Chapter 8 - Stirring up the Exorcists (2)

Before all the fiasco with Jeanne ever happened, Carl returned similarly to his Airbnb but because he wanted to be time efficient, he moved using his Vampiric Agility instead of traveling like a normal human.

In no time, once he got back home, he went to change his clothes with another set he bought at the Mall. He was wearing a well-tailored ensemble that exudes sophistication and charm. He wears a crisp, white button-down shirt, the fabric clinging lightly to his lean frame. The shirt is paired with sleek black trousers, perfectly pressed and tailored to fit him like a second skin. A black leather belt cinches his waist, adding a subtle touch of elegance to the outfit.

Over the shirt, Carl sports a dark charcoal blazer, its structured silhouette adding a refined touch to his appearance. The blazer is adorned with subtle details, such as slim lapels and sleek pockets, enhancing its polished look. The fabric of the blazer is smooth to the touch, hinting at its high-quality craftsmanship.

Completing his ensemble, Carl wears polished black dress shoes, their glossy finish reflecting the ambient light in the room. The shoes add a final touch of sophistication to his outfit, complementing the overall sleek and refined aesthetic.

'Not bad. They are fitting like a glove, especially now that I regained my muscle mass. Worth spending all of those stolen euros.'

'What do you think, mister Dracul. Looking fresh?'

[Shockingly, pretty good. The quality of clothes in this Era dwarfs the one from my time.]

Carl couldn't help but flash a confident smile in the mirror, before turning around and stepping out from the house, traversing the ground as he used the GPS to get to a photo center to get himself an ID and Passport Photo.

As Carl approached the counter at the photo center, he greeted the attendant with a charming smile. "Good afternoon. I'm in need of some passport and ID photos, please."

The attendant returned his smile, nodding in acknowledgment. "Of course, sir. We can certainly assist you with that. Just a moment while I prepare the camera."

While the attendant readied the equipment, Carl glanced around the shop, his gaze falling on a display of printed forms. Turning back to the attendant, he inquired politely, "Excuse me, would it be possible to print some copies of the documentation forms as well? I have the links ready at hand. I'll need them for my records when I visit the Service Center."

The attendant paused, considering his request for a moment before nodding in agreement, it wasn't uncommon, and seeing Carl take out extra cash for this gesture, it wasn't going to waste the inkcell. "Certainly, sir. We can provide you with printed copies of the forms. How many would you require?"

"Two copies should suffice, thank you," Carl replied with a grateful nod.

With a swift and efficient manner, the attendant prepared the camera and proceeded to capture Carl's photos. As the images were printed, Carl glanced over at the stack of forms, ensuring they were included in his order.

Once everything was ready, Carl thanked the attendant for their assistance and collected both the photos and the printed forms. "Thank you for your help. Have a wonderful day," he said with a polite smile before making his exit, his preparations now complete for the next phase of his plan.

Seated at a small table at a Coffee Shop in the vicinity, Carl carefully spread out the documents he had acquired from the photo center. He picked up a pen and began to fill in the form with his new identity information.

'What surname to pick? I can't go about with 'Bloodriver'. It spells in your face that I might be some terrorist or psychopath who escaped from an Asylum.'

[Child, if you want, I wouldn't mind you using my Surname. Not that I had one like the other Noble Houses in Europe since it wasn't a thing in Wallachia to have one. However, I adapted my nickname into a Surname when corresponding with the other nobles in Europe.]

'Which one, sir? Dracula?'

[That's a patronymic, child. However, for your needs, you can use the Latin Version.]

'Which is? What exactly? I don't know Latin, old man.'

[Dragwlya]

'It's inconspicuous nowadays. The Vampires would jump on my ass in no time. Who knows what connection they have with the Governments of the Human World. I'm scared to even think about that.'

[It's not that bad.]

'Look, I need something german. Not Latin, not Romanian… German. If you can't help, let me think.'

