A.N - Hey guys. Sorry for the late release. I have some RL stuff needed to take care of and had no time to type the chapter. Anyway, here's a new chapter for you guys.
Jose19 - I don't know about you, but as I've watched Nanoha series, and let me tell you, don't mess with the group. Seriously, Nanoha has a bombardment magic that could literally wipe a part of a city off the map, and that was when she's 9 years old. Hayate have magic capable of wiping out cities. And don't forget that when the Tome of The Sky was still the Book of Darkness, it wiped out 2 worlds in 2 different incidents. And lastly about Issei, I have something planned for him later in the story, so just hang in there.
P.S. I do not own both MSLN and HS DxD
Later that evening, when Issei came back to his house, he was greeted by Raynare, and looked like she got something to talk with him.
"Raynare-san, what's up?"
"There's something I need to tell you. Can we talk now?" Raynare asked in a serious tone.
"Sure. What do you have in mind?"
"Well, according to some of Kokabiel's followers, it seems that he wasn't that sadistic at all to what we know actually. He cares for his fellow fallen, and only had that sadistic streak whenever he punished them. I remember that Kokabiel's mood went south about nine years ago. Even Lord Azazel don't know why, and whenever he asked, Kokabiel just lashed at him. I think that something happened that year causing him to be like that. I think you should know that," Raynare said as she recalled what Azazel told her about his investigation concerning Kokabiel.
"...I see. Nine years ago, huh?" Issei pondered a bit.
"Um, Issei-san?"
"Huh? Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about my past, that's all. Anyway, thanks for the info, though I don't know if it helps with the current incident. Thanks, by the way," Issei said as he patted Raynare's shoulder as he went inside his house.
The next day, Issei told Vivio and Asia that he won't be going to school today. As both of them asked, he said that he wanted to investigate the stolen swords' whereabouts, which they agreed. As he began his investigation, he knew that he needed the church duo's agreement and searched for them. When he entered the neighbouring district, he noticed Koneko and Saji following him just a few meters away.
"What are you two doing here?" Issei asked after he stopped and turned at the two.
While Saji crossed his arms and didn't look at him, Koneko, with her emotionless face stared at him before saying, "...Helping Kiba."
Raising an eyebrow, he looked at the petite Rook before he sighed and looked at Sona's sole male Pawn, irritating Saji.
"Ugh, fine. When I heard that Kaichou was targeted by the Stray Exorcist Freed, I want to get back at him. I only help because of this," Saji said.
Nodding, Issei with the duo then looked for the church agents around the area. After a while, thinking that they're not around, heard a familiar voice from the park area.
"Please show mercy and give a kind hand to the needy," said the voice, sounding like Irina.
As they arrived at the park, Issei could only face-palmed while Koneko and Saji looked on surprised at the two church agents kneeling with a bowl on their hands.
After a while, Irina lamented, "How can this be? Why aren't they helping us? Is this because they're heretics? We even have no money to buy bread..."
"This is all your fault! Why did you spent all of the money to buy that fake painting anyway?" Xenovia bashed at Irina.
"It's not a fake! It has a saint painted on it. Even the man who sold it said so."
"Then which saint is it? Because I'm positively sure that I don't recognize him."
"Umm... Saint Peter?"
"There's no way that's Saint Peter! Quit messing around!"
"No, it really is him."
"Oh, God. Is this another trial for me? Why did you make this girl as my partner?"
Seeing their interactions, the three just couldn't believe that they were conned of their money just like that, but Issei remembered that Irina can be a bit air-headed and naive at times. He could only shook his head in disbelief. Before the two could continue arguing, he stepped forward to the two.
"Hey," he said as the two noticed his presence before their stomach grumbled out of hunger. Hearing that, Issei could only sigh while his companions sweat-dropped at what transpired.
"Come on. I wanted to have a talk with you two. While we're at it, let's go get something to eat," Issei said as the two exorcists nodded in agreement.
Twenty minutes later, at a restaurant, Issei could only sweat-dropped at the amount of food the two were eating right in front of him. He already knew that Koneko could be a glutton sometimes, but the amount they're eating could bring the petite girl a run for her money. After another two more dishes, the two exorcists sigh in content.
"Ah, that's what I need," Xenovia said, calming a bit while sipping her drink.
