Seen as the past two weeks have resulted in late updates, here is an early one.

As I lifted myself up from the ground with my wings, I started to wonder how I'd actually help fight Kokabiel. I've never worked together to kill a tough opponent before. I've worked with Xenovia but our speeds are vastly different, there is a lot more for me to do there compared to here. So much so I find myself just watching Grayfia and Kokabiel fight each other.

['Aibou … This fight of theirs. We can't really intervene at all.']

'What do you mean?'

['We are only just at their level for power with all the boosts and Durandal but our reserves aren't anywhere near as high as theirs. If we were to intervene we would be used as fodder for whoever gets the chance first.']

'What about concentrated beams from Durandal?'

['Haven't used it anywhere near enough to control it's might. I'd be surprised if you could use 3 beams before running out of steam. Perhaps we should wait, don't you think Azazel would send someone to collect Kokabiel?']

'The Vanishing Dragon? Azazel undoubtedly knows i'm here plus there is the chance that he knows Grayfia is also here. I'm not sure chancing it is a good idea even with my luck.'

['You are right. There is also the chance that Kokabiel calls on more Fallen Angels to back him up, have them mob Grayfia while he kills the two heiresses.']

'Then what about that rumoured terrorist group? Could Kokabiel be working with them?'

['Possible but doubtful Aibou. Kokabiel is more of one to just fight and not take orders from anyone, even if they are a lot stronger than he is.']

'So then what should we do?'

['JD is completely out due to your reserves being pretty low right now. We can't boost any more for fear of tiring in the middle of a fight. All we really have to go on is speed that we can't utilize. I say we call for help. The devils probably haven't because Grayfia is here so we might as well do it.']

'We can't call on Dulio because he has no chance of getting here in time. That means Michael-sama or Gabriel-nee.'

['We know Michael can't so that only leaves Gabriel. Problem with her is that she is probably busy right now.']

'Then that leaves us with nothing Ossan.'

As I floated in the sky, I felt something strange. Something was watching me, something draconic. It was up high along with another energy, one that belonged to my rival. My rival being there didn't bother me, it was the other one there. It was dark draconic energy, not evil just dark. Even with the distance between us, I could feel the goosebumps running along my forearms. I had a strange foreboding in my body.

There was only two draconic energies that I would outright fear. Ophis and Great Red. Great Red wouldn't appear like this plus I would undoubtedly see him because he is rumoured to be huge. That means it was Ophis the Infinite but why was she with my rival? Better yet why are they just watching us. Feeling their energies, it's like they've been here for a while and their aura has only just lingered into the range of my senses. It's odd, definitely not luck this time.

['Aibou, I don't like this at all.']

'I agree with you Ossan. I knew Kokabiel was strong but I didn't think he was strong enough to push Grayfia back so easily, I had thought he could but not to this degree. Could he be working with Ophis?'

['No no no, you don't work with Ophis, Aibou. Ophis has probably just supplied some snakes and Kokabiel acquired one. If that is the case though, the White-one may have ingested one too. That is not good for our current state.']

Our current state isn't really a good one to begin with. What to do?

'Should we just bail? We have the Excaliburs?'

['That's not actually a bad idea Aibou. Taking us and the Excalibur out of the mix will just leave the Devils and Fallen Angels, that means their fight won't involve us too much and the main front will be in the Underworld. Put Durandal back, get your sword and let's leave.']

'Will do Ossan.'

I dropped Durandal as I dove back down to the ground, it's magic circle opening up throwing chains out and grabbing onto Durandal. Once I landed back on the ground I walked straight over to the devils who just stood watching Grayfia battle Kokabiel up in the sky, only just taking notice of me. I walked past them all stopping next to the Nekoshou that was here, I dropped down onto one knee and took a hold of the sword I planted in the ground with my right hand and summoned it's sheathe to my left.

"Hyoudou-san, what are you doing?"

"I'm leaving. I've done my job here."

With one sharp tug, I yanked the Katana from out of the ground and quickly sheathed it and tying it to my waist as the barrier around the school disappears.

"You are leaving?!"

"Would you proffered I stayed Gremory? Waited for the Strongest Queen to get weak from her battle with Kokabiel then take her out along with you all for the Good of the Angels? No, that isn't within balance. My job here was to receive the Excaliburs, I have done that so I will now leave."

"Balance?"

I turned round to look at Rias Gremory as I stood up and saw her looking a little perplexed, much like the rest of her peerage and Sona Sitri's although Sona and her Queen seemed to understand.

"If I was any other Angel I might just help you out Gremory but i'm the Son of Cassiel, the new Angel of Temperance. I keep things in order and that's it. Grayfia-chan is fighting Kokabiel, that's a 1-on-1. My involvement will disrupt the balance of their battle. My mission was to retrieve the Excaliburs, broken or not. My mission was never to kill Kokabiel or apprehend him, apprehending him was a bonus that would have come from your involvement. I have weighed everything up, I can't do anything more to help so I must leave. Sitri-chan seems to understand so ask her for more."