Carl wasn't a fan of German/Austrian Culture per se, apart from knowing generic stuff that anyone who graduated highschool in the UK School System acquired. Minutes passed, and nothing came to mind. Like heck he would name himself after some classical musician.

Shifting gears, he returned to his first passion, anime. Crunching his memories from his first life, based on the animes that had some remnants of 'German' identity in them, his frowning expression finally lighted up 'Eureka! I got this.'

At the top of the page, he wrote his chosen name, nodding to himself as if approving with the name -Carl Krassius Liebert- It felt strange to see the name written out, but the reminder of the persona it belonged fitted entirely with whom he become, a Vampire, possibly a Villain that wants to destroy the World.

'Not really… I'm long shot before I can even entertain the idea of destroying the World. A Villain? Yeap, at times some of my actions are of a douchebag, last night calls me out.'

[That's quite the aspiration, boy. Destroying the World.]

'Yeah, I know. It's impossible, Besides, I was joking as I thought of that guy from the 'Monster'.'

Following the rest of the form, Carl completed the rest of the form, providing false details for his date of birth, place of birth, and other personal information. Each stroke of the pen felt calculated, as he carefully constructed the facade of his new identity.

With a final flourish, Carl signed his new name at the bottom of the form, the ink drying quickly on the paper. As he surveyed his handiwork, a sense of satisfaction washed over him.

'Good stuff. What do you think, mister? Have I missed anything so far?'

[I mean, you did check on all the empty boxes, so no. However, I have no idea if you're missing something or not.]

'Well, all that remains now is to check if Hypnosis works.'

[It should work as long you don't fuck up the Spell Activation.]

With his forged documents securely tucked away in a folder, Carl stepped out from the Coffee Shop, the morning sun casting a warm glow over the streets of Graz, and without the fear of the sunlight or of God, he started walking in the bustling city.

The bustling city seemed to pulse with life, the sounds of traffic and chatter filling the air as people went about their daily routines.

Navigating the streets with ease, Carl consulted the GPS on his phone, guiding him towards the Service Center where he would undergo the final check into his assimilation and return to the Human World.

His pace was steady, as he made his way at the building that housed the Amtshaus der Stadt Graz, Carl paused for a moment to take in his surroundings. The imposing building stood tall and grand against the backdrop of the city. Its architecture spoke of a bygone era, with intricate stone carvings adorning its facade and tall arched windows that gleaned in the sunlight.

[Such contrast. It's impressive when I think how far you guys have reached. To build such buildings.]

'Mhm, I can't deny that the Habsburgs had a taste of aesthetics. Unlike those shitty 'Modernist' buildings that have no charm, I'd rather go with this old Style.'

'But, hey. Welcome to the Modern World, old man.'

Steeling himself for what lay ahead, Carl squared his shoulders and entered the building, he was greeted by the cool, dim interior of the Amtshaus. The spacious foyer was adorned with marble floors and intricately patterned tiles, while ornate chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the space.

As Carl settled into the uncomfortable plastic chair in the waiting area, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building within him. He glanced around the room, taking note of the other individuals seated nearby, each engrossed in their own tasks or lost in their own thoughts.

'Man. I need to be extra careful here… I'll get in trouble if there's some side-effects and she starts going crazy at me.'

[Unlikely.]

His eyes scanned the room, searching for the perfect target. He needed someone who would be more susceptible to his charms and the subtle influence of his hypnotic spell. And then, he spotted her – a middle-aged woman seated behind one of the counters, her attention divided between the computer screen in front of her and the paperwork spread out before her.

Carl observed her for a moment, noting the tired lines etched into her face and the slight slump of her shoulders. She looked bored, perhaps even a little disinterested in her surroundings. Perfect, Carl thought to himself, a small smirk playing at the corners of his lips.

'Hmmm, being mentally drained is akin to a cracked shield. Easy prey for certain.'

With a calculated grace, Carl rose from his seat and made his way towards the counter where the woman sat, his steps purposeful and confident. He approached her with a charming smile, his eyes meeting hers in a silent exchange.

