Chapter 19: Excalibur in Town

Chapter 19: Excalibur in Town

"Three Excalibur swords had been stolen from several vaults within the Vatican Catholic Church, Protestan Church and Eastern Orthodox Church respectively."

"Our security couldn't identify the culprit, but we have several leads. Each of the holy swords had been imbued with a contingency beacon for us to track them, and their signals were lost at the coasts of Japan."

Griselda explained the crux of their purpose in Kuoh. Their derivative was not to antagonize the Devils, but to investigate a trail of their stolen property.

Valper fixed his glasses as he continued.

"Yes, as she said. Our first suspect was the eastern demons of Kyoto, but after further consideration, we abolished the conjecture due to them having no cause against us. Thus, we arrived at the next logical destination - a town which is under two devils' supervision."

Those not of the Church tensed. No words need to be said for them to know their intentions.

"Are we perchance your second suspect?" Rias asked, her voice calm as water.

"Goodness, please, we are not accusing you of anything." Valper replied with a mildly amused smile, "But the chance of your involvement is undeniable. Fortunately, among the leads that Sister Quarta mentioned, one which implied that you are not our prime suspect."

"Um Excuse me sir."

Everyone turned to see Saji raising his hand sheepishly.

"Sorry for, um, interrupting, but I have a question. I thought there's only one 'Excalibur' so? I am a bit lost."

The tension in the room bled away as everyone looked at the fresh pawn.

Sona sighed softly as she fixed her own glasses.

"My apologies. Not all of my servants are privy to our common knowledge. His Reincarnation occurred only a few months ago. It might be wise to educate those in the room to avoid any hazardous miscommunication between our factions."

Griselda merely closed her eyes, while Valper lightly snorted, but he nodded.

"Of course, of course. It is only given to provide enlightenment to the young and foolish."

For some reason, the devils felt Valper just gave them a back-handed retort. Nonetheless, Irina took it upon herself to explain the big picture.

"Oh, don't worry too much, not everyone knows about this, so let me explain!" Irina volunteered herself, "So, yes, there is an Excalibur, the one in the legends of King Arthur. But what they didn't tell is that it broke a long time ago, back in the Great War. I assume you already know about that one, um?"

Remembering that Irina had yet to learn most of everyone's names, Saji replied, "It's Genshirou Saji, Pawn of Sona Sitri."

Irina nodded, "Right, Saji-kun. No one knows who or what broke the sword, but we gathered the remains and reforged the shards into seven different swords with alchemy. For instance, Xenovia."

On cue, Xenovia unraveled the cloth wrapping her package, revealing a large ornate sword.

The sight of it caused a clamoring shiver to grip the spines of every devil in the room while Issei stared at the weapon. He did not remember Azazel educating him about those swords, only that holy swords existed.

"This is one of the seven - Excalibur Destruction. As for its powers, I will leave it to my teacher to allow such privilege to its secrets."

"As for mine" Irina then gestured at her wrist, particularly at the wristband wrapped around her hand, which suddenly transformed into a katana. "It's Excalibur Mimic. It's capable of shapeshifting into whatever object the wielder wishes, so it's perfect for infiltration." She said proudly.

"Irina." Griselda called her with a chiding tone.

As soon as Irina's eyes met Griselda's stern look, the girl immediately looked apologetic as she quickly returned her holy sword into her wristband.

On the other hand, Valper merely chuckled, "There is no need to be so hard on young Irina, is there, Sister Griselda? Excalibur Mimic is quite one of a kind, after all."

"It is still unbecoming of her as an exorcist to boast. It only ferments the sin of pride." the older nun calmly replied.

"But aren't we all guilty of that? How can we be faithful if we are not proud of what we represent?"

"That pride is the reason why many discarded our ways. It is the seed of arrogance, and the water of blind faith."

"Then that is the problem with our comrades' personal lives, not ours. If they cannot keep themselves in balance of faith, they don't deserve to be a follower of God."

The Devils and humans observed the banter between the two, both following different ideologies of faith. One side promotes righteous pride while the other values humility.

"Ahem." Sona loudly cleared her throat to get their attention.

"Oh, dear me, please excuse us." Valper apologized. "We did not mean to waste your time with our personal matters... Returning to our purpose, we requested your presence for a query. We only ask for your permission to conduct a private investigation within your territory... Undisturbed if possible."

In other words, do not interfere with their work, in blunt translation. Issei noticed Rias and Sona saw past their gentle tone and words. They were glaring at him with those calm stoic eyes, he could tell.

"While we appreciate the gesture" Sona replied, "The evidence that leads your missing items into our territory still sounds circumstantial at best. While we don't mind permitting your roaming as long as your group doesn't instigate problems, we would like one of our own to monitor your activities."

Issei noticed several reactions - Irina raised her eyebrows in a mild bemusement, Xenovia's face was that of displeasure, Griselda did not lose her calm look, while Valper's smile slightly faded away.

"Your argument is fair, but." Griselda opened her eyes. "...If possible, I prefer that the one watching over us is from a neutral party, just in case."

In response, all Devil's eyes fell on Issei.

Issei saw the attention on his person. "...What?"

