"Sofya, for now, I need you to stay in my shadow. My second Seraphina is in there; she will be your partner...you two must become well acquainted and learn to fight as one," Vesper spoke.
"Fighting...I was never one for violence," Sofya said nervously, hoping not to offend Vesper.
"That's fine, I hope there won't be much fighting. But even when it's done, it shall be carried out by those willing. I won't force anyone into combat. But there will be a case that forces our hands," Vesper replied, placing a hand on Sofya's head.
"Oh, that's good...Then I will do my best," Sofya replied with a determined tone as she faded into Vesper's shadow.
With a second apostle, Vesper created a cluster of spears made of sun flame and darkness and began to control them, getting used to fighting them from a distance and in close range.
As time passed and the train got closer to the underworld, Vesper was able to confidently fight with three spears at the same time for more than an hour.
Dispersing his spear and wiping the sweat from his head, Vesper sat on the floor and collected divine energy.
[Mast has absorbed demonic energy]
[Master Sun flame has purified the demonic energy]
[+3000 Divine energy]
"Wait, so I can absorb demonic energy...maybe this is why Rias and the others seemed so weak when I was training in class...I should be careful not to harm anyone else while I'm here," Vesper thought aloud as he saw the notification.
Continuing to absorb demonic energy, this time paying attention to his surroundings, Vesper found his reserves increased dramatically. Much faster than he was recharging on Earth.
After another hour of purply absorbing divine energy, Vesper heard a knock on the door to the car.
As it opened, he saw Koneko, the more silent member of the group with a significant sweet tooth, standing in the doorway.
"We are almost here, Rias asked for you to come back," Koneko said as she had a lollipop in her mouth.
"Okay, I will be there in one moment," Vesper replied as he stood up.
Once Koneko left, Vesper opened his system and looked at how much divine energy he had accumulated.
[Divine Energy: 135,800]
"With this amount of divine energy, I won't have to worry for a little bit."
Leaving the train car, Vesper made his way back to the group. After five minutes, they finally arrived at the underworld train station.
As the doors opened, Vesper was met by a scene of dozens of devils, all of different shapes and sizes. Most had a human form with wings and a tail, but some had a more assumed look.
"This place is fantastic...these buildings seem just like the kind in fantasy books and shows," Vesper said as he departed from the train.
"I know, and the women here are even more beautiful than I imagined," Issei said, wiping blood from his nose.
"T-that kid is a bit of a pervert, isn't he?" Vesper asked
"Sadly, yes, but he has a good heart, so we look past it," Kiba replied
Before Issei could respond, a carriage stalled up to the group, and a devil dressed as a butler walked down nd opened the door.
"Young master Rias, I welcome you back alongside your peerage...who may this be?" The man spoke with narrowed eyes as he saw Vesper.
"This is Vesper, he is a guest, you will treat him with the same respect you treat me,' Rias spoke as she entered the carriage.
"Of course, my lady," My man said quickly, gaining his composure and palcing a smile on his face.
As they all entered the carriage one by one, the butler closed the door, and as Vesper entered, he muttered a curse at the smell of divine energy on him.
Ignoring it, Vesper took his seat and spent the carriage ride looking at the city alongside Issei and Asia.
"I never imagined this place would be like this," Asia said as she looked out the window.
"Neither did I...all the book speaks about it in such a way, but I guess some things aren't what they seem," Vesper replied
After a ten-minute carriage ride, they finally arrived at the Gremory estate, where a group of people were waiting for them to arrive.
Getting out of the carriage, they were all greeted by a man who seemed to be in his forties, with shoulder-length crimson hair and emerald green eyes, dressed in a white-and-black suit with golden outlining. Standing next to him was a woman around the same age, with shoulder-length brown hair, violet eyes, and wearing a pearl-white dress and intricate jewelry.
Beside the pair was another name with waist-length crimson red hair, the same green eyes, and the same white suit, but he also wore a cape attached to shoulder armor. Standing next to him was a slightly shorter woman with long, braided silver hair, matching colored eyes, dressed in a blue-and-white maid's dress. Between them was a young boy with short red hair and silver eyes, giving the impression that he was the pair's child.
"Welcome back home, Rias, along with your friends," the oldest gentleman said with a smile.
"Thank you, Father, Issei, Asia, Vesper, this is my family, my father Zeoticus, my mother Venelana, my brother and current clan head Sirzechs, his wife Grayfia, and thier child Millicas," Rias listed, introducing each family member.
"I-it's a pleasure to meet you," Asia said nervously.
"Pleasure to meet you, my name is Issei Hyoudou," Issei said with a grin.
"It's an honor to meet you. My name is Vesper Sterling. I hope we have a long and prosperous relationship," Vesper replied as he shook each family member's hand.
Once he got to Millicas, he stopped and got down to his level.
"You must be the family head, right?"
"ha ha no I'm Millicas...I'm still only a child, so not yet," Millicas replied with a small laugh.
"Who would have guessed with the way you carried yourself, you seem like a natural born leader," Vesper said as he shook Millica's hand.
"Thank you, sir."
"So you are the young man who is to enter an alliance with us. We have much to talk about, but not now; you all must be tired from your trip. Please come in, dinner will be ready soon," Sirzechs said as he gestured to the large front doors that began to open on their own.