"Thank you very much, Issei," Irina said before she clutched her cross. "Oh, God. Please give your blessings to this three for helping use. Amen," she prayed. When she noticed both Koneko and Saji winced and clutching their head, Irina smiled sheepishly while apologizing to the two devils.
After a while, Issei then leaned forward to begin their little meeting.
"I know from how you looked at them yesterday that you don't want the devils to join this search of yours concerning the Excaliburs. Which in my opinion, they have the right to do so," Issei said as if berating Xenovia, who was pursing her lips.
"That's right, Xenovia. As the Stray Exorcist used it upon the devils, they have the right to meddle with this affair and should be helping us," Irina joined the talk.
"Irina, you should remember. The orders explicitly told us that we can't have the devils aid us in the mission. Even when they were somehow involved. I can't disobey that order," Xenovia said as she huffed at Irina.
Looking at the exchange, Issei knew that it will be difficult to ask Xenovia to reason with him, but then he got an idea.
"How about a third, neutral party?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" Xenovia asked while glaring at Issei.
"Well, my family aren't actually affiliate with the devils nor the fallen. In fact, it was just coincidence that they're the first supernatural factions that we encountered. As the matter concerns the safety of Kuoh, I was there as a neutral party in the meeting. Only if you haven't blabbered about Asia-san's situation, I think that I might help you without any compensation," Issei said as Koneko and Saji tensed waiting to see the exorcists reaction to it.
After exchanging glances between each other, Xenovia sighed before replying, "I believe it's for the best. But what about those two devils here?"
"They coincidentally showed up at where I am and coincidentally be helping me looking for the Excaliburs, that's all," Issei said, poker faced.
After glaring at each other for a while, Xenovia shrugged and asked, "So, what's the compensation? I know that magicians tend to have conditions to have their aid."
"I just wanted one of the Excaliburs to destroy it," Issei nonchalantly said before Xenovia glared at him angrily.
"You want to do what now?"
"Hey, you're the one said that you don't want the swords to be left at the fallen's hands and will destroy if deemed necessary, so it won't be a problem if one Excalibur is destroyed by a friend of mine," Issei said calmly before Xenovia begrudgingly agreed to the remark.
"I guess I can have you one of the Excaliburs then, but mark my words. If you ever use it for any other reasons than what you said, the church will send more agents to get the sword from your hands."
"That's settles it then. Wait up, I'll call the said friend now," Issei said as he dialed Kiba's number and asked him to meet him at the restaurant.
Few minutes later, Kiba arrived and had a grim look when he saw the two exorcists.
"So, what do you want me here, Takamachi-san?"
"Relax, Kiba-san. They agree to have one of the Excaliburs to be destroyed by you actually, so don't give them that look," Issei said as Kiba sat beside him.
"...I see. Anyways, if it can bring closure to my past, then I guess I will do so," Kiba said which the two agents heard it.
"Closure? Can we hear what's it about?" Irina asked curiously at Kiba.
After seeing Issei nodded to go ahead, Kiba told his past to everyone there. Koneko, being of Rias' peerage, knew some of the Knight's past and looked at him with a sad look at her face. Saji, hearing the story, started bawling at the cruel fate Kiba gotten. Xenovia and Irina, after hearing the story, could not believe that the reports that they saw was different from what they heard now.
"Now I see why you've got such hatred towards Holy Swords. I never guessed it," Irina said as she wiped away some tears.
"The Holy-Sword Project. It was actually one of the most controversial project that the Vatican approved before they knew what the real reason of the experiment was. I believe that the project was helmed by Valper Galilei, who got away and branded as a heretic for the blasphemous experiments that he did with the project," Xenovia recalled the project's report.
"Valper... Galilei... So I have a name to have my revenge then," Kiba said darkly, causing Issei to look at him disapprovingly.
"Right, so do you approve of the reason?" Issei asked the church duo.
"*sigh* Very well, I will consider this a mutual aid between us. So, do you have a lead that can get us to the Excaliburs?" Xenovai asked which Issei grinned.
"Thought you never ask."
Meanwhile, at the Takamachi residence, as Nanoha looked at any sign of battle prior to the incident, she got a phone call from the least expected person.
"Hello, Miyuki-nee. Everything fine there?"
