DxDanmachi: Voyager of Worlds Ability

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After morning classes, Issei and the others gathered at the Occult Research Club, where Irina and Xenovia were already waiting, sitting opposite Rias and Akeno.

He ignored their stares and, after patting Yuuto reassuringly on the shoulder—who seemed to be radiating anger—gestured for Issei and Asia to join him. They quickly moved to stand behind him.

With everyone assembled, the atmosphere grew tense.

"Now that we're all here, perhaps you could explain the purpose of your visit?" Rias asked, her voice taking on a more formal tone.

Irina and Xenovia, who had been discreetly observing Mika, shifted their attention to Rias.

Irina stood up and addressed them. "Recently—the Holy Sword Excalibur was stolen from three separate locations: the Vatican—the Headquarters of the Catholic Church, the Protestant Church, and the Eastern Orthodox Church."

"So, Excalibur was stolen…" Mika said with a smile, patting Yuuto on the shoulder. Yuuto, hearing the news, his earlier anger replaced by surprise, calmed down slightly.

"How could a single sword be stolen from three different locations?" Issei asked, confused.

"That's because there isn't just one Excalibur," Mika explained.

"My peerage includes some new Devils," Rias said, turning to Irina and Xenovia.

"Perhaps, as we continue our discussion, you could explain the situation regarding Excalibur?"

They nodded in agreement.

"Issei, Excalibur was broken during the ancient war," Irina explained. "And now…it's like this."

Xenovia unfurled the cloth-wrapped greatsword on her back and placed it on the table. As she unwrapped it, a wave of power, a chilling aura, washed over Issei, Asia, Yuuto, and Koneko.

Mika, however, remained unfazed. He was no longer vulnerable to Holy Swords.

"During the Ancient war—Excalibur shattered into fragments. Later, humans recovered the pieces and, using alchemy, forged seven new Holy Swords, each with different abilities."

"This one, under my care—is Excalibur Destruction, wielded by the Catholic Church," Xenovia explained calmly.

As Irina and Xenovia explained the situation, Issei and Asia quickly learned about the Holy Swords.

Irina then drew her own Holy Sword, a rope-like object that transformed into a katana as she unsheathed it. "This is my Holy Sword—Excalibur Mimic. It can change its shape, making it easy to carry around."

"And this one is wielded by the Protestant Church."

"That's the current state of Excalibur: seven separate swords, each with unique abilities. It's hard to imagine how powerful the original sword must have been." Irina's eyes sparkled with awe as she clasped her hands together.

"Irina—there's no need to explain the abilities of the Holy Swords to Devils," Xenovia said, trying to stop her.

Irina waved her hand dismissively. "It doesn't matter. After all, that Devil already knows about Excalibur Mimic's abilities."

"—Indeed," Xenovia admitted grudgingly.

Akeno and Koneko, who hadn't been present during Mika's earlier encounter with the Holy Sword wielders, looked at him curiously.

"So you've already met?" Akeno asked with a smile.

"It was a coincidence. That Holy Sword wielder—Irina, seems to be Issei's childhood friend. She visited him last night," Mika explained casually.

"I see…" Akeno nodded. Although Mika hadn't elaborated, she suspected they had clashed.

And since they were all sitting here now, having a peaceful conversation, Mika must have been the victor.

After all, Rias wouldn't tolerate anyone harming a member of her peerage, especially—Mika. She glanced at Rias, whose expression remained neutral, and smiled inwardly.

"So, what does the theft of the Holy Swords have to do with Kuoh Town?" Rias asked, after the explanation about Excalibur. "Don't tell me the thief is hiding here?"

"....."

"....."

Seeing their silence, Rias sighed. Her worst fears were confirmed.

"Originally, the seven Holy Swords were divided between the three factions: two each for the Vatican, the Protestant Church, and the Eastern Orthodox Church, with the seventh lost during the Great War. Each faction has now lost one sword. And according to our tracking, the thief fled…here, to Kuoh Town," Xenovia explained.

"And the thief? Who is it?" Rias pressed.

"A Grigori," Irina replied.

"A Fallen Angel?"

"Yes. And based on our investigation, the mastermind behind this incident is likely Kokabiel, one of the Fallen Angel Cadres."

"Kokabiel…" Rias's headache intensified.

"A Fallen Angel Cadre who survived the ancient war—and a Biblical figure, no less…" The thought of a conflict between the Church and the Fallen Angels erupting in Kuoh Town filled her with dread.