"Excuse me," Carl began, his voice smooth and persuasive. "I was wondering if you could assist me with some paperwork."

The woman looked up from her desk, her expression shifting from indifference to mild interest as she regarded Carl. There was a faint glimmer of curiosity in her eyes as she listened to his request.

"Of course," she replied, her tone polite but guarded. "What do you need help with?"

Carl maintained eye contact, allowing the subtle power of his magic to work their charms. "I just need to submit some documentation," he explained, his words laced with a subtle suggestion. "But I was hoping you could expedite the process for me. I'm in a bit of a hurry, you see."

As he spoke, Carl infused his words with the hypnotic energy of his spell, his voice taking on a melodic quality that seemed to captivate the woman's attention. He watched as her eyes glazed over slightly, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"Of course," she murmured, her voice tinged with a dreamy quality. "I'll do everything I can to help you."

With the link established with the Spell, it now become a tag of multitasking, since his main focus become on keeping the hypnosis of the lady, Ms. Helga, while his secondary focus on making sure that the process went smooth enough for him to be successful, and lastly, to ensure that the blood spider kept watch over Jeanne.

'Damn it. There's a lingering headache soon encroaching in my brain.'

The intensity of Carl's focus only grew with each passing second.

Carl took his folder and began passing to the lady all of his fabricated story, and in her process of checking what he wrote down, and also verifying the photo for both his ID Card and Passport, she points out something vital for this whole endeavor to work.

"I'm sorry, I think you forgot something," Ms. Helga said, breaking him free from his trance. "You need a birth certificate to issue an ID Card and Passport.

'... Really?' his heart skipped a beat as he processed her words, a surge of panic and embarrassment threatened him.

But this wasn't all, Nosferatu's chuckle echoed in his mind, annoying him, as if it was his fault he wasn't a fan of bureaucratic processes. It was a shame, he had meticulously crafted this false story, ensuring that everything seemed legitimate, but then he had to overlook a critical detail… the birth certificate.

'Fuck me. I doubt Krassius even had one to begin with.'

Maintaining his composure, Carl forced a calm smile onto his lips, his mind racing as he scrambled to come up with a solution since he was using Hypnosis not Brainwashing, if the story didn't match the content it would soon crumble before his face.

"Ah, my apologies," he replied smoothly, his voice betraying none of his inner turmoil. "I must have overlooked that. Is there any way to expedite the process for obtaining a birth certificate?"

Ms. Helga regarded him thoughtfully, her expression softening slightly. "Normally, it can take some time to acquire a birth certificate," she explained, her tone sympathetic. "But since you seem to be in a hurry, I can make an exception and help you with the paperwork. However, I'll need some additional information from you."

"Alright," she murmured, her pen hovering over the paper. "I have most of the information in the forms you've filled, but there's something that is missing. I'll need the names of your parents for the birth certificate."

Carl's heart skipped a beat at the mention of his parents, a detail he had neglected to consider in his elaborate ruse. Frantically, he searched his mind for a solution, his thoughts racing as he tried to come up with a convincing answer.

"My parents..." he began, his voice trailing off as he struggled to come up with a plausible lie. "Unfortunately, they passed away when I was young. I don't have any memory of them."

Ms. Helga's expression softened with sympathy as she nodded understandingly. "I'm sorry to hear that," she said softly, her tone gentle. "I'll make a note of it on the form."

As Ms. Helga finished filling out the paperwork, Carl couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him. Despite the initial hiccup with the birth certificate that almost destroyed all of the perception of his Hypnosis, he had managed to navigate the situation smoothly and salvage himself. It was thanks to his quick thinking and powers of persuasion.

'Ahem. It was thanks to my lying skills. I don't even react like normal people when lying. Maybe I'm a sociopath?'

"Thank you so much for your help, Ms. Helga," Carl said, his tone genuine as he flashed her a charming smile. "I really appreciate it."