'Ossan, put the next boost just into speed.'

['Got'cha Aibou']

[Boost!]

I then set off while starting my teleportation. A few seconds later and I disappeared in a golden light that mirrored the cross.

…

After collecting Xenovia and Irina from the apartment I called Michael-sama before teleporting the three of us back to the Vatican where Michael-sama would be waiting.

Once we appeared in the Vatican, all eyes were on us but mainly me as I was still in my Balance Breaker form with my Angel wings out. I let the Balance Breaker dismiss itself along with my wings as my pistols hooked themselves around my right leg in their black dragon hide holsters, as my clothes returned back to how they usually were. A surge of holy magic flushed through the Vatican as Michael-sama appeared in front of us using the same golden teleportation technique I had used.

"You are here Issei-kun. Are you wounded at all?"

"Not at all Michael-sama, i'm just a little tired. Used a lot more magic energy than expected plus I tried out that sub-species."

Michael-sama showed me a small smile before beginning to speak again.

"That's good and refrain from the -sama Issei-kun, you have awakened yourself now. Now tell me how the mission went."

"Hai … Michael-san. I went to check on a beacon that I had put in place and was met by Grayfia, Strongest Queen. That was when I summoned the Sub-species and unsealed myself so I could fix it and get out quickly. That was when Kokabiel arrived with a squad of Fallen, two humans and two Cerberus. I then fought with Grayfia and the two Heiresses in the area. After retrieving the Excaliburs, Rapidly was the only one broke and should be fixed by now. From there I weighed my chances and decided that I should leave to keep things in balance lest I lose my life. One thing to add is that I met the Vanishing Dragon like i'm sure Gabriel-nee mentioned but he was there again before but he was not alone, I believe he was with Ophis."

"Ophis? Could the Vanishing Dragon be a part of the rumoured terrorist group?"

"I'm unsure Michael-san, I never spoke with him then. All I found out was that the Vanishing Dragon may be as lucky as I am. He is a Lucifer."

Michael's eyes widened at that.

"What of his dragon energy?"

"Nothing compared to mine. It didn't seem like he sacrificed a part of himself to Albion."

Michael then raised his hand to his chin in thought.

"Ok then Issei-kun. Go get some rest, you are free from work until I say otherwise."

"Thanks Michael-san. About Irina, can I take her on as well?"

"Of course Issei-kun. The Brave Saints are close to being made, you will receive your own suit like the rest of the Archangels."

With a small smile Michael teleported off leaving us alone in the centre of the main hall of the Vatican undergrounds.

"Archangel huh?"

I said it with a sigh before giving my head a light shake dismissing it for now. I've got a week to rest and do whatever I want. I can think of all those things afterwards when Michael calls for me once again. Though I suppose that will mean the end of my days as an Exorcist.

As I started to walk, both Xenovia and Irina started to follow after me.

"Issei-kun, does this mean i'm your bodyguard like Xeno-chan?"

"That is correct."

"What did Michael-sama mean by Brave Saints?"

"The Angelic version of the Evil Pieces. With you two as my bodyguards, it means that you two will be a part of my Brave Saints."

I could feel the silence behind me as the two looked at each other in response to what I had just said. Luckily what would come next arrived when we were walking down the back passages in the silence of the area for the top exorcists.

"We can become Angels?!"

Irina was the one who shouted it but I could tell that Xenovia was equally as ecstatic about the prospect just from the aura behind me.

That was a hard question to answer truthfully to Irina at least. Irina didn't know the full truth yet like Xenovia did and Xenovia only knows because of me, as my bodyguard it was her right to know and now Irina has the right to know it as well.

"Reincarnated Angels, you will become reincarnated angels."

I kept on walking with the two behind me. I can't tell her. We are childhood friends, still are now. I know how strong her belief is. I can't do it. Without turning around, I spoke out.

"Xenovia. I'm sorry but can you fill her in for me. Thanks."

Without waiting for an answer I walked off from then heading straight for my own quarters here. I quickly opened the door and headed straight to my room and dropped my body down onto my bed closing my eyes. It was a lot more pain than it's worth really.

…

That week just passed by slowly. It was a little depressing, especially with the atmosphere that occupied my quarters. I had known from the start the God wasn't alive so I was accustomed at a young age before I could become enveloped in the religion and it didn't stop me from carrying on. Xenovia was pretty flimsy in her faith honestly, she followed it but she didn't really seem that bothered so the news of God being dead didn't do that much to her. She was saddened by it but it didn't really change anything for her. Irina though was different, God and Christianity was her life. She grew up with knowing him to be alive and then out of the blue she was told he was dead and the reason why. It hit her like a ton of bricks. She resigned herself to her room completely and only opened the door to collect her meals for the first 3 days. After that she perked up to a degree but she was still physically deterred with a pale tint to her skin.

