Kyousuke leaned back in a chair as he observed Sona and Rias talk to two Exorcists who had sauntered into town. Something about shards of a holy sword, a deranged priest and he could have sworn they brought up Creed Diskenth. Or was it Freed? Whatever.
"Bit racist, aren't they?" Mittelt mused from beside him, facing the room while sitting in a chair backward.
"Lil' bit," he replied as he witnessed the one known as Xenovia go full radical on the devils in the room. Issei being a raving pervert wasn't exactly helping matters.
She went on to insult Asia and say she was a filthy traitor and then Issei got really mad.
He slammed his right hand on the wall, the sound of it crashing through the tension like a drunk man in a crowd.
"Excuse me. Are we Exorcists and Devils, or are we children? Stop calling people names."
Xenovia scowled at him. "Insinuating that we're on the same level as you-"
"Oh, but you are. And I am so sorry for that."
He spread his arms out in a welcoming gesture as he stood up from the chair he was seated in, azure eyes locking with Xenovia's yellow.
"A true Exorcist wouldn't stoop to this level. They'd put humans first and if they had to, work with devils in order to make sure everyone stays safe and alive. No, this isn't about you being superior. It's about you being insecure. Your pride demands you to work alone and it's killing you to even be here. I have to wonder just what the Church was thinking, sending some greenhorns like you two to deal with this situation."
Perhaps he shouldn't be talking, as he was new to this as well. But with all the memories he had received from Kintoki and Tamamo, he certainly didn't feel new anymore.
Xenovia drew her blade, scowling. And the moment she did, he felt a searing pain in his chest. Like someone had just stabbed him. His entire body was burning and it didn't take him long to realize that one of his cards was resonating with him. It was on a stronger level than he'd ever felt before. He could feel sadness, grief and overwhelming rage.
No, there were more emotions raging in there. Loyalty, courage, what the heck? Two of his cards were reacting at the same time! This is why it felt so strong!
To wield that abomination of father's blade, I'll cut her down myself!
It was a rough feminine voice.
To reduce Excalibur to such a pitiful state, it's an insult to the king.
A smooth, male voice.
Summon my sword, Master! I can't let her wield that piece of trash anymore! Say it now, Include - Saber!
I can't let you do that, Saber. It is I that should crush that sword. Recite the words, Include - Shielder.
He wasn't sure what to do, so he simply laughed.
"Sorry, Xenovia-san. It seems that my Sacred Gear really doesn't like that blade you're wielding. They say it's a mockery of Excalibur."
"You know nothing of Excalibur Destruction!"
Is that what's it called? Saber said with a snort. What a joke.
"Tell you what. You say you want to find this priest and stop his plans, right? Well, if you two can defeat me in a two on one fight, I'll gladly let you march on off to your deaths. But if I beat you, you have to accept the help of the devils."
All the devils in the room turned toward them, shock evident on their faces.
He smirked.
"I'm doing this to better the relationship of the factions. And also because Kiba over there looks like he's about to go full Sasuke Uchiha really soon."
Kiba, for his part, glanced away. But it was clear as day that the topic of Holy Swords was eating at him.
He shifted his gaze toward Rias. "Rias-san, if you forbid Kiba from pursuing this, he'll go anyway and that'll only cause more trouble."
She grimaced. "Yeah . . . I'm aware. So I have to thank you for giving us the excuse to act."
Xenovia cocked a brow. "You act as if this is already decided."
It was Sona who spoke up next. "It is. I know Kyousuke. He doesn't pick fights he can't win. 'Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it' that is a creed that he takes very seriously as a historian and as such, I've never once seen him underestimate an opponent or overestimate himself."
"And Issei?"
The pervert looked toward him.
"I'll avenge Asia-chan's honor while I'm at it."
Issei nodded, giving him the most serious expression he'd had since he beaten Riser's face in.
"Wait!" Irina spoke up. "2 vs 1 isn't fair! Let Issei fight too! That way it's one member from each Peerage!"
Kyousuke smirked. Hook, line and sinker. He knew Irina would speak up. She seemed to be the honorable type. Now he could focus purely on Xenovia.
"Those terms are acceptable," he said as he laughed softly. Perhaps that Saber was already influencing him a bit. He usually wasn't this brazen. Didn't help that she was loud.
He and Issei stood across from Xenovia and Irina in a grassy field not too far away from the school. Sona had set up a barrier, so they were given free reign to go a bit wild.
"I'll show you not to be so arrogant, devil" Xenovia growled.
He grinned. "We'll see about that."
He held out his right hand.
"Include - Saber!"