A/N: Sorry for the delay, PGR ended up taking up a lot more of my attention than I expected. One of the main reasons is that I managed to get Lucia and Nanami in a single round! (Including their signature weapons!)
There's also the release of Ordeal Call 4 which ended up affecting my plans for this story, my other Bleach story and several other stories that I'm in the planning phase. (Examples of this are my ZZZ and DXD stories.)
Imagine Michael, Gabriel and Azazel's reaction seeing that the Angel Metatron who represents the voice of God has become a NEET after possessing Jeanne's body and is serving a human who visited hell and heaven and on top of that has a contract with the equivalent of the Anti-Christ! (I'm referring to Nero Draco)
I have a lot to say about this OC4 besides what's happening in the PGR story which is a complete mess!
Kuro Games are really bold in killing one of the protagonists (I'm referring to Lucia) and having Raven (the name of the Commander that I made up) go through a 30-year timeskip!
Here I was thinking that it was just the Nasuverse that was a mess and making the protagonist of the story suffer a lot!
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Continuing where we left off...
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(Ritsuka's view)
BB's frantic reaction was something I expected, after all this is something very risky and bold, but it's the only way I know that has the greatest chance of making both sides win.
But with the information I have about the Stone Hearts that I acquired from Aventurine, I'm sure my plan will work.
"That said. Before I go to where Topaz is, I need your help with something very important, Bronya." I look at Bronya with a confident smile, showing my confidence in this plan of mine.
"And what do you need my help with? Does this have to do with your bold bet?" Bronya's question made me answer her by nodding my head.
"Senpai. Are you absolutely sure that it's a good idea to use your Saint Quartz as a trading object for negotiation? Do you realize how dangerous that is?" I understand BB's concern, after all, if the Saint Quartz falls into the hands of the IPC there is a risk that they will be able to access the Throne of Heroes, but I remember a very important detail.
💭 Yog-Sothoth said that the Saint Quartz are the catalysts and that I am the key to using this, this means that it is impossible for the IPC to use the Saint Quartz, but I don't rule out the possibility of them using the energy that the Saint Quartz emanates.
"Yes, I have BB. Trust me when I say this. If this ends up hurting me in the future, then I'll deal with it when the problem comes." I show BB my natural smile and hear her sigh.
"You never change, Senpai..." BB keeps mumbling in a disappointed tone, but I know more than anyone that she's not really mad.
"Now about the help I need from you, Bronya. I need you to make a deal with me." This caught everyone's attention, who didn't expect me to say that, but that's part of my plan.
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Some time later
Underworld
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(Narrator's view)
Jalena is with Clara's father, Svarog, in the underworld searching for the location of the powerful weapons that the IPC gave to the people of Jarilo-VI to face the Legion, but when Svarog brought Jalena to where she wanted, she discovers that the weapons are hidden under some rocks.
The people of Jarilo-VI were unable to fully use the weapons that the IPC gave them, so they decided to create replicas of these weapons to use in the attack against the Legion, while the IPC weapons were left hidden.
Svarog would prefer that the IPC not get involved in Belobog's affairs, but his opinion alone is not enough to make any changes.
Jalena, on the other hand, believes that the IPC's help is necessary to save Jarilo-VI from the possible return of the Legion, in addition to helping in the process of rebuilding the planet.
During their discussion, the two hear footsteps approaching them and Jalena and Svarog see Ritsuka approaching them.
"Have you finally decided to act, Ritsuka? I was finding your lack of interference in my plans strange. Don't tell me you've given up?" Jalena is using a professional smile to hide a slight feeling of concern.
The reason for this is that in Jalena's opinion, despite their close relationship, she knows that Ritsuka hides many secrets that she has not been able to discover to this day, but she knows very well that Ritsuka can be unpredictable like her coworker called Aventurine.
"When you're in a battle, it's sometimes best to observe the enemy's actions before you act. It's good to see you again, Svarog, but could you leave Topaz and I alone? I need to talk to her in private." A friendly smile spread across Ritsuka's face and Svarog began to analyze the expressions of the two humans present.
Svarog noticed a change in Topaz's attitude when Ritsuka appeared. When she was first approaching him, Topaz had spoken with a direct and professional tone, but when she had a brief conversation with Ritsuka, he noticed a casual tone coming from her, suggesting that the two had a seemingly close relationship.
After confirming the analysis, Svarog silently left the two alone to talk.
"I have to say, I was hoping you would come with your Astral Express companions, but it seems you decided to come alone." Jalena stands with her arms crossed, looking at Ritsuka, who comes a little closer to her, standing face to face with her.