"I think we have a good candidate in our midst." Sona smiles lightly.

Issei did not need further words to understand their intentions. "...Alright, I'm game." Issei shrugged. He wanted to keep an eye on them anyways.

"Him? Isn't he one of you?" Valper asked.

"Nope. I'm a human." Issei denied.

"A human?" Griselda asked as they eyed Issei with interest.

"Now that I look at you, you don't have the aura of a Devil but you blend in with them so well." Griselda commented with inspection.

"A human mingling among the devils? What is your affiliation with the devils here, young man?" Valper asked, rubbing his chin.

"Just some guy that coaches one heiress without pay and works as a paperwork debt slave to another." Issei humorously introduced.

A few faint giggles were heard around the room, as Rias covered her amused smile by sipping on her tea.

"I see." Griselda replied, albeit she did not fully understand Issei's answer. "I assume that you're a contractor, correct? May we know your name?"

"...Hyoudou, Issei Hyoudou."

For the briefest moment, Issei could have sworn there was a hint of recognition behind the nun's blue eyes and the smallest twitch of her lips.

"...I see." Griselda nodded and closed her eyes for a second. "Then I believe we are in agreement. We are looking forward to working with you, Mr. Hyoudou."

Valper had a neutral expression on his face, but he did not say anything on the contrary.

"Excuse me for a moment, ma'am."

Griselda glanced at Xenovia who just spoke earlier. The young woman leaned in closer so she could speak in a lower tone to her.

"Can you please reconsider? We cannot trust this boy."

"Yes, we can!" Irina argued. "I know him! Sure, he may be seduced by the Devils, but I'm sure that he can be saved!"

"But-"

"Xenovia Quarta. Irina Shidou."

Griselda interjected. Her tone was calm, strict, yet the two girls froze like statues stiff.

"What did I tell you about making assumptions without evidence?" Griselda asked as she craned her head to them, her smile still present but her eyes sharply narrow.

"We are sorry"

The two girls apologized in unison.

"Now, now, Sister Griselda." Valper interjected again, "While I agree with you in regards to assuming without evidence, I think these children might be onto something."

The Archbishop then turned to Issei. "Forgive me for asking this, young man. While we appreciate your participation, I would rather if you can show us some. Credentials."

Issei blinked, "I'm afraid you lost me."

"Looking back at your cryptic reply regarding your relationship with those devils, it is safe to assume that you've been living with them for some time." Valper leaned forward, "...How do we know that you are not under their control?"

"What?" Rias did not hide her vocal anger.

His question triggered the devils in the room, arousing much ire for crossing a line.

"Seriously, you fat old fart?"

"I what?"

However, Issei banished the tension. Valper was caught off guard by Issei's derisive response.

Without a word, Issei raised his left arm. Red metal soon materialized over his fist, spreading until it reached his elbow, revealing a red gauntlet with an emerald gem embossed in the metal.

"I dare you to say that again to my face, old man."

Griselda's eyes widened slightly at the sight of the Longinus. Valper looked startled, while Xenovia and Irina were instantly ready to draw their weapons.

However, Valper immediately regained his composure. "The Gauntlet of The Red Dragon Emperor I see. I believe I've overstepped my bounds."

"Yes, you did." Rias commented with a glare. "Please don't even think that we will fall so low towards our allies."

Xenovia and Irina slowly relaxed their guards as Valper stared back at Rias in the tense silence.

"...Perhaps we have overstayed our welcome." Valper stood up. Griselda rose after him. "We shall be in contact for further discussion of arrangements. May God bless you."

Issei rolled his eyes, the annoying trademark moniker irritating him. He watched as they left, but Irina glanced at him and flashed a small apologetic smile. Issei waved his hand goodbye at her which Irina waved back with a giggle.

"So" Tsubasa joined Issei, once the guests had completely left the room. "I guess that's the other childhood friend?" She quipped as she inspected the cute bubbly girl.

"What? Feeling jealous?" Issei joked.

Tsubasa scoffed, "Please, you only know her for how long? One? Two years? I've known you since middle school, so it gave us roughly three years. Oh, and I'm also your girlfriend."

"Yeeeeep, you're jealous. You look cute like that, you know?" Issei snickered.

"...Shut up." In return, Tsubasa smacked his arm.

On the other hand, Yuuto walked up towards his master. "President, may I make a request?"

"Hm?" Rias was slightly surprised. Usually, Yuuto was reserved. "What is it, Yuuto?"

His face was stern, eyes burning with a rare focus and emotion, distorting his usual knight persona.

"I wish to join Ise accompanying the church officials," the Knight requested.

"Eh?" Issei uttered. He was not alone. Everyone else in the room shared the same confusion.

"Why? You're not 'neutral', and the old fatso will be a bigger pain in the ass if you're with me."

The guy was like a shady politician, hiding behind a pretty, but annoying wall of words.

"I agree with Issei. I will deny your request." Rias rejected.

"But president! They are dangerous! Issei can't be alone with them or else-".

"Enough." Rias' eyes hardened. "I know what you want. It would be better if you don't use Ise as an excuse for your personal grudge."

