Highschool DXD : Gacha Life

( Chysis's Pov )

The familiar crimson glow of the Underworld's sky greeted me as I materialized in the teleportation circle outside the Gremory estate. Despite having spent decades in the human world, returning to this place always brought a sense of homecoming that settled deep in my bones.

The guards at the entrance bowed respectfully as I passed, their recognition immediate despite my long absence. The halls of the main residence were as grand as ever, though I barely paid attention to the opulent décor as I made my way toward Sirzechs' private quarters.

"Grandmother!" Sirzechs' voice boomed with genuine warmth as I entered his study. He rose from behind his massive desk, documents scattered across its surface—no doubt more administrative work from his duties as a Maou. "What a wonderful surprise. I wasn't expecting you back from your vacation so soon."

Grayfia, ever the perfect maid and wife, was organizing papers nearby. She turned and offered me a respectful curtsy. "Lady Chysis, it's good to see you again."

"Grayfia, dear," I said with a fond smile, accepting Sirzechs' embrace. "You're looking well. Still keeping this one in line, I hope?"

She allowed herself a small smile. "Someone has to, my lady."

Sirzechs laughed, gesturing for me to take a seat in one of the comfortable chairs near the fireplace. "How has your time in the human world been? You look... refreshed."

That was an understatement. The effects of Akira's potion were still coursing through me, leaving me feeling more energetic than I had in years. "It's been quite enlightening, actually. The human world continues to surprise me."

"And Rias?" Grayfia inquired as she served tea. "How is our young lady faring?"

"Wonderfully," I replied, accepting the delicate porcelain cup. "She's grown so much stronger since I last saw her. Her peerage is developing nicely as well. Speaking of which—how are the preparations for her Rating Game proceeding?"

Sirzechs' expression grew more serious. "Everything is in order. The match against Riser Phenex is scheduled for next week. I have to admit, I'm concerned about the outcome, but Rias has been training diligently."

"She'll do fine," I said with confidence. "She has good instincts and better friends. That boy Akira has been quite helpful in their preparations."

"Ah yes, the mysterious transfer student," Sirzechs mused. "I've heard interesting reports about him."

We spent the next hour catching up on family matters, discussing various relatives and their current situations. Grayfia occasionally added her own observations, particularly about Millicas and his development. It was pleasant conversation, but I could sense Sirzechs' curiosity growing with each passing minute.

Finally, he set down his teacup and leaned forward slightly. "Not that I'm not delighted to see you, Grandmother, but what brings you back to the Underworld so suddenly? I thought you were planning to stay in the human world for several more months."

I took a breath, knowing this was the moment of truth. "Actually, I wanted to visit the hospital."

Both Sirzechs and Grayfia looked puzzled. "The hospital?" Sirzechs repeated. "Are you feeling unwell? You look healthier than I've seen you in decades."

"No, no, nothing like that." I reached into my robes and withdrew the crystal bottle containing the Holy Water of Life. The pink liquid seemed to glow even brighter in the dim light of the study. "I want to test this potion. I believe it might be able to cure the Devil's Sleep Disease."

The silence that followed was deafening. Sirzechs stared at the bottle, then at me, his expression cycling through confusion, skepticism, and something that might have been hope.

"Grandmother," he said slowly, "you know how many attempts have been made to find a cure for that disease. Some of the greatest minds in the Underworld have dedicated their lives to researching it, and none have succeeded."

I expected this reaction. "I know it sounds impossible. But Sirzechs, I tested this myself. The effects were... extraordinary. I felt renewed in ways I haven't experienced in centuries."

Grayfia moved closer, her analytical gaze fixed on the bottle. "What exactly did you feel when you consumed it?"

"Complete mana restoration, accelerated healing, increased vitality—it was as if years had been lifted from my shoulders." I met Sirzechs' eyes, knowing he could see the sincerity in mine. "I'm not saying I'm certain it will work. But the possibility... isn't it worth investigating?"

Sirzechs was quiet for a long moment, his expression thoughtful. I could practically see him weighing the potential benefits against the likelihood of disappointment. Finally, he stood.

"You're right. Even if the chances are minimal, we owe it to those suffering to try." He looked at Grayfia. "Would you join us?"

She nodded without hesitation. "Of course, Sirzechs-sama."

The three of us made our way through the teleportation network to the Underworld's primary medical facility. The hospital was a somber place, its halls filled with the quiet desperation of families visiting loved ones afflicted with various supernatural ailments. But it was the sleep ward that truly broke hearts—rows upon rows of beds containing devils who had been lost to the cursed slumber for years, sometimes decades.

We made our way to a private room where Misla Bael lay in peaceful repose. Sairaorg's mother had been one of the most promising young devils of her generation before the disease claimed her. Now she looked almost ethereal in her eternal sleep, her breathing steady but showing no other signs of life.

"Lady Misla," Sirzechs said softly, approaching her bedside. "If anyone deserves a chance at awakening, it's her."

"The potion has been tested for safety?" Grayfia asked, ever the voice of caution.

I nodded. "I consumed an entire bottle myself with no adverse effects—quite the opposite, actually."

Sirzechs examined the bottle one more time, then looked at me. "Are you certain about this?"

"As certain as I can be," I replied, though privately I found myself hoping desperately that Akira's creation would live up to its promise. "Though I must admit, I'm not entirely convinced it will work either."

Carefully, I uncorked the bottle and tilted it toward Misla's lips. The pink liquid flowed smoothly, and her body's natural reflexes allowed her to swallow despite her unconscious state. Within moments, the bottle was empty.

We waited.

Seconds stretched into minutes. Sirzechs' expression grew increasingly resigned, and I felt my own hope beginning to waver. Perhaps this had been foolish after all. Perhaps—

Misla Bael's eyes fluttered open.

Not gradually, not with the confused disorientation one might expect from someone awakening from a long sleep. Her eyes simply opened, clear and alert, as if she had merely been taking a brief nap.

But more than that—her skin, which had been pale and somewhat sallow from years of inactivity, was now glowing with vibrant health. Color had returned to her cheeks, and there was a vitality in her movements as she sat up that spoke of complete restoration.

"Lord Sirzechs," she said, her voice clear and strong as she inclined her head respectfully. "Lady Grayfia. And..." Her gaze settled on me with polite curiosity. "I apologize, but I don't believe we've been formally introduced."

The three of us stood frozen in stunned silence. Misla Bael was not just awake—she was completely, perfectly healthy. More than that, she seemed better than she had been even before the disease struck her.

My mind raced, trying to process what I was witnessing. Akira had called it a healing potion, had suggested it might cure diseases, but this... this was beyond anything I had imagined possible. This was a miracle made manifest.

"I..." Sirzechs started, then stopped, seemingly at a loss for words for perhaps the first time in his life.

Grayfia, ever composed, was staring with her mouth slightly agape—an expression I had never seen on her face in all the centuries I'd known her.

As for me, I could only think of one thing: that mysterious young man in the human world had just accomplished what the greatest medical minds in the Underworld had declared impossible.

And he had given me the means to do it as if it were nothing more than a simple favor between friends.

. . .

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