〈Actually, Okaa-san and Otou-san suddenly had a headache at the same time just now.〉
"What? Are they okay? Do you need me to go back there?"
〈There's no need. They're fine now, but they want to talk to you. Hold on for a sec,〉 Miyuki said before handing her phone to her mother.
〈Nanoha, is Ise there?〉 Momoko asked.
"No, Okaa-san. He went out as he got a case at the moment. Why do you ask?"
〈Actually, when both me and your father got the headache, we remembered something about that shooting incident.〉
"Wait, you remember something new?"
〈Yes. Apparently, the culprit was actually not human at all.〉
"You mean, like a devil?" Nanoha asked as she pieced everything together.
〈Yes, and when he went on a rampage, he injured both Satoshi and Akane gravely before your father able to subdue him. When he did, a few people, who I believed to be hunting the devil came and destroy him. After that, they began use magic and alter our memory of the incident.〉
"But how did you remember this now?"
〈Perhaps because of what happened when your younger as we had experienced those things that the magic's hold on us is weak. I wonder what he would think that his parents were killed by something not human,〉 Momoko said in grief.
"I'm sure that he will understand. Besides, he's stronger than he looks, Okaa-san. Anyway, thanks for the info. I will call you later when I have the time. Good bye."
〈Good bye, Nanoha. I hope nothing bad happen with you kids there, but I don't think it is that simple,〉 Momoko said before she hung up.
"*sigh* A devil, huh? I think I remember that stray devils sometimes appear around the world, and to think it showed up at Uminari. I hope I just paranoid," Nanoha said as she thought about what happened that day.
An hour later, courtesy of Issei's 'Wide Area Search', they were now standing at an abandoned warehouse at the other side of the city.
"To think that a magician able to locate the Excaliburs so easily," Xenovia muttered in disbelief.
"It can't be helped, Xenovia. He had encountered the swords and had some time with ours to know the holy energy emitted by them. Though that begs the question. Why are they here?" Irina asked as she tilted her head.
Sensing danger inside, Issei immediately called Vivio telepathically.
|Vivio?|
|Yes, Onii-chan? Oh, yeah. It seems that Sitri-kaichou ordered the school to be close by tomorrow for further notice for 'renovation'. It seems she thinks that trouble will be heading towards the school.|
|Thanks for the info, but I need you for something else. I want you to contact Sona-san and Rias-san and tell them where we are currently at.|
|Onii-chan, are you going to do something troublesome?|
|Sadly, yes. I think I'm gonna trigger a trap.|
|Mou, Onii-chan is reckless sometimes. I will tell them and I will be coming too.|
After he ended his link, he began set up Boosted Gear, causing the others to follow preparing for any trouble.
"Well, here we go then. Stay sharp, everyone," Issei said as he opened the door into the warehouse, while he silently 'Boost".
As they silently walked through the pathway, Issei felt unease with the situation.
|Ddraig, can you feel any presence inside?|
|[I can sense one human inside, probably that demented Stray Exorcist, but somehow I feel that the area around here is distorted. It was a good thing you started 'Boosting' before going inside, Aibou.]|
As they went to the center of the warehouse, they heard a clap a few meters from them.
"Bravo, bravo. How the hell did you shitty devils notice the Excaliburs here?" asked a voice near the source of the clap. It was the voice that Issei knew very well.
"Freed Selzan. Should've known you would be here," Issei said as he tensed up, ready to fight.
At his words, the group tensed up, especially Xenovia as she brandished her weapon at Freed.
"Freed Selzan, for the sins and crimes you've committed, in the name of The Holy Father, I will purge you and your life for your sins."
"Bla, bla, bla. You and your ramblings about God. I just want to kill something, simple as that, and the target of my desires are those shitty devils and the devil-lovers. Though, with this many people around, I don't think I can deal with everyone," Freed said as he shrugged casually.
Issei, sensing something off, looked around the area. There are many boxes and crates lying around randomly and stacked, as if hiding something. Knew it was a trap, he then whispered to everyone.
"Guys, when he sprang the trap, Kiba and Xenovia will go and deal with Freed. Irina, Koneko, try to move so that we will circle around at every direction. Saji, get in the middle of the group as your 'Absorption Line' would be useful for any stragglers coming in. I wish that we won't need to kill, but since the enemies will, we got no choice but to minimize the damage, got it?" he whispered as everyone nodded.