"President! This is not-"

"I will not let you lose in your past again. I won't make the same mistake as I have before."

Yuuto stuttered as his jaw and fist clenched with palpable, trembling rage.

Rias merely sighed, "Go home and get some rest, Yuuto. It's best if we discuss this tomorrow."

Without another word, the Knight then stormed out from the room. Issei and the others watched Yuuto exit the door. Issei was confused that Yuuto had that side to him as well,

Questions for later assuming Yuuto would answer him.

"The rest of you, return to your activities." Sona interjected the brief silence. "If you have finished all of your duties, you may return home for the day. That is all."

Issei let out a breath after he had poured a bucket of hot water over his frame.

It was bath time, and the boy used the moment of respite to contemplate in his dip within the spring.

Stolen Excalibur swords leading the investigation team all the way to Kuoh it screamed a storm's omen no matter what he thought.

[...Will you be alright there?]

Issei recognised the voice immediately, "What are you talking about, Ddraig?"

[Those folks from the Vatican. I know what you'd been through with those people, since that day you awoke me for the first time.]

"Yeah, it was" Issei mused, remembering the fire, the destruction, the blood.

[Partner!]

Fortunately, the Welsh Dragon's voice snapped him out of it before his mind went back to more dangerous thoughts.

"Sorry, sorry, thanks for the save, Ddraig. But back to your question, I'll be fine. They're different people; same cloth, sure, but ultimately different people After all, those who were responsible"

Issei narrowed his eyes at the memory, when his further musing was interrupted by an arrival inside the large bathroom. He forgot that he was the only healthy male in this home.

There was only one thing left to do.

Flee.

Issei quickly rose from the waters and made his way out in quick steps.

"Leaving so soon?"

Issei stopped in his tracks when he heard Rias' voice.

"Are you that afraid to join me in a bath, Issei?"

Issei scrunched his brows as he peeked at her direction.

Rias' figure obscured by the steam inside the bathroom. Rias exited the shower booth after washing herself, now walking towards him.

Issei took a breath to focus himself.

"Maybe. Now if you'll excuse me..." Issei promptly made his escape.

"Please, it is unmanly to deny a girl's invitation, you know? What would your mother think if I told her about how you rudely thought so low of the most beautiful girl in the school?"

Issei paused his steps, his lips sporting the biggest frown he ever had.

"...Dammit."

"Not the reaction I was looking for, but whatever." Rias snorted as she stepped inside the spring, choosing the spot right next to Issei.

"In fact, instead of stressing yourself there, why don't you just relax? The water is nice, and it's not like we want something to happen."

Rias' tone and knowing smile did not help the frown on Issei's face - she was clearly teasing him.

"I ain't cheap." Issei sighed as he returned to the waters, sitting. "So, what do you want?" He asked.

"Hm, having you in my peerage is a good start." Rias replied after a brief thinking.

"Har har, no. Anything else?" Issei rolled his eyes.

"Hmmm, well" Rias tapped her chin in thought. "Hard to say what do you think of me?"

Issei briefly paused.

"A cute girl who thinks she is a mastermind but actually an adorable bumbler."

Rias pouted, "Are you always this blunt to anyone?"

Truth to be told, Rias possessed a confidence that she could control a flow of conversation with her natural charisma, more so if her conversation partner was a healthy young man like Issei. Having a reaction opposite of what she expected of Issei, Rias could not help but feel irritated.

Then again, the irritation was quickly replaced with intrigue and amusement; after all, she also had longed for someone who would simply interact with her as an equal.

"Well, I got that part from my dad. Though, mom's afraid it will give trouble in finding a girl. Otherwise, I think it's a part of my charm." Issei grinned a little.

Rias then giggled while shaking her head in amusement. The two then fell into a companionable silence for another good minutes before Issei asked without looking at Rias, "...Say, can I ask something?"

"You already did." Rias simply replied without looking back as well.

"...What's up with Kiba earlier?"

This time, Rias blinked and glanced at Issei.

"It's easy to tell. As far as I know, Kiba was NEVER that edgy before."

Rias exhaled as she scooped up some water with her hands, the water was drained through her fingers soon enough, and she ran her wet hands through her crimson locks.

"...Before I found him, Yuuto was once a Christian." Rias began, garnering Issei's attention. "As far as I know, he had been an orphan staying in a church until he was inducted into a program called, 'Holy Sword Project', where volunteers would be studied and experimented upon, children like Yuuto and others his age, to publicize the wielding of holy swords to all."

The word 'experiment' only further worsened his views of the Church.

"Long story short, the program was downright cruel. They were treated as animals, no, maybe less. Ultimately, Yuuto and the other children were deemed invalids, unable to reach the ideal goal. Thus, they were disposed of. I happened to run into his dying form during one of my past travels in Europe Even now, I still remember the sheer hatred behind his eyes when I reincarnated him into my Knight."

"I see" Issei looked down, seeing the reflection of his solemn expression on the spring water. "And this Holy Sword Project. Involved Excalibur, by any chance?"