"True. I could have brought Stella and March 7 here, but that wouldn't be necessary, after all, this is between you and me." Ritsuka's words exude a tone of confidence that Jalena notices.
"Before I came here, I decided to do a little investigation and into your plans with Jarilo-VI." Jalena raises an eyebrow at what Ritsuka said.
"Oh. Really? Then tell me what you found out, Ritsuka." Jalena is confident that Ritsuka didn't find out all of her plans.
However, when Ritsuka began to tell her everything he knows about Jalena's reason for being in Jarilo-VI, her professional smile disappears.
"How did you find out all of this?" Jalena stands with her arms crossed and a serious expression after hearing Ritsuka's words.
"Believe it or not, BB is an excellent hacker, so it won't be too difficult for her to get this information for me. However, I have to admit that I didn't expect you to ask for permission to attack us directly, it's a shame that I won't be able to see your form using your Cornerstone." Ritsuka honestly wants to see what Jalena looks like using her Cornerstone, but it seems that this wish will be set aside.
Jalena didn't expect that this woman called BB would be skilled enough to bypass the IPC's technological security; the only person she knows who is capable of doing so is the Stellaron Hunter,Silver Wolf.
Knowing that this type of person is part of Ritsuka's mysterious world only adds an air of mystery about him that increases Jalena's curiosity.
"You say it as if we're not going to face each other. Judging by your confidence, you didn't come here without a plan." Jalena gets straight to the point, not wanting to waste any more of her precious time, after all she needs to send a report on her progress to her superiors.
"Of course. If I had come here without anything in mind, it would be disrespectful to all the strategy classes I had in my world." Saying this, a blue digital panel appears in front of Jalena, taking her by surprise.
The panel itself is a Space Station contract with Herta's authorization and Bronya's signature at the end of the contract text.
"What is this?" Jalena, perplexed, begins to read what is written in the contract slowly, but only the beginning of the text leaves her in total shock.
"To summarize in a few words what is written, Jarilo-VI is basically my planet now, or technically speaking, Jarilo-VI is my research planet now." Ritsuka's casual tone irritates Jalena for a brief moment since this basically throws her entire plan in the trash.
The contract that Bronya signed gives Ritsuka the authority to use the planet Jarilo-VI as a research site, making him legally responsible, and leaving the planet under the protection of the Space Station, since all the researchers there do not like their research to be disturbed or interrupted, and this rule applies to the IPC as well.
Of course, if the IPC really wants to, they can circumvent this rule, but Jalena knows very well that the IPC will not spend resources on a planet that in their eyes is irrelevant.
And to add more salt to the wound, the contract also says that Jarilo-VI will receive help from Ruan Mei's research to help rebuild the planet.
With this information, any advantage that Jalena had in making her project a success was completely annihilated by a simple contract.
"Wow. I'm not surprised that the Madam Guardian would accept this deal of yours, but tell me something, Ritsuka. How are you going to pay off the debt she owes the IPC?" The contract says nothing about the debt, giving Jalena a small hope that she might have a chance to come out on top.
"Oh, that's on Herta. That's her problem now." Ritsuka gives a quick and clear answer to Jalena, who is momentarily surprised to see that Ritsuka basically threw this problem into the hands of someone who is his boss.
Ritsuka is not a petty person by nature, but being an Avenger-class Servant ends up influencing him in certain things, such as screwing with and irritating Herta sometimes as a form of personal entertainment.
"It seems I lost this time. I'll accept my defeat without complaints, but I think you cheated a little by using your partner to find out about my plans." Jalena lets out a sigh, holding her frustration inside, already knowing that she will suffer the consequences when she sends the report to the IPC.
"I just used the cards I had in my deck, Jalena, there was no cheating." A victorious smile appears on Ritsuka's face, causing Jalena's frustration to finally come out.
"I regret bitterly from the day you and Aventurine became friends. I don't know how you two got along so well for just one day!" Jalena's frustration makes a sense of satisfaction arise inside Ritsuka, who is enjoying pushing her buttons.
"Okay, okay. Seriously now. I know you really wanted to help this planet, I understand that. But knowing that this will be under the control of the IPC makes me very wary of letting that happen. That's why I decided to interfere." With those words, a portal appears in Ritsuka's hands and a Saint Quartz falls into his right hand.