"Okay, I will use 'Transfer' at everyone the moment we begin."
"Wait, I thought 'Transfer' could only be used at one person at a time?" Xenovia asked.
"Well, with my magic, I could use it on multiple targets. Get ready," Issei said as he looked at Freed who was laughing maniacally.
"Anyway, how about I bring in some helpers with this situation?"
As Freed said that, the boxes and crates exploded, revealing tens of Stray Exorcists and Fallen Angels, ready to slaughter the group. As they appear, Issei, who have 'Boosted' ten times, began using his sacred device.
"Transfer!"
[Area Transfer!]
Suddenly, green magic circles appeared underneath everyone and they felt the surge of energy coming into them. Knowing what to do, both Kiba and Xenovia dashed towards Freed while the rest take on the enemies.
Freed, using Rapidly, slashed at the duo in rapid succession, but Kiba, used to parrying strong blows made it each attack didn't hit any of them while Xenovia slashed at Freed who dodged the attack and resume clashing with them. Irina, using Mimic, changed the sword into a katana and slashed at the enemy exorcists around her in fluid motion while changing it to a whip to deal with farther enemies. Saji, being a support, used his Sacred Gear to drain the enemies' stamina or use it to trip the enemies around him. Koneko, being the smallest of the group, has little difficulty evading the light spears and bullets by the Fallen Angels and Stray Exorcists while dealing with the enemy in front of her.
Issei, while fighting the group around him, he noticed that several Stray Exorcists were moving around the foyer. Knowing what they will do, Issei began using magic as electric spheres appeared with green magic loops around them.
"Plasma Lancer! Shoot!" he cast as he pointed his left arm at the foyer, causing the spheres to shoot in an arrowhead shape to that direction and exploded.
Those who saw this was shocked at the strong magic that Issei just used. In fact, the devils felt that it had lightning attribute to it, making them thinking that Issei must have been holding back to make sure they're alright. Koneko, seeing this, knew that she had to use everything that she had to make sure everyone can get out of this alive as she felt the surge of energy started to dissipate. She knew that she's still not ready to use it, as 'she' told Koneko that her senjutsu techniques still need some more training, but as the situation turning grim in every second, Koneko released the seal that 'she' had put on her.
When a surge of devil energy appeared beside him, Issei looked at Koneko's direction and saw white cat ears and two tails on her, only have him showing a small smile on his face.
'So that's why I felt that she's acting like a cat sometimes. She's a cat youkai,' he thought to himself before focusing on the situation at hand.
With the release of her nekoshou form, Koneko's attack became more powerful and deadlier as the Stray Exorcists found out too late. The Fallen Angels however, began throwing light spears at the nekoshou and Issei as they were deemed most dangerous from the group. Before the spears able to hit Koneko, suddenly a mirror appeared in front of her and reflected the spears back to their throwers. Issei, noticed this, knew who had made it appear.
"I didn't think Sona-san would send you alone, Tsubaki-san. Did you come here on your own?" he asked as Tsubaki jumped above the Fallen Angels and Stray Exorcists, wielding a naginata.
"I'm just worried about Kiba-san when I heard about his behaviour yesterday from Sona-kaichou. When I saw him going with you, I knew that you would do something stupid," she said as she slashed at a Fallen Angel that came close to attack her.
"Huh, fair enough. Glad to have you around to help with this though."
As the fight rages on, both Kiba and Xenovia were able to corner Freed as he began to sprout gashes at his body before the mad exorcist jumped above them and used Nightmare to make copies of him around them. Knowing that he was still around, Kiba used 'Sword Birth' at the ground, sprouting blades around the area and removing the Freed copies.
"Guh, not bad for some shitty devils and stupid exorcists. Don't think that you will win this fight, shitty devil," Freed said before suddenly a clapping sounded at the end of the warehouse before revealing a short, bespectacled elderly man in a priest robe.
"Wonderful. To think one of my surviving failed experiment able to wield such swords, but alas, it is still not enough to destroy the Excaliburs," the man said, causing Kiba to seethe in rage.
"Valper Galilei! You're the reason my friends die in vain!" Kiba shouted as he brandished his sword towards the man, with Xenovia following suit.