"According to what I heard, Excalibur was the primary objective of the program." Rias nodded, "For a long time, destroying the Excalibur had always been Yuuto's long-life goal It took quite a while for him to forgo his past as I guided his talents and newfound Sacred Gear to my cause But I believe the years were for naught the moment the Church entered our town with the holy swords that caused him so much pain," Rias ended with a sigh.

"...Didn't know he had that kind of baggage." Issei scoffed, staring at his reflection on the water.

"All of us have our own demons, Ise." Rias smiled sadly. "Though, I don't think I can compare mine with my servants. You've heard about Koneko and Akeno, haven't you?"

"Yeah During training camp. I guess that left me with Gasper, huh?"

"You did But something tells me that you will become my peerage's exclusive therapist." Rias mused.

"No, I'm not-" Issei was about to retort when he thought it over. He helped Koneko and Akeno in dealing with their bloodline issues, and while he was not directly involved, he also helped Gasper in overcoming his Xenophobia.

"...Oh, God, I am your group therapist." Issei said with a small horror in his tone.

Rias giggled again in amusement, "Oh, calm down. You're doing great. I suggest you take a psychology major if you're considering going to college."

"Oh please, I would suck." Issei dryly rejected her proposal.

The two then laughed at the jabs they had thrown to each other. Caught in the moment, Rias ended up leaning her frame against Issei's in a fit of laughter. The action caught Issei off-guard - he could feel the softness of Rias' body against his muscles.

Their eyes met, and they realised how close their faces were from each other. The atmosphere in the bath, not to mention that they were currently as naked as they were born, caused Rias to appear enticing in Issei's eyes.

While the boy was in a trance, the girl seized the opportunity as her hand began to roam over his chiseled chest, trailing her fingers over the tough skin.

It did not take a minute for Rias' hands to start roaming lower, and suddenly, her arms were caught by Issei.

The boy closed his eyes and took a deep breath while biting his lip. "...I think you gotta stop now."

"...Shame." Rias would be lying if she said she was disappointed. Nonetheless, she still smiled, "Ever the faithful boyfriend, aren't you?"

Issei did not reply and simply smiled knowingly at her.

"That just makes me want you even more." Rias remarked as she inched her face closer towards Issei.

When Rias' lips were only a second away from making contact, the door to the bathroom slammed open.

Both teens turned around to see Tsubasa standing by the entrance, her face was not amused. Behind her were the others - Akeno, Koneko, Asia, Ravel and the three other ex-nuns.

"...Well, it was fun while it lasted." Rias remarked as she pressed herself against Issei again.

"Get off him!" Tsubasa barked as she marched towards the spring, jumping into the water while pulling Issei towards her towel-clad body.

"Oh, Tsubasa. Weren't you supposed to wash yourself before entering the spring?" Rias playfully chided.

"Shut up! Don't make me sic Rover on you!" Tsubasa threatened as she pulled him into her bosom with a furiously blushing frown.

"Um, Tsubasa?" Issei tried to call out to her that he could feel her curves pressed to his cheeks with only a piece of fabric separating them. Unfortunately, the girl was too focused on Rias to listen to him.

"Alright, alright, calm down. It's not like anything happened." Rias said placatingly.

Tsubasa simply pouted while keeping Issei in her hold.

"My, my, ufufu~ Didn't peg Tsubasa-chan as the clingy type." Akeno remarked amusedly as she made her way inside the bathroom.

The other girls that followed behind, sans the three ex-nuns, sported facial envy at both Tsubasa and Rias.

Tsubasa then glanced at Akeno, "I'm not clingy! I'm." Only by then she realised that she was practically hugging Issei. "...Fine, maybe I'm clingy, but so what?! I'm his girlfriend!"

"Devils don't care about monogamy~" Akeno reminded Tsubasa from the warm waters, sighing in relief. "In fact, the idea of affairs, cheating, and even cuckolding is our trade. Other times - kinks."

Tsubasa scowled at the Queen. She then turned around and stomped away, draggin Issei with her, leaving the bathroom while hearing a few snickers and giggles from Akeno and Rias.

"Tsubasa. Stop. I can walk. Let me go." Issei begged as he followed her in his awkward position - both of them still in the state of undress.

By the time Issei knew it, both he and Tsubasa had arrived in the latter's bedroom, with her throwing him on the bed, and Issei soon found himself looking at Tsubasa looming over his frame.

She was pouting, and glaring at him.

"Tsubasa. Don't give me that look." Issei skewed his lips at her face.

Her pouting face puffed even more.

"Alright, never mind, you look cuter this way." Issei smiled a bit as her face grew redder.

"Ise" Tsubasa deflated as she loomed over him, placing her hands astride his head.

"Uh" Issei suddenly found himself in a dangerous situation.

Tsubasa's face was still red despite not pouting.

"...Have you been wearing them around for the whole time?"

It was quite scandalous; skin tight black leotards and highleg black leather boots hugged and accented the curve on their bodies. It was very revealing and slightly arousing if Issei must be honest. Irina's belly was even exposed through a round hole cut out of her uniform.

Irina blinked at Issei's question and pointed at her attire, "You mean this? Yes, of course, we have. This is our standard, female exorcist combat suit." She said those words like the sky was blue.

"I Alright." Issei decided not to question it for the sake of his 'sanity'.

