Tears ran down Haru's face as Grayfia filled him in on the events following Rias' surrender. A tidal wave of guilt battered his emotions as he listened.
"So you're saying that… Rias did that… because of me?" he said, his voice trembling. Grayfia was nothing if not sympathetic for him. She could understand his guilt, but she wouldn't advise letting it stop him.
"By doing that she saved your life. Riser was intent on killing you, as he was with Ruto. So she effectively saved you both." Grayfia explained. If she was being honest with herself, she was very proud of Rias' sense of duty to her friends. It was a true display of how a King should conduct themselves.
"What about everyone else? Where are they?" Haru asked in concern, the tears drying on his skin.
"Ruto is at his home, and Asia is here as per Rias' orders. Everyone else is in the underworld." Grayfia explained. "Rias ordered Asia to remain here to look after you. After the battle you were hurt pretty badly after Riser tried to kill you. Ruto didn't fare much better himself, if that's any consolation."
"So why are the others in the underworld?"
"Lady Rias wanted them with her for what comes next. The engagement party will be commencing soon, so Lady Rias wanted some familiar faces present."
Haru's eyes widened in horror at the realisation that time was not on his side. "Dammit..." his tears of guilt turned to ones of frustration. "I'm sorry Rias. If only I was stronger you wouldn't have to be going through this." he sat on his bed in utter self loathing.
"I'm a pathetic servant. Strongest Pawn? What the hell was I thinking? She deserves so much better than me." he continuously berated himself, condemning his own weakness and failure. Grayfia didn't like seeing someone with his kind of power and potential in this state, especially when they went to such great lengths to help her sister-in-law.
"Haru, listen." she said softly. "What happened wasn't your fault. She is abiding by the customs of Devil society that all noble Devils must, as well as the decisions of the House of Gremory. It is simply how it has always been. The outcome of the battle was the most likely one."
"Even so, it's not right that Rias has to suffer like this, not when I can do something about it. It's sickening." Haru replied defiantly. "I'm not gonna let that bastard have her. To hell with that."
Grayfia chuckled, quite impressed with Haru's spirit. "You are quite fascinating, Haru."
"Huh?"
"You're an open book, always with your heart on your sleeve. You're gentle, never meaning any harm. Over the years, I've met a lot of Devils, but you're very different from them. Once you put your mind to something, nothing will slow you down." She reached into a pocket on her maid uniform.
"And I'm not alone in that line of thought." she presented a small piece of paper with a Gremory teleportation circle on it. "Sirzechs feels the exact same way."
Haru looked curiously at the paper. "What's that?"
"It's a magic circle that will transport you to the engagement party." she said. A confused look appeared on Haru's face.
"So, what? You want me to go and stop the engagement?" he took the slip of paper and examined it carefully.
"Sirzechs sent me here with an important message. And that was 'If you intend to get my sister back, then you must be prepared to fight'."
Haru remained silent for several moments as he gazed at the paper. "Remember his warning Haru. If you intend to stage a rescue attempt, it will be your only chance. And I believe someone else shares your sentiment Haru."
Silver light engulfed half of Haru's room as Grayfia swiftly exited through her own magic circle. Once again, Haru was alone, now with renewed determination to get back Rias and utterly crush Riser. He stood and lowered the paper in his hand.
"There's only one thing for it then." he said resolutely.
"So...?" Azazel questioned with a smug grin. Ruto gave the Fallen Angel a dry look.
"Don't 'So?' me. I'm still pissed it took this long. And you know what's the kicker? I can't even see the fucking thing!" Ruto raged. Codex Machina was actually a conceptual Sacred Gear. It was a Gear that existed as an idea, but had no physical form. In other words, through some complicated shit that Azazel spent a lot of time on, he managed to pull it into existence, contain it within himself, and them pass it on to Ruto through a ritual of pure contrivance.
Honestly, Ruto was feeling pretty good despite his bad mood. His mana flow felt more stable, his body felt stronger and healthier, and his mind was clearer. It seemed Codex Machina was pretty accurate from what Azazel had described, but now the only thing that remained to be seen was it's regenerative properties and its performance at replenishing mana.
"Anyways, I imagine you're feeling a little different. Invigorated maybe?" Azazel asked. Ruto nodded.
"Yup, I definitely feel ready to deal some serious damage. You said something about the excess mana being used to amplify any spells I used?" Ruto questioned.
"Absolutely. It stops any damage to your body occurring, especially given your particular… talents, for certain types of magic. So what better than to take it and make your spells stronger? Either way you'll find it'll help a lot." Azazel said confidently. His back straightened a bit as he sensed something.
"Huh, seems someone's teleporting in." he was correct as Grayfia's magic magic circle appeared in a bright flash of silver.
She stepped out of the light and the circle faded. "Good evening Ruto." she said with a smile, to which she got a smile and nod in return. She looked at Azazel impassively. "Azazel." The Fallen Angel sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Still as cold as ever Grayfia." he said with a tut.
"How goes your preparations?" she asked Ruto. The golden haired magician raised an eyebrow at her.
"And just what makes you think I'm going anywhere Grayfia?" he question with a smirk. "For all you know I could just be having Azazel over for a nice chat." Grayfia chuckled lightly.
"And that's where your question falls apart. I know you don't just have people over. Especially Azazel." she said matter-of-factly.
"Hey!" Azazel whined.
"Yup, true enough. Having him here all the time would just leave my house smelling like dust and booze." he replied with an evil grin.