At the end of the week Michael had sent me a message to return to Kuoh Academy to check it out during the day. What came next in his message actually caught me out and surprised me, the reason for checking it out was because it would be the meeting place for the upcoming peace treaty that we, the Angels, would be a part of as me, Xenovia and Irina would go as Michael's bodyguards along with the fact that we were in the area during Kokabiel's escapade.

Instead of teleporting there, we took a plane there so I could go over some details without any eyes and ears taking note. According to the report, Ophis made her presence known when the Vanishing Dragon took the chance of apprehending Kokabiel after he tired out from fighting Grayfia who got out with only a few burns that were taken care of by Asia. Before we got onto the plane I had given Ascalon over to Irina seen as she didn't have Excalibur Mimic any more to use. My weapon was now the recently rebuilt Excalibur that reformed after a full 20 hours of meditation and fusing with my blood and Boosted Gear to strengthen it's rebuild.

The date we arrived at Kuoh Academy was a slightly problematic one, one that was engineered by Michael. Presumably for me to get closer to the devils here for this upcoming peace treaty banking on my dragon side more than anything I guess. The other problem here being that it was Parent's day for the students so we stood out more than normal with our Exorcist clothing. We at least had a way around being kicked out by having requests, Michael had signed the three of us up for school here. I'm unsure whether to place it as Michael scheming for having an Angel representative here at all times or just through coincidence and having us actually go to school for once.

The three of us scoped out the trio of second year classes getting a gauge on the students there for when we are placed in a class. Asia and the Knight from Gremory were both in different classes and luckily that didn't seem to matter, Asia looked like she was getting along with the students here fine. The only problems were the boys here and their lecherous ways, I felt a little jealous that they were so free in regards to their dreams. Something, that despite my mass of luck, will not happen.

Once lunch came I came face to face with the devils that had acclimated here within the school gym. I had just walked into the building as they all turned towards me after feeling my holy aura radiate around in the air.

"So you are the Sekiryuutei? Younger than I expected too."

The one who was known as Sirzechs Lucifer, the man I had wounded over half a year ago was the one who spoke.

"Looks can be decieving I know. I take it you are here to scope out the area?"

"That is correct Sekiryuutei-kun, Michael-san had informed me that you'd be coming and about your enrolment into the school."

"I guess I should use this time to apologize for the Kokabiel incident. My departure surely came out of nowhere, it just seemed to be right of me."

"It's ok Sekiryuutei-kun, no harm done."

I narrowed my gaze slightly at Sirzechs and felt Ddraig stir along with Excalibur. I summoned our forms to hand and gestured them towards Sirzechs.

"I was told that Gremory own the school or at least a portion of it, could I entrust our forms to you Lucifer?"

"Of course Sekiryuutei but please call me Sirzechs, you are an Archangel after all."

He took the forms away from me with a simple but genuine smile on his face. He was no way near as scary as others had said, perhaps that was just to make sure we didn't go near haplessly.

"Then please use my name too Sirzechs. I'm Hyoudou Issei, either will suffice."

"Pleased to meet you, Issei-kun. Grayfia said you were the Archangel of Temperance, that would make you the son of Cassiel correct?"

As soon as I heard him mention Cassiel my mood plummeted, my gaze narrowed further.

"I'll advise you to shut up Lucifer, if not I'll make sure my blade runs right through you instead."

I turned straight on the spot, pushing straight past a dumbfounded Irina and Xenovia as I stormed out of the gym with my Katana rattling by my side.

'Ddraig..'

['Yeah, yeah I know. We'll duke it out while you sleep.']

I hummed lightly out loud in response before shaking my head in annoyance. Turning back to the gym I saw both Xenovia and Irina running over to me.

"I just gotta let this go huh."

The girls reached me quickly and just stopped and looked at me. Their eyes weren't prying but they weren't sympathetic either nor did they look expectant for an explanation. They were going to wait, wait for me to come to terms with it all myself and I couldn't help but smile in realisation as it came to me.

"Come on you two, let's go home for today. I'll cook."

"Yay! Ise-kun's cooking!"

As I turned back round to walk off I had the soft resound of the two girl's hands smacking together after a friendly high-five.

['Aibou. You are a lucky guy.']

'That I am Ddraig, that I am.'

He was right. I was lucky to have both Irina and Xenovia in my life. I'll have to work a lot harder to keep it this way.

Issei is still a Cassiel hater.
With how i've laid out the story for you to see, it looks like it will follow canon outside of the strictly devil stuff.
When the devil stuff comes in i will be switching it for Angel stuff.

Then would be about the swords and Issei not having his Ascalon.
He's not the one who needs it, Irina is for now at least. Later volumes have shown to prove otherwise.
Plus the dragon-slaying will help for if i so chose to have Issei go berserk.

This leaves the Peace Treaty itself for the next chapter.
That will be changed up, hopefully for the better too.

I'll see you next time. Ciao.