Silence returned between them, though it already grew awkward as Issei's gaze remained fixed on Irina.

"...Sorry." Issei called out to Irina.

"Hm? What for?" Irina asked.

"I can tell that you don't want this to happen."

Irina paused as her bubbly smile faltered.

"I was hoping you would get along with Xenovia," Irina replied as she brought out her Excalibur Mimic, her ribbon slithering from her hair and into her hand, extending into a katana.

Issei could not really reply against Irina's genuine face of sadness. She was sincere in her reply, he could tell, the kind of innocence that did not deserve to be caught in such a complex dilemma.

"If things were different, I probably would." Issei admitted as he slid his hands out his pockets.

"...What happened to you?" Irina asked. "You aren't usually like this."

"It's best you don't know, Iri." Issei shook his head. "You're definitely not ready for the truth."

Irina held back a grimace at the reply, but she eventually steeled herself as she brandished her Excalibur Mimic in a form of katana. Issei himself merely shifted his footing.

"...Are you not gonna bring out your Boosted Gear?" Irina asked with a raised brow.

"I want to see what you've got first." Issei flashed a confident smile. "I did not sit on my ass all those years you've been away, Iri."

"Heeh Let's have a look, then." Irina replied with a smirk. However, her smirk faltered a little when she saw a shimmering white aura shrouding around Issei.

"What? Come at me." Issei dared, beckoning her with an inviting flick of his hand. The female exorcist narrowed her eyes slightly at the taunt, before she decided to answer her childhood friend by charging at him.

Irina threw a diagonal swing, but her fist was caught before she found herself flying in the air, ground in sight before she crashed and rolled in the dust.

Irina coughed as she stood up, but she found her sword gone from her hand.

"So, how long have you been training with this thing?" Issei asked while waving Excalibur Mimic in his hand.

Irina looked dumbfounded upon finding herself disarmed. Her cheeks slowly grew red as she awkwardly chuckled.

"Um can I have that back?" Irina asked sheepishly.

"...Eh, no." Issei snickered as he looked at the katana-shaped Excalibur and swung it a little. If this sword could change shape, he wondered could he do that? He smiled a little knowing that he had a chance to mimic that.

Meanwhile, Yuuto charged at Xenovia, who calmly intercepted him with her Excalibur Destruction.

As the blunette opted to play defensive at first, she noticed the energy flowing from Yuuto's blade. "A demon sword? It's trying to absorb my sword's energy, however"

With a grunt, Xenovia jerked her blade against Yuuto's Holy Eraser, which shattered as soon as the steel blades clashed.

Then, with a click of his tongue, Yuuto leapt away from Xenovia's range and conjured another demon sword.

The two sword-wielders clashed, colliding steel clangoring the air again and again as the two struggled in a deadlock with Xenovia pushing him back.

"Give in, Devil. Your demon sword is no match to my Excalibur." Xenovia leaned forward, overwhelming Yuuto in terms of strength.

"Tsk!" Yuuto responded with a burst of power, doubling his effort to push her back. However, his demonic sword started to crack as the blade chipped to his dismay.

But before he could retreat, Xenovia knocked his blade out of his hand with a burst of strength and placed her sword on his neck.

Yuuto grimaced when found himself at her mercy.

"Hmph." Xenovia shook her head in disappointment. "You are too consumed by anger. Rage guides your sword too much that I can tell. If this is what you can offer, I doubt your heretic friend will be a challenge."

Hearing Issei's mentioning, Yuuto flashed a small smile.

"I'm not sure about that." Yuuto turned his eyes towards Issei's direction.

"Hm?" Xenovia followed his line of sight. She saw a shining blur zipping towards her, an extending line of something she could not distinguish.

On reflex, she blocked the attack, but the force of it lifted her off her feet as she flew under its mercy, wind resistance blowing past from behind until she crashed into the wall, the shockwave of the impact reverberating through her bones as she coughed in her bounce.

"Ack!?" Her spine was rattled, vision tersely blurred as she was pinned to the cratered wall. Arms struggling to push back the force.

"What do you know, I can do that."

Xenovia looked up, seeing Issei laughing while holding

"H-How are you wielding?!" Xenovia widened her eyes upon seeing the heretic holding Excalibur Mimic. What struck her was the extended blade of the holy sword, one stretched to ridiculous length with the tip fighting to push through the other holy blade.

"...My word." Griselda could barely believe her eyes.

"Fascinating, I did not know the current Red Dragon Emperor possesses the natural quality to wield a holy sword." Valper commented with visual interest.

"Hah, this is fun!" Issei flashes a smirk.

Before Xenovia could react, the sword swiftly slithered tightly around her weapon like a serpent before Issei yanked with a step back.

"What?!" Xenovia shouted as she barely managed to secure her hold on the hilt.

The two were caught in a tug of war.

Xenovia was steadily losing ground, she struggled but she could not stop her feet from sliding towards Issei with heavy friction beneath her heels.

"How about this?"

Xenovia yelped when she was pulled towards Issei as the blade shrunk its length, and Issei threw her overhead as she tumbled behind him.

"Xenovia!" Irina ran towards Xenovia and helped her up.

