Even Buchou who is looked up to by everyone and who is also one of the “Two Great Onee-sama” also has worries. Buchou is also a girl. I get reminded about that sometimes. I knew that Buchou is a single girl. But I didn’t know she had worries like that. I couldn’t notice it. I hugged Buchou from behind her. “……Ise?”
“Buchou’s worries are something that I can’t imagine. But there wasn’t even a single time that I thought you were useless. If Buchou wasn’t here, I wouldn’t have experienced such a splendid life. You will always……always be the best woman to me. That’s how I think even if I know everything about you. I will always follow Buchou for the rest of my life. That’s why lets get through all the obstacles together!<--Darwen G'wein: "That's why" to "So"?-->”
That is the best thing I could say. It’s not something I could call a cheering up. But I wanted to become her strength, even a bit. Buchou holds my hand. “…….You always look at me. Yes. You are right. I feel like I can go through anything if you are by my side. It means that I am crazy about you. Yes, lets get through this. Together. Forever.”
She is smiling when she turned over, Aaah. This smile is also one of the charming points of Buchou! I can move straight ahead because I know how this person, Rias Gremory smiles. “…..But I’m still called “Buchou”……..”
“Did you say something?”
“……No. It’s nothing. Let’s go! Let’s finish the last trial!”
“Y…Yes!”
I followed Buchou who went ahead. The thing that Buchou said. I couldn’t hear what she said…… We walked through the passage after refreshing our feelings. There is only one more trial left for the so-called ritual! “Hello.”
Buchou and I arrived at the place of the trial where Blue, Beelzebub-sama was waiting. What was arranged was again a table and chairs. A writing implement and a pair of prints of paper are on the table. “The last trial is writing problems. It’s an exam style test that covers the history of the house of Gremory and general knowledge of the Underworld.”
Test!? Uwa! We came all the way here and the last thing is something which I am the worst at! I became pale instantly! “That’s why I will have you seated.”<--Darwen G'wein:"Please take your seats." instead?-->
Buchou and I sat on the chairs. Blue made a big sand-clock appear using his demonic-powers. “Then the limit is one hour. The test starts….now.”
The sand-clock is tipped and the test starts! Uo! It already began! I turned around the test paper that has few pages…….. Unnnn! I looked at the test paper and nasty sweat drops appeared on my forehead. They are all hard questions! ….There are things about peerages and also about high-class, middle-class, and low-class devils related to it……. Maou, Great-King and Arch-Duke are extremely important…… For the high-class devils the peerage goes Duke, Prince, Marquess, Count, Viscount and Baron. Was the peerage for the middle-class devils Baronet and Knight……? It’s similar to the human’s peerage but also includes devils original meaning to it….. Nu, nuuuuuu…….. The applied problems are complicated…… The level of the test is the right level for me because all of the questions are either problems that I can answer or problems that I can’t answer. Buchou is answering the questions smoothly besides me! That’s what you call a talented girl! So problems like this are a piece of cake for her! I’m in trouble. If I fail the test, then I can’t face Buchou and her parents! I used my brain in full and started glaring at the test papers. “Now stop.”
The test reaches the end with Blue’s words. The sand inside the sand-clock has all reached down as well. ………… I used my brain to the fullest for 1 hour and rested on the table after using up my brain. I did answer all the questions……. Now I need to wait for my mark and know the passing mark. Blue started marking the papers with a red pen. When he was marking Buchou’s paper, the movement of his pen signifies that she is getting all the questions correct. Though when he was marking mine, there were irregular movements of the pen a couple of times……. I never thought that I would feel so nervous to have my test marked in front of me….. Buchou is calm. To be expected from someone with dignity. She must be thinking that there is no way that she will fail. I feel like I’m dead. “Now then.”
Blue fixes the test paper by hitting the tips of it against the table. Seems like he finished marking. Gulp…… I swallowed down my spit……. “Rias Gremory passes without any problems. And Sekiryuutei, Hyoudou Issei-kun has……..”
Why do you stop there Blue-san!? “Passed, but it’s a sudden question! You're finished as soon as you make a mistake! So I will make Hyoudou Issei-kun answer!”
Whaaaaaat the heck is thaaaaat!? I don’t know what he means!? Please forgive me Beelzebub-sama! “To us devils, there were these things called the 72 pillars that existed a long time ago. I want you to name them from 1 to 72 in a row.”
What!? You make that the question!? It’s the order of the high-class devils from a long time ago, right? When I stayed in the Underworld, Buchou’s mother told me about them so it’s stuck in my brain! I then started to answer him. “Bael, Agares, Vassago, Gamigin, Marbas, Valefor, Amon, Barbatos, Paimon, Buer, Gusion, Sitri, Beleth, Leraje, Eligos, Zepar, Botis, Bathin, Sallos, Purson, Marax, Ipos, Aim, Naberius, Glaysa-Labolas, Bune, Ronove, Berith, Astaroth, Forneus, Foras, Asmoday, Gaap, Furfur, Marchosias, Stolas, Phoenix, Halphas, Malphas, Raim, Focalor, Wepal, Sabnock, Shax, Vine, Bifrons, Uvall, Haagenti, Crocell, Furcas, Balam, Alocer, Caim, Murmur, Orobas, Gremory, Ose, Amy, Oriax, Vapula, Zagan, Valac, Andras, Flauros, Andrealphus, Cimeries, Amduscias, Belial, Decarabia, Seere, Dantalion and Andromalius! How’s that!”
Haha…… I said all of them. I was told by Buchou’s Okaa-sama that I need to remember this order so she made me learn it until it was stuck in my head. Even if I couldn’t remember all of them while I stayed in the Underworld, I memorised them by practising saying it after that! Though there are high-class devils who aren’t counted in the 72 pillars. I think the house of Lucifugus where Grayfia-san comes from also belongs there. I heard that houses like that are called “Extra Demon”. “Splendid. Then what houses among them have become extinct.”
“Marbas, Valefor, Buer, Gusion, Leraje, Eligos, Botis, Bathin, Marax, Ipos, Aim, Bune, Ronove, Foras, Gaap, Marchosias, Halphas, Malphas, Raim, Wepal, Sabnock, Vine, Bifrons, Haagenti, Crocell, Alocer, Caim, Murmur, Orobas, Ose, Amy, Zagan, Andras, Flauros, Andrealphus, Cimeries, Amduscias, Decarabia, Seere, and Andromalius! H..How’s that!”
This time I’m not as confident as before! But Beelzebub-sama nods. “Correct. You did well. I thought that you wouldn’t know about it because you became a reincarnated devil recently. It was supposed to be a nasty problem but….. I will give you a pass.”
Blue gives me an applause. Beelzebub’s nasty question certainly gave me a blow.