Ms. Helga returned the smile as she was still under his Hypnosis, her expression warm as she handed Carl a receipt for the documents. "You're welcome, Mr. Liebert," she replied kindly. "Your paperwork should be processed within the next week. You'll receive a notification once everything is ready."

"Excellent," Carl said, taking the receipt and tucking it into his pocket. "I'll be sure to keep an eye out for it."

Then while he was switching his attention from the Hypnosis to the Blood Spider, he saw and heard some things that annoyed him, a maggot was trying to kill his Pristine Cattle. How akin to a farmer discovering that his Wagyu Cow was threatened by some wolf.

Not long after he willed the Spider to sever the head of that maggot, he frowned seeing how it wasn't capable of doing what he wanted, but the threat of the wound oozing with blood was enough for Carl to calm down.

Finalizing the process with Helga, and moving away from the Service Center, canceling the link of the Hypnosis now that there wasn't any evidence that would point at him, he received a phone call from Jeanne who got the scare of her life.

'How should I react? She's no longer in danger per se with my full focus on the Blood Spider. Heh, it would be nice to play the Hero once in a lifetime.'

"Hello?" A calm voice answered escaped from his voice, while his expression had a relaxed grin.

"Carl, it's Jeanne." Her voice quavered, "Can I talk to you?"

'Of course, but it is interesting how she thought of calling me first. Have my charms worked such wonders?'

Silence stretched out for a few seconds before Carl responded, "Yeah, sure. What's up?"

She began telling what happened, and for Carl who liked some Drama, it was akin to a Brazilian Telenovela. Yet he couldn't tell Jeanne that she was overreacting, instead he chose the route where he was the concerned and attentive lover.

Pausing as he listened to her attentively. "Calm down, Jeanne. Are you okay?" he asked, concern etched into his voice. The tenderness of his tone reached through the line, comforting Jeanne.

"I need you here, Carl," she whispered shakily over the phone. "Please come over."

'Ohh, the tears, the waterworks. Women sure can make an art out of crying. It is as if there's different types of crying based on the situation. Never ceases to amaze me.'

He remained quiet for a brief moment, while at the same time, he could hear her quivering, which made him answer softly, "Okay, I'm coming. Be safe until I arrive."

Hanging up, Carl opened the GPS and put Jeanne's address on the map -Siemensgasse-

As Carl darted through the streets of Graz with preternatural speed, he seemingly transformed into a stream of blood as he passed along the shadows casted by the buildings. It would have been a waste of time, if he didn't train his Vampiric Powers along with his Sacred Gear.

His movements were swift and fluid, blending seamlessly into the bustling cityscape. With each leap and bound, he covered ground at an astonishing speed, his senses attuned to every sound and movement around him.

'It feels liberating. Previously, I was going at a snail pace because I was drained of my Vitality. Now? The potential of this kid Krassius had to be monstrous that he was ganked by so many Vampire Lords so they could subdue him.'

'Hehe, nothing to worry about, Krassius. Your body is in good hands, I promise. I'll take this potential of yours to the Pinnacle of this World.'

Akin to a superhero traveling on his mission of defeating Evil, Carl also explored his Blood Abilities, but what he didn't think about was that as he traversed the city, his supernatural powers inadvertently triggered an alert within the Cathedral of Graz.

The Ancient Wards within the Cathedral of Graz began to stir with agitation, the Bishop felt a profound sense of unease settle over him. The sacred wards, woven with centuries of divine magic, were designed to safeguard the sanctity of the church and its surroundings from the influence of malevolent forces.

With a furrowed brow, the Bishop paused in his prayers, his attention drawn to the subtle but unmistakable shift in the energy within the cathedral. His senses, honed by years of devout service to the Church, detected the faint ripple of supernatural presence that emanated from the heart of the city.

"Something dark stirs in our midst... Have the Vampires finally moved on with their War for Authority? The Ward was set to respond to High-Level threats."

"What should I do? The Exorcists I have at my disposal are not capable of handling such danger."