Xenovia groaned as Irina held her up by the shoulder. She looked at the boy, to see him holding both of their Excaliburs, Issei lifting and lowering the bigger Excalibur to test its weight.

It was quite a weird one, a huge sword that ended in three tips, the blade was colored dark rust brown with an axe-like crossguard and a chainlike handle. The handle was long enough to be held by three hands.

"Huh, lighter than it looks." Issei remarked as he swung Excalibur Destruction a little at the two girls' direction.

It was a light swing, a harmless one. Yet a radiant yellow wave of energy flared from the Holy Sword in reaction and flew towards the girls from that simple harmless test.

"Waaah!" Irina shouted as she and Xenovia leapt aside, the first frantically holding her head while the latter rolled over her shoulder as the wave of energy struck the wall and blasted a very large hole in the building.

"Oh, shit!" Issei panicked when the explosion rang the air. "Irina! You alright!?"

The girls looked up at Issei and then at the destruction behind them. They stared at the destroyed wall, at the smoke and dust rising from the hole. Glares shot towards Issei, one teary while the other was laced with envy.

"His affinity with the Holy Swords far exceeds even Xenovia's! My word, his potential might be on par, if not surmounting, even Vasco's!" Valper remarked with excitement at the display.

Griselda remained silent, but she could not help but agree with Valper's statement.

"Issei! I don't know if you know this, but holy swords aren't toys!" Irina shouted at him with a pout and teary eyes.

"Sorry!" Issei shouted back. "That one came out on its own! But seriously, these things are kind of fun, though!"

Meanwhile, Yuuto looked at Issei shocked. He walked up to him, staring at the two swords in his hands.

The two of the seven weapons responsible for his misery, for the demise of his comrades, were right in the hands of his friend. He could still remember their screams as their voices gradually died in the gas as he ran away from that accursed building.

"Ise" Yuuto began. "Mind putting them on the ground?"

Issei turned to Yuuto. He looked at his hand, seeing a broad sword tightly gripped in his fingers.

"Err Why?" Issei asked as he looked at his eyes.

They were sharp, eyes full of rage. It was the first time Issei saw him this wrathful. He was way angrier than prior in the meeting room.

"I kind of want to keep them, though."

Issei showed Excalibur Mimic to Yuuto as the sword's shape into an arrow, a shield, a great sword, and then returned into a katana.

"Nooooo! You can't! It's Vatican propertyyyy!" Irina loudly begged Issei not to keep their weapons.

Issei turned to glance at his childhood friend. She was giving him the equivalent of the puppy eyes and pouting lips. He found her expression quite adorable.

However, Yuuto's voice snapped him out of his musing.

"Ise, I won't ask again, put those swords on the ground, please." The knight's grip on his sword became even tighter.

"Uh" Issei looked at Yuuto. "Wait, are you giving me an ultimatum?" Issei asked.

Yuuto did not answer, but his eyes spoke enough.

However, a blade laid on Yuuto's throat. Griselda appeared behind him, her sword held in a reverse grip as she stared down on the Knight.

Issei blinked a few times as Griselda's eyes were shaded with hostility.

"I believe the match is now concluded, Mr. Kiba." Griselda calmly announced as Yuuto slowly lowered his gaze at the holy steel burning his skin on contact, smoke already rising from his flesh. "I would like to sincerely remind you not to make any more mistakes. Your sudden presence has burdened your friend enough. Asking for more would be crossing the line, am I correct?"

Yuuto found himself unable to move even an inch. He could feel the sheer presence of Griselda's blade against his skin - there was no mistake, the sword that the nun was holding was also one of Excalibur fragments. In the end, all he could do was send a sideway glare at Griselda's direction.

"In the end, your friend carried you to victory on his own. I do not know why you hold hatred towards us, but I believe your little crusade shall end here."

Yuuto closed his eyes tightly as he forced himself to calm down. As soon as the demon sword disappeared, Griselda also removed her blade from Yuuto's jugular and turned to tend her charges.

"You cooled down?" Issei asked Yuuto.

"...I am alright."

"You weren't a minute ago, buddy." Issei waved Excalibur Destruction in his face. "I am thinking of keeping these. They're very fun swords."

Yuuto wasn't sure how to react to that statement. Not everyone could wield the Holy Swords and hearing it from Issei's mouth made the sacred weapons look cheap.

"I prefer that you return those weapons, Sir Issei."

Griselda interjected. She approached Issei with Irina and Xenovia behind her.

"You sure?" Issei asked as he looked at the swords.

"Yes. Even if you are indeed more compatible with them than my charges they are still properties of the Vatican."

Issei sighed as he looked at the weapons in his hands. He looked at them for a moment. It was the first time he got the feeling that he was a magic swordsman. Not a samurai, though, but it was close.

"Awww damn it." Issei sighed when he looked at Irina. Xenovia was scowling at him so he did not pay her mind. Irina was looking at him with hopeful eyes.

"...Farewell, awesome magic swords." Issei grumbled a little as he handed them to Griselda.

The nun nodded in thanks and she took the weapons. Irina smiled as Griselda returned their weapons to them.