"Ruto! That's rude dammit! After all I've done for you!" he cried with mock hurt.
"You mean everything you do when you feel like it. I swear, I wouldn't have gotten this new Gear unless I reminded you." Ruto said scathingly. Azazel was suddenly sat in the corner of the room with a cloud of gloom above him.
"No one appreciates me anymore." he mumbled, however Ruto heard him.
"Well, you don't exactly make it easy." he said deadpan. He looked away from the miserable Azazel and back to Grayfia.
"So, you spoke with Haru yet?"
"Yes. He was feeling guilty about Rias' surrender, thinking it was his fault. I consoled him as best I could. It seemed to have worked." Ruto nodded silently, but had an odd look on his face.
"Nah, it was my fault. We would have had a better chance if I'd managed my power better and not tried using the Brahmastra. I messed up quite a few things." Ruto admitted.
"Ah yes, the gift Lord Brahma gave you. You were always awfully fond of it." She said with an amused smile.
"Well why wouldn't I be? I've got access to one of the most powerful weapons ever created. All from a game of chess too." he grinned. He suddenly adopted a more serious expression.
"So I understand that Rias had pretty much her entire Peerage go to the underworld for the engagement party. Forgive me for not understanding, but it sounds like she's abandoned all hope." he said sharply.
Grayfia met him with a firm gaze. "While it would appear that way, I believe she has some belief that Haru will come for her."
"What do I just not exist now? Hmph, rude." he said jokingly.
"Well given past actions she still maintains the belief that you don't really think much of her or her Peerage." Grayfia almost grimaced at the legitimately fuming scowl that appeared on Ruto's face.
"Oh really. After helping them out, getting my ass beat for them and helping with their training? We're gonna have words after Haru and I bail her ass out." he said icily.
"While I understand your offence, your own past deeds have also coloured you in a poor light." she said calmly.
"How so?" Ruto asked, expecting the usual answer.
"Well, as well as trampling on her leadership, you've attacked and thrashed her peerage, disrespected her and mocked her decisions." she explained, opting not to go into too much detail.
"And? All of that was to make a statement and set examples. I meant no harm in my actions and I will certainly not apologise." he replied stubbornly.
Grayfia sighed. "It's not only that Ruto." she said sadly giving a long pause.
"Well what is it?" he asked impatiently.
"She's convinced you hate her. She also thinks you're only helping her as a means to an end." she said. "It really saddens me that she thinks that of you Ruto, when I know you would never do something like that without a good reason."
Ruto on his part was stunned. Hate her? No. He didn't hate her. He was critical of her, that much he knew but hate her?
"She's got the wrong idea. I don't hate her at all, in fact on a personal level I quite like her. She's strong, kind and accepting of others. What's not to like? But what I do hate is her softness towards her Peerage, and that's what I've been trying to get through to her. She needs to be a leader, not a mother." Ruto explained as best he could, hoping not to tick off Grayfia.
"But I gotta say I was impressed by her performance in the Rating Game. She managed to coordinate us so well that we nearly beat Riser, who we both know is a much more experienced player and fighter overall." Ruto said, slightly proud of her when he thought about it.
"And the whole helping her for my own ends thing… well I kinda am." he admitted, however quite fearfully. He nearly flinched when he saw Grayfia raise an eyebrow at him.
"Oh?" was all she said. In Ruto's mind, that was all that needed to be said anyway.
"I'm helping her to make sure Haru survives and reaches his potential." he fidgeted a little. "It started out as purely in my own interest, but I guess Rias and her ragtag group of misfits started to grow on me."
"So your reasons for helping now extend beyond having a fight to the death with Haru?" Ruto's gaze became stoic.
"I still intend to fight him to the death, but I guess doing this means I've accepted the pain that will come with it." he said with a sigh and a sad smile. He then looked at the clock, seeing it was just turning 7pm.
Crap, underworld time is different to Earth time. It's around midnight there if I remember the difference in hours right. he thought in alarm.
"Well Grayfia, I say it's time we get moving." he said as he activated Divine Dividing. The flawless white, gold and blue Scale Mail encased his body in a flash of white light. "Planning on wearing anything fancy? I bet you'd look quite beautiful in an evening gown, yes indeed." he said with a perverse smirk.
Grayfia just laughed softly. "You're a terrible flirt Ruto. If you behave I might just surprise you." she said in good humour.
"Oh now you're just teasing me Grayfia. That's hardly fair. Now I'll have to actually consider behaving like a good little boy." he joked in return. Ruto used a slip of paper similar to the one Grayfia had given Haru and channelled his magic into it, activating the teleportation circle. Before he stepped into it, he felt a slight tugging on his left hand. He glanced down and saw Ophis looking up at him.
"Be careful. And come back safe." she said in her usual monotone, but despite that, he recognised the sincerity behind the simple gesture. He removed his helmet and smiled down at her. He placed his hand on her small shoulder.
"I promise. And when I get back, I'm ordering out. Whatever you want." he said warmly. Ophis nodded, something akin to happiness crossing her face. Just then Ruto felt a pair of arms slink around his neck, and a lot of azure hair on the right side of his face.
"Any sweet parting words for me?" Tiamat asked in a sugar sweet tone. Ruto just looked her with the flattest look possible.
"No." He said bluntly.
"Uh, rude! Any reason in particular." she said as her left eyebrow twitched in annoyance.
"No." he repeated. He shrugged her off and walked into the circle, disappearing as he placed his head back on his head.