"I have to act swiftly and warn the Vatican. We must act swiftly to protect our flock."

Rising from his prayer bench, the Bishop moved with purpose, his robes billowing behind him as he made his way to the sacred chamber where the wardstones with the Sigil of the Vatican were housed. Each step resonated with solemn determination as he prepared to confront the source of this disturbance head-on.

With a solemn reverence, the Bishop raised his hands towards the ancient wards, his old fingers trembling slightly, while the air crackled with latent energy as he tapped into the reservoir of his Divine Power.

"O Holy Mother, protector of the faithful, hear my plea," the Bishop intoned, his voice resonating with authority and conviction. "In this hour of need, I beseech thee to enshroud our city in thy divine embrace. Let thy light banish the shadows that seek to encroach upon our sacred domain."

As he spoke, a soft glow suffused the chamber, suffusing the air with a warm, golden light that seemed to emanate from the very walls themselves. The ancient wards responded to the Bishop's invocation, their intricate runes glowing with renewed vigor as they wove a protective barrier around the Cathedral of Graz.

"Grant us strength, O Mother, to withstand the darkness that threatens to consume us," the Bishop continued, his voice ringing out with unwavering faith. "Bless our city with thy divine protection, that we may remain steadfast in the face of adversity."

His words echoed through the hallowed halls of the cathedral, carrying his prayer to the heavens above, and from there on new changes happened, a Golden Barrier naked to the human eye spread out in the radius of 1km from the premise of the Cathedral.

Meanwhile, outside the Cathedral, Carl stopped abruptly in the face of the new changes triggered by the Holy Barrier that engulfed him, not giving him the chance of escaping out.

'What the fuck? Has the Vampire Lords found me and the Church went crazy trying to protect the City?'

'What's going, mister? Are we screwed?'

[Calm down, Carl. This is just a Holy Ward. Tsk, nothing has changed since my time, they still use defective trinkets. Stop using your blood essence for a while as those dogs fail in their search.]

'Then? Is it because of me? But… I thought I was some weakling compared to those big shots.'

[It should be fine. Take it as an opportunity to train your senses and evade a Hunt.]

Carl tried to make sense of the situation, and with Nosferatu's remarks, he came to the conclusion that the Churchmen from Graz were big pussies scared of all Supernatural Creatures, and that includes him.

'Racists. If they pick a fight with me, I'll make sure they get burned hard.'

With Carl having his own ideas about the intentions of the Church, back in the Cathedral, the Bishop swiftly retrieved his phone with a sense of urgency gnawing at him. There were only a handful of incidents when the Ancient Holy Ward activated in the past under his presiding as Bishop of Graz.

It was when Queen of the Vampires lurking in the shadows of Austria and Syria, Carmila Bloodriver, arrived in Graz for an important meeting with the Vampire Lords in the Mountains of Hochschwab. God forbid, it took the Chief Exorcist to put him at ease, saying that the Vampires still upheld their pact with the Vatican.

The old Bishop thought that it was the incidents from 10 years ago repeating all over again, with such an ominous blood essence lurking in the air. It was weaker than from that past incident, but it was better to be precocious.

'Please, God. My Lord, Jesus Christ and Holy Mother. Let it not be that witched Witch again. I almost ascended to Heaven when she confronted me for activating the Holy Barrier for 'No reasons'.'

His fingers flew over the keys as he dialed the number for the Vatican's office of the Chief Exorcist. Each ring felt like an eternity as he waited for someone to pick up on the other end.

"Vatican, Office of the Chief Exorcist," came a voice on the line, crisp and professional.

"This is Bishop Reinhardt Schönbor of Graz," the Bishop responded, his voice laced with urgency. "I need to speak with Chief Exorcist Vasco Strada immediately. It's a matter of utmost urgency."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, followed by the sound of shuffling papers. "One moment, Your Excellency," the voice replied, before the line went silent once more.

Bishop Reinhardt waited with bated breath, his heart pounding in his chest as