"I thank you for your selflessness. As for you, young Knight, I believe your master needs to speak with you."

Yuuto blinked, and at the same time, he also noticed a familiar presence arriving at the scene. He turned to see Rias and Akeno standing at the edge of the lot, their faces were stoic, unamused.

The knight turned to the exorcists, "I thought you agreed not to tell-!"

"They didn't."

Yuuto turned to Issei.

"Yeah, I kind of ratted you out. I asked them to let you go because I'll take care of it myself. I texted Rias before we left the hotel."

Yuuto looked at Issei as if he had been betrayed.

"Don't give me that face. I never agreed with you coming here." Issei pursed his lips at his reaction.

The Knight could not find argument against that but he still felt betrayed.

"Yuuto."

The boys' attention was then brought to the Kuoh Great Ladies approaching them.

When Rias glared at her Knight, the said Knight scowled as he turned away, refusing to make eye contact.

"...Are you done with your furtive mission?" Rias queried with an authoritative tone.

In return, Yuuto simply hung his head low. Akeno then approached to escort Yuuto away, pulling him by the arm with a face of disapproval.

"My deepest apologies for my knight's unbecoming behaviour. I will see to reprimand him for his actions."

Valper replied with a small, amused smile, "Your apology is unnecessary, Lady Gremory. I find his surprising visit to be a boon. He has helped uncover hidden truths of your human friend here."

Rias noticed that Valper's bespectacled eyes glanced at Issei, who was holding Excalibur Mimic in his hand, shifting it in his hand before handing it to Irina. The girl was pouting at Issei as she shapeshifted the sword into an object which Issei replicated when she handed it over to him with ease.

Rias looked at him dumbfounded for a second before she quickly resumed her serious face.

"I believe I can see what you mean. Did Yuuto interrupt anything important?"

Valper softly chuckled while waving his hand, "No, no, we haven't even begun a discussion. You are free to leave as you will."

Rias nodded, "I see. Very well, we shall leave you alone with your work. Have a good day."

The redhead then regarded Issei for a few seconds before smiling at him and gave a nod, which Issei returned in kind. Akeno threw Issei a flirtatious wink as Yuuto sent Issei one last apologetic look when the teleportation circle appeared beneath their feet and whisked the devils away in a flash of crimson light.

"Seriously, it took me two years to master my Excalibur!" Irina was complaining to Issei as she competed with him using Excalibur Mimic to test the limits of his affinity with the Holy Sword. Xenovia's stoic face bore a greater frown than before, soured that the heretic proved himself superior to her, even in affinity with the holy elements.

Valper coughed as he addressed the three teens.

"I believe it is time we return."

"Yuuto, what on earth were you thinking?"

Yuuto stood before Rias at her desk. Akeno was beside her, sharing her frown at his insubordinate actions.

"We have agreed that we will not involve ourselves in their problems, with Ise as an exception due to his status. What you did earlier could have jeopardized the already-fragile peace we have with the church."

Yuuto did not give another word as Rias sighed.

"...Very well. I regret having to do this, but I have made my choice. Yuuto, from this moment, I am putting you on probation."

Finally, Yuuto looked up with wide eyes at his master's declaration.

Rias simply maintained her calm expression before her Knight could have protested, "Don't give me that face, Yuuto. You brought this upon yourself. I know what you are going through, but this is not how you should behave. You forced Issei to consolidate the exorcists out of his way."

The master and her knight fell into a stare-off, none of them was willing to back down for a good minute.

He had been waiting for years until he could exact his vengeance and obtained the justice he and his fallen comrades so rightfully deserved. However, at the same time, he could not go against Rias' orders, especially when Akeno stood beside her in support.

Eventually, Yuuto hung his head low before he left the room without a word, leaving Rias and Akeno alone. As soon as the knight had disappeared by the door, the heiress leaned back on her chair and heaved a deep sigh.

"...I should've helped Yuuto much earlier." Rias sighed with a tinge of regret.

Akeno simply placed her hand comfortingly on Rias' shoulder, "Perhaps, but you have done enough. Yuuto still cares about the family he has made, albeit his mental state is not well at the moment. It is best that he takes the time to sort his feelings out himself."

"Yes, perhaps so"

But Akeno's words did not help erase her sense of helplessness.

oXo

Yuuto left the school and into Kuoh, deep in thought as the sun went quite high into the noon.

He was at a crossroad before him, two choices now tearing him apart. To abandon the peerage and pursue his vengeance or fight against the rising surge of anger inside and remain by Rias' side and both choices were pulling him with equal strength.

"Psst. Hey, over here."

Yuuto paused. He looked at the alley beside him, seeing the familiar form of a certain tiny individual.

"...Coach Black?"

"'Sup, pretty boy. Didn't know you can make that kind of face." The creature greeted with a smirk. The creature was hiding behind a trash can

"Are you" Yuuto pointed at the trash can. The lid was open and he could see trails of leftovers and crumbs on Black's lips.

"Shush, I can stomach it. I am stockpiling my extra lives with protein so don't judge me, but that's not why I'm here for." Black waved out.

For a moment, Yuuto's internal discord was gone. He found himself smiling in amusement at Black's comical scene.