"However, I know how important this project is to you and also the consequences if you fail this project. With that in mind, I don't want to harm the effort you're putting in to get where you are now, so I want you to have this." Ritsuka gives Jalena the Saint Quartz to her, who looks at the colored crystal with a look of surprise.
"Since you helped me a lot in the past, this is my way of repaying the favor I owe you." A gentle smile appears on Ritsuka's face as Jalena is shocked by the Saint Quartz in her hands.
Jalena is in complete shock at the amount of power the Saint Quartz is emanating. To her shock, the power of the Saint Quartz is greater than the Cornerstone she received from the "Diamond".
"What?! Ritsuka, what is this thing you gave me?!" Jalena can't believe that this unknown crystal is emanating power greater than the fragmented power of a Preservation Emenator.
"Explaining it to you in detail would be a long story that would be better left for later." With these words, Ritsuka looks at Jalena with a serious expression and decides to make a short speech.
"But the important thing is that I want you to give this crystal to your boss and tell the IPC the following words of mine: In consideration of my friendship and partnership with Topaz, I, Ritsuka Fujimaru, the Agent of Retribution of HooH, give one of my resources to the IPC as a form of compensation for the trouble and resources used for this project. I hope this is enough as fair payment for this inconvenience." Ritsuka finishes saying this corporate speech to Jalena, who looks at Ritsuka as if he had a second head.
"What?! I have so many questions about what's going on right now! What's this talk about HooH's Retribution Agent?!" Jelana can't keep her composure after a wave of unexpected things Ritsuka is doing in front of her.
"Okay. I'll have to give you a quick summary of things." With a sigh, Ritsuka gives a brief explanation about him being an Equilibrium Emenator and a little about the Saints Quartz.
"Okay, let me see if I understand everything. You're an Equilibrium Emenator and this crystal in my hands is more powerful than my Cornerstone?" Ritsuka nods in agreement to Jalena's questions.
"And you're giving me something so important as compensation?! Are you crazy, Ritsuka!" Jelana can't believe what she's seeing with Ritsuka's decision.
"Look, I know what I'm doing and I know the possible consequences of this, but I don't want you to lose out on this! You can call me selfish if you want, but I don't want an important friend of mine who works hard to be harmed!" Jalena is surprised to see how seriously Ritsuka is taking this.
"But I can handle it, losing a position in the ranking won't be the end of the world for me." Jelana says this trying to make Ritsuka change his mind, but she sees how determined he is.
"I don't care. If I can help you, I'll help you without thinking twice. You helped me when I was in trouble, Jalena, so let me do the same." Seeing Ritsuka's serious and sincere expression, Jalena ends up feeling a certain warmth inside her.
"Right. It seems like you're not going to change your mind. But you do realize that the IPC will pay more attention to you, don't you?" A feeling of concern arises within Jalena, but she sees that Ritsuka is not bothered at all.
"I already knew I wouldn't be able to remain anonymous for long, after all I have a bad habit of attracting trouble. It's easier for me to bring trouble to myself than to wait for it to arrive." Ritsuka's calm smile makes Jalena sigh, surprised at how casually he's taking all this.
In the end, everything went well and according to Ritsuka's plans. With his agreement with Bronya, Jarilo-VI is now in the care of the Space Station that will now help the citizens of Belobog in the distribution of resources to the city's enclosure.
On the other hand, Jalena reported everything that happened and Ritsuka's words to the IPC and to her surprise, the superiors remained completely silent and did not give an immediate response, they only said that she would receive a notification the next day.
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One day later...
Ritsuka's vision.
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Another day passes and the problem that Belobog was going through with the IPC has been resolved, leaving Bronya happy to see that Jarilo-VI is in good hands and that the debt will be paid.
Now all I want to do is enjoy the festival and see what I'm going to do with Bronya and Seele since they want me to spend time with them.
Obviously I ignored the multiple messages of complaints that I'm receiving from Herta, I already knew that that old woman would react, but I don't feel like dealing with her at the moment.
I'm now relaxing in my room at Belobog's hotel along with Fou who is sleeping next to me.
However, unfortunately my rest is interrupted by someone ringing the doorbell of my room.
"Who dares to disturb my sacred sleep at this time?" I look at the door of my room with an irritated expression similar to Gilgamesh's.
Fou:Fo... (Special translation: I smell a female. Hmm... It's that woman with the thighs. Will she finally give in to her predator or not?)
Being a little grumpy I walk to the door and when I open it I see that the person who rang the doorbell is Jelana who is looking at me awkwardly.
