Wrought Iron Devil: Gate of Blades

Stalker

The fact that Irina and Saber moved in meant that the portions of food required increased drastically. Such was the upscaling that you contacted Rias for assistance as the funding would have sunk you financially. It certainly did little to alleviate the stress of the new routine.

The early morning training that had started under Rias and Akeno had been revised as early morning evolutions and spars with Scàthach. These went about as well as one would expect when facing the mentor of Cú Chulainn. So when one came back, you were exhausted, in need of a shower, and had to start breakfast soon.

Once breakfast and dishwashing was done, pack up and head to school, Akeno, sometimes Gilgamesh, Irina and Saber in tow. If anything it was a benefit when Gilgamesh was there. Any jealous gazes your way were instantly shut down by the sharp glare of the Queen of Heroes who deemed them unworthy of gazing upon her.

School entailed the usual classes with Heroic Spirits and Fallen Angels for teachers. Then it was on to the ORC meeting. This was were the routine ended today.

"Ah. (F/n). Good. All masters and Servants present and accounted for." Azazel said to herald your arrival with Akeno and Gilgamesh. Sairaorg and Beowulf stood off to one side with Sona and Tamamo. The rest of the ORC and Servants were scattered around. But standing beside Azazel was a familiar face.

"Raynare."

"Ma- (F/n)." Raynare got out in a fumble. It drew the attention of everyone of course. The reactions were from innocent like Irina tilting her head curiously, or malicious amusement reflected from Gilgamesh. Still, the fact that no one, namely Issei, was showing hostile intent marked a dramatic improvement in the Fallen Angel's reputation.

"So what's up Azazel?" You asked the Governor.

"Raynare is here giving us a report on her findings. She's been going around trying to collect intel on the enemy." Azazel explained. "Go on Raynare."

"It's not much to report. The word is about the ones we already know about. Vali's got Lancer. Bikou's got Rider. Kuroka has Caster. We know someone's got Saber, but not whom." Raynare said.

"So they're laying low." Rias summarized.

"It's a competent move. The enemy does not want to show their hand immediately." Iskandar held his chin in thought.

"The best rumors I got was that they're part of the Old Satan faction."

"Old Satan?" Issei echoed.

"The faction that lady I fought back at the summit was from." Azazel explained. "Let's just leave it at disgruntled old devils not liking the new system. The real problem with that is that they're guaranteed to be packing in power, and that naturally translates to their servants."

"And in the mean time we've been pretty out in the open on that one."Sairaorg added. "It's not really a secret in the Devil world that (F/n), Sona, Azazel, Issei and myself are masters."

"Then we are at a disadvantage." You concluded.

"Sorry to ask a dumb question, but aren't Servants more dangerous?" Raynare pointed out the obvious.

"Ninety nine percent yes." You said. "But if you eliminate the master, they are almost always taken with them. Problem is that the Old Satan faction means powerful magic users with a servant with exceptionally high mana to supply. We're no different. We're basically Merlin. On a warpath."

"Scary thought." Saber winced.

"And yet you fought off Caster." Irina pointed out. "But you just said Servants are more dangerous and it's the Master's role to support them."