"Valper Galilei, excommunicated priest, also known as Genocide Archbishop. If you surrender now, the punishment towards you will be swift," Xenovia said as the man laughed at her.
"Surrender? I think not. You see, I'm almost finished with what I've hoped for and I won't have it stopped partway. No, I won't stop until the project is complete."
"Then you better prepare to beaten by us, you murderer," Kiba said as he charged at Valper before being blocked by Freed.
"You think you can kill me that easily. How amusing. In fact, I think I will give you a parting gift," Valper said as he took out what seemed to be a crystal orb which everyone gasped at the sight.
"It can't be," Saji said looked in disbelief.
"Yes, this is the thing that made it possible for people like Freed able to wield Excalibur. It was made by the spirits of those who have potential to wield them."
"Those... my friends..." Kiba said as he looked at the crystal with tears forming in his eyes.
"Now I have no use for it, I will give you this as you die killed by the rest of them. My new patron has given me another way to make people able to do it easily anyway," Valper said as he tossed it towards Kiba as Freed stood near Valper before both of them vanished within a magic circle.
Kiba, holding on towards the orb, began to cry as he apologized towards his deceased friends when suddenly the orb released a light, blinding everyone before revealing figures of boys and girls surrounding Kiba.
"Those are..." Irina said as Issei nodded in confirmation before he said, "Yes, Irina. They're his comrades."
Looking at the scenery, everyone knew that his friends told Kiba to live on without holding a grudge anymore and continue living happily before they merged with Kiba.
[Aibou, looks like Kiba gained his Balance Breaker.]
"Yeah, looks like he did. Alright, let's wrap things up guys!" Issei said as everyone shouted in agreement and resumed fighting the remaining enemies as Rias, Sona, their peerages, Raynare, Vivio and Asia arrived, helping them.
After the battle, Issei looked on as Kiba and Koneko got reprimanded by Rias while Sona did with Tsubaki and Saji.
"To think you did this behind my back. I was worried about you two. Please, don't do this again," Rias said as Kiba and Koneko mumbled in apology.
"I know that you're reckless sometimes Saji, but you too, Tsubaki?" Sona asked Tsubaki as Saji looked dejected and faced downward.
"I'm just worried about Kiba, Sona. When you said about what happened yesterday, I just couldn't think straight."
"*sigh* Fine. But I will punish both of you after this is over," Sona said in defeat.
Satisfied with what happened, Issei thought of going to talk with the devils before his ear being pulled by someone.
"H-hey. Ouch. Ouch! That hurts, Vivi-chan! Stop pulling my ear," Issei pleaded at his angry sister.
"Mou Onii-chan! That was reckless of you, going in knowing that the enemy will be there waiting for you. And here I thought you're smarter than that. Why do you do it alone? Me, Raynare-san and Asia-chan could help you."
"I can't help it. I had a feeling that if they saw you, the ones behind them might kidnap you after this incident is done. I don't want that to happen," Issei said, causing Vivio to calm down when hearing his reason.
"You think so?"
"Yeah. I don't know why, but the more time I ponder about this, the more my feelings said it's correct," Issei said before he looked back at the devil group.
"Hey guys, what will you guys do next?"
"Well, Rias and I had talked with one another, and think that it might be better if we stay at the school in the mean time. And seeing that the two of them also don't have any place to stay, I think they will have to stay with us for a while. What do you think?" Sona asked the church duo who just nodded.
"I see... Raynare, I know that you want to stay with us, but I got a feeling that you staying with them for now is the right move. I hope you're not angry with my decision," Issei said as Raynare shook her head and said, "No, it's fine. Looking at your perspective, having another person with them gives them a better chance if he decided to attack the school, right? I don't mind."
"Thanks. Alright, looks like there's nothing more to do now. Let's dismiss for now. We never know where they're hiding now," Issei said as they depart from the warehouse, though he got a nagging feeling that tonight's going to be a long night.
When they returned home, Issei was told by Nanoha of what Momoko had told her, shocking him as the one who killed his parents was a supernatural being. He thought about what others had to suffer when it appeared there. He and Vivio told Nanoha, Fate and Hayate about what happened today and like them, agreed that the incident was still not over yet.
Later that night, midnight. The battle known later as the 'Siege of Kuoh' commenced.
A.N - Looks like that's a wrap for this chapter. Hope you guys enjoy it.