'Could a new war between the Three Factions begin here?'

She wondered if they had come looking for her help.

However, Xenovia's next words dispelled that notion. "We're here to request that the Devils of this town refrain from interfering in our—retrieval of the Holy Swords from the Fallen Angels."

....

"So, you're asking us to stay out of it?" Rias instantly understood, then realized the implications.

"You suspect we might be colluding with the Fallen Angels, using the Holy Swords as an excuse to start a conflict?"

"Headquarters believes it's a possibility," Xenovia replied impassively.

They had suspected as much and had initially intended to accuse Rias directly. However, after witnessing Mika's power, they had decided on a more—diplomatic approach.

It wasn't that they were afraid of him; they simply didn't want to risk the Holy Swords falling into the Fallen Angels' hands due to a conflict with the Devils.

"Our superiors don't trust Devils or Fallen Angels. Eliminating the Holy Swords would benefit both of you. Therefore, an alliance between you wouldn't be surprising. Hence, our visit."

"—My superiors instructed us to inform you that any cooperation with Kokabiel, even temporary, will be met with—extreme prejudice. Even if you are a Satan's sister."

Rias now understood their concerns. While she was outraged by their accusations and their demands that she stay out of their affairs—she couldn't ignore the potential consequences.

"Since you know I'm a Satan's sister, you must be acting on orders from someone of considerable authority. Therefore—I'll be blunt. I will not cooperate with the Fallen Angels. I swear on my name and honor as a Gremory, I will not betray my brother."

While she resented their demands, she had no desire to be dragged into a conflict that could reignite the war between the Three Factions.

"That's all we needed to hear," Xenovia said.

"We're here to inform you that Kokabiel has infiltrated this town with three Holy Swords. We don't want any—unforeseen complications."

"As for assistance—we can't accept it. Any alliance with the Church, even temporary, could disrupt the balance of power between the Three Factions, especially given your status."

Rias nodded.

As the Devil responsible for Kuoh Town—she couldn't act recklessly. While she would have loved to exploit this situation and cause trouble for the Church and the Fallen Angels, her position demanded restraint.

She sighed inwardly, suppressing her frustration, then turned to Xenovia and Irina, her curiosity piqued.

Even if she couldn't intervene directly, she still needed information.

"What about the Eastern Orthodox Church? Are they sending anyone?"

"They've chosen not to participate. They're likely focused on protecting their remaining Holy Sword, assuming we'll fail to retrieve the stolen ones," Xenovia replied.

"So it's just the two of you? You intend to confront a Fallen Angel Cadre and retrieve the stolen Holy Swords alone? That's suicide!"

"That is our mission," Irina said, her voice firm.

"As is mine," Xenovia added. "Though I'd prefer not to die."

"You came here prepared to die? Your faith is—"

"Don't mock our faith, Rias Gremory," Irina said, her voice sharp.

"Besides, the Church has decided that if we can't retrieve the stolen Holy Swords, we are ordered to destroy them. Our mission is to prevent them from falling into the Fallen Angels' hands. We're prepared to die for that cause. After all, the only thing that can destroy a Holy Sword is another Holy Sword."

Issei, Asia, Yuuto, and Koneko, listening to their conversation, were awed by their unwavering conviction.

Even Mika couldn't help but admire their dedication.

To sacrifice oneself for one's faith was truly a testament to their unwavering belief.

"Are you certain the two of you can handle this?" Rias asked.

"Of course. I'm not planning to throw my life away needlessly," Xenovia replied confidently.

"You're remarkably confident. Do you have some kind of—secret weapon?"

"You can think what you like."

"...."

"…." They stared at each other, the conversation at a standstill. Just as Xenovia and Irina were about to leave—Mika spoke.

"I understand your position, but I believe this situation is more complicated than it appears."

Xenovia and Irina tensed. They hadn't forgotten their earlier encounter with Mika. His power was…unsettling.

Akeno, hearing his voice, smiled and stood up, offering him her seat, then poured him a cup of tea before returning to Rias's side.

"What do you mean, Mika?" Rias asked, sensing his concern. This situation could easily escalate into a war between the Three Factions, an outcome she wanted to avoid at all costs.

"Have you considered why Kokabiel chose to hide in Kuoh Town? What makes this city different from any other?"

"This city—is under the protection of Rias Gremory, a Satan's sister."

"As a Fallen Angel Cadre, Kokabiel knows this. Yet, he's still here."

"Doesn't that suggest he's targeting you—Rias?"

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