"Anyways, I've been tailing the kid. Saw you going full on edgelord there. Eavesdropped a little and found you have quite a sad backstory. Guess you didn't get that face for free after all, hehe." Black remarked.

Yuuto's amusement went to smoke in an instant.

"Anyways, as for why I'm here I've decided to give you something." Black smirked as he turned around and held up a Katana

Yuuto squinted his eyes. "Is that a?"

"Yep, a genuine demon sword." Black smiled. "You want it? I got it for cheap. Cuts good if I say so myself."

Yuuto suddenly found his proposition extremely shady. He wondered if this was like being lured by a drug dealer or something.

"...Black what's the catch?" Yuuto asked, narrowing his eyes at the creature.

"Well, it is cursed, obviously." Black shrugged. "But that's not the point. It is a good sword, better than anything you can make, but it has one downside"

"I knew it."

"Don't give me that face. I tried giving it to the kid, but it turns out, the thing is kind of possessed by something."

"...And why can you hold it?" Yuuto pointed out.

"The dragon guessed it's because I'm unique. This me you're seeing here is holding over one hundred thousand lives, so I think it's because of that."

Yuuto could not find an argument against that kind of logic when he thought about it. There isn't a cursed sword designed to possess a hundred thousand blacks.

"Anyways, the point is you're piss-ass pathetic right now, got your ass handed to you only for the kid to save it."

Yuuto scowled at Black.

"...But, if you want to do what you came here to do, then there's one choice." Black smiled.

"And that is...?"

"Test your might, pretty boy." Black answered. "If you can handle this sword, well I think you can show me I don't have to look out after you when you go rogue."

Yuuto raised a brow as he recalled the bout He barely threw a few strikes in and he was already overwhelmed by Xenovia. He admitted that he was weak right now he clenched his fists as he walked over to Black.

"...That's not all, is it, coach?" Yuuto asked as he looked at the katana.

"Heh, you got me. I kind of wanna figure out what's the downside of this thing. Like I said, I bought it for the kid for cheap. I want to see it in action."

"...And if I somehow lose to this sword?" Yuuto asked as he stared at the weapon.

Something about it was different than the demon swords he saw before. There was a unique ambience around it.

"I'll beat you up and yank it from your hands. Even tear both of your motherfucking arms off if I have to." Black stated the obvious. "I am literally the natural enemy of swordsmen everywhere, pretty boy. So, what do you think? You ready to bet your future on this?"

Yuuto's eyes trailed down to the demonic katana in Black's hands. When he took a better look, the sword oozed a malicious aura that made the products of his Sword Birth defective in comparison.

In order to fulfill his life-time crusade, Yuuto needed power; but could he handle the power necessary? Was it even worth it to begin with?

His mind trailed to his fallen comrades. The last word he remembered was them telling him to live

He decided.

"Black." Yuuto made his resolve. "Are you going to tell anyone about what I'm about to do?"

Black snickered for a moment.

"Well, what do you offer to keep my mouth shut?"

Yuuto was about to say something, but he could not think of anything that he could offer to the creature before him. Seeing his contemplating expression, Black snorted.

"...Eh, I'll hold you to that favor then. But if you're fine after touching the sword... Well, I'll always keep an eye on you. And also be sure to feed me. I want to eat." Black demanded.

"...That, I think I can handle." Yuuto smiled a little. "But.. why are you doing this? Why are you"

Black simply stared at Yuuto for a few seconds before shrugging, "...Meh, I was kind of bored. As simple as that. Could use some good entertainment around here. You seem to fit the bill, Knight Edgelord."

Yuuto did not expect the reply, but he snorted and shook his head in amusement nonetheless, "Somehow I'm not surprised at your reason for helping me"

"Good. Also, I was looking for the Holy Swords when I heard about it. Frankly, I want something to draw attention."

"...Why do you need me for that?" Yuuto realized something.

Why did Black need someone like him? Like Black once said, he was basically everywhere. He had millions of lives the last time he revealed.

"Trust me when I say I'm trying, but I am definitely trying." Black remarked. "Been looking everywhere. Tried looking for them to hoard their magic swords to myself, but can't seem to find them. Got annoyed, so I decided to send out more of mes. Then I realized after a day of searching that I can't find that one sweet spot for some reason Don't know why, though. I think I'm being watched out for, which is fucking shady."

"Shadier than you getting me to use a dangerous demon sword?"

"Not important, but yeah, that's also why I'm here. Need that one little outside factor to break the status quo and sow a little chaos. So yeah, you're working with me for a while. How's that sound to you? You can surprise everyone you know if you uncover this little mystery."

Yuuto regarded Black's words for a few moments with closed eyes. Then, Black saw the steel in the Knight's eyes as he reached out and firmly grabbed the sheathed katana.

The creature grinned as Yuuto clutched the sword in his hands, "Aye, that's my boy."

Yuuto braced himself for any sudden backlash as the ominous aura reached out to him on contact.

For those who have been wondering; no, One-Punch DxD: Legacy is not abandoned, my muses are simply focused on this work and others. I can't guarantee when the Legacy will be updated, but it will be updated. I can promise you guys that.