat profusely. Motohama, sensing an opening, took off his dark-tinted glasses. He looked at Rias with the most pitiful, "kicked-puppy" expression he could muster, his eyes softened by the lack of frames.
Crom Cruach: [Inside Motohama's head] "Throwing away your dignity along with your eyewear? You are a master of survival, boy. It's pathetic, yet impressive."
The sight worked. Rias and even Akeno felt their hearts soften for a microsecond. Rias let out a long sigh and suddenly pulled Motohama, Issei, and Koneko into a tight, crushing hug.
Rias: "I am furious... but I am so happy you are all okay."
Saji: [From the floor, voice cracking] "Why?! Why do they get a hug while I'm being dismantled by my President?! Life is unfair!"
Rias: [Releasing them, her eyes turning demonic again] "Don't get comfortable. Everyone gets punished. Issei, Motohama... bend over."
Issei: [Stepping forward heroically] "President! Take my punishment, but let Koneko go! I'll take hers too!"
Koneko: [Instantly standing up and walking away] "Thank you, Issei-senpai. Good luck."
The sounds of Issei being beaten to a pulp echoed through the garage, much to Saji's delight. Then, Rias turned to Motohamaru.
Rias: [Cooing dangerously] "So, Motohama... are you ready? Or do you have more 'refined' excuses?"
Motohama: "President, please! Have mercy on my handsome face! I just got a glow-up! Why is Koneko getting off scot-free?"
Rias: "Issei took her share. Unless you can convince Issei to take yours too?"
Motohama: "Issei! Brother! One more for the team?"
Issei: [Face-down on the floor] "I... I can see... the pearly gates... you're on your own..."
The Pouting Pawn
An hour later, Motohamaru was limping toward his front door, leaning heavily on Rias's shoulder. His back was stinging, and his pride was in tatters. Once they were inside and the door was locked, the "Refined Strategist" mask completely shattered.
Motohama: [Pouting like a five-year-old] "I'm angry. I'm officially on strike. I'm not talking to you for at least a week."
Rias: [Gently guiding him to the sofa] "It was your mistake for not following orders, Motohama. I have to be fair in my discipline."
Motohama: "Fair? You hit me like I was a piñata! And Issei was the one who pulled me into it! Now look at me... I'm a broken man."
I saw my opening. I let out a dramatic sigh of "pain" and collapsed sideways, laying my head directly into Rias's lap. I buried my face against her stomach, letting out a muffled groan.
Motohama: "You have to take responsibility now. You've publicly humiliated me in front of Sona. My reputation is ruined. Who is ever going to marry me now?"
Rias: [Blushing a deep crimson, her hands hovering over his hair] "W-Who is going to marry you? What are you talking about? Only Sona and Akeno were there!"
Motohama: "That's three people too many! I'm damaged goods, Rias. You've essentially branded me. You're going to have to be the one to take me in."
Rias: [Softening, her fingers finally settling into his hair, stroking it gently] "You... you're just guilt-tripping me because you know I feel bad, aren't you?"
Motohama: [Muffled] "Is it working?"
Rias: [With a small, tender smile] "Yes. It's working. Rest for now, you troublesome Pawn. I'll take care of you... just this once."
Crom Cruach: "You are a terrifying human. You turned a beating into a lap-pillow. I almost feel sorry for the Gremory girl."