"Hello, Ritsuka. I hope I haven't woken you up." I hold back my rude words that wanted to come out at that exact moment when I hear what Jalena said.
"Don't worry about it, Jalena. What do you need? I thought you would be leaving already after you sent the report to your superiors." Jalena lets out a weak laugh upon hearing what I said.
"So. That was the plan, but I ended up receiving a request for you to participate in a meeting with me." I am surprised by Jalena's words.
Of all the things I was looking forward to, a meeting between the IPC members was the last thing on my list.
"I assume this has to do with the Saint Quartz I gave you, right?" Jalena nods, confirming my suspicions.
I let Jalena enter my room and she sits in one of my chairs and hands me a communicator just like the one she uses.
"Use this to join the meeting that has already started, we are just waiting for your arrival." Jalena's words make me curious to know who is participating in this meeting.
The moment I put the communicator Jalena gave me to my ear, I hear an annoying voice that I immediately recognize.
Aventurine: Hello? Can you hear me, my dear friend? How are you?
💭*Sigh* Of course he's here...
I immediately get an expression of disgust when I hear Aventurine's voice behind the communicator, even though I can't see him, I can imagine his snobbish smile just by the tone of his voice.
"Hello, Aventurine. What a pity to hear from you again." I'm not mincing my words when I'm talking to him.
In response, Aventurine lets out a loud laugh and Jalena lets out a sigh shaking her head, tired of seeing our interaction repeat itself.
Aventurine: Hahaha. I'm glad to see you haven't changed at all, my dear friend.
"Can you guys not start now? This is an important meeting." Jalena immediately gets in the middle of our conversation, not wanting Aventurine and I to continue exchanging barbs with each other.
Aventurine: Hehehe, alright, alright. As much as I want to continue the conversation with you, my dear friend has someone important who wants to talk to you.
"Oh? That's who that person is." I get curious when I hear Aventurine's words and soon after I get my answer.
Jade: He's referring to me. It's a pleasure to meet you, Agent of Retribution or as you prefer to be called, Ritsuka Fujimaru. My name is Jade. I assume you've heard of me, yes?
I immediately get a serious expression when I hear the calm voice with a soft seductive air coming from her. Honestly, hearing her voice reminds me of the seductive voice of Shuten Douji and Ibuki Douji when the two of them want something with me.
"Yes. I've heard about you, Jade. It would be impossible for me not to know about you since I'm close with two of your coworkers." My words make Jade let out a light laugh that only increases the similarities she has with my Serpent Servants.
Jade: I'm glad to know that you're getting along with them.
"So. Why did you want me to participate in this meeting? If I'm not mistaken, I'm not part of the IPC." I decided to get straight to the point. For people like Jade, it's better not to dance around her so as not to end up falling victim to her venom.
Jade: Getting straight to the point, I like that. The reason I want you to be present at this meeting is to discuss the mysterious crystal of yours that you gave to young Jalena. I believe the name of this crystal is Saint Quartz, correct?
"Yes. That's the name of the crystal. Don't tell me that,Diamond refused the crystal?" I feel a slight sense of concern, afraid that my plan wouldn't work.
Jade: Quite the opposite, I'd say that you're making such a big fuss at the IPC that you forced,Diamond to accept the crystal whether he wanted it or not.
"So, Topaz didn't suffer any consequences?" I'm relieved to hear that he accepted, but I need to know about this important detail.
Jade: Hehe. Don't worry,Ritsuka. Young Jalena won't suffer any penalties for what happened on Jarilo-VI. However, some of the investors weren't too happy to see you taking control of this planet. So I decided to give you a little help in the form of a contract from me to avoid certain problems.
I'm not surprised to hear this coming from Jade since I know the area of work she operates in at the IPC.
"So what is this contract you're offering me and what type is it?" I immediately think of several alternatives to avoid or counteract this contract.
Jade: It's a contract that involves you and young Jalena. As for the type, it's an engagement contract.
...What?
I beg your pardon?
Fou: Fou! Fou! (Special translation: Hahahahaha! Looks like that witch fairy queen is going to lose her throne as a wife! HAHAHA, THIS IS HILARIOUS!)
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Next chapter: I hate my damn luck!!!
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A/N: One quick thing I have to say. I'm aware of the Fate/Stay Night UBW event that's going to happen in Penecony, which is very ironic since it's in this arc that a big development and change in Ritsuka will happen.
Obviously I'm going to put the story of the event in the story, but it will take place after the events of Penecony.
I honestly wish Gilgamesh would be in the event, but it will probably just be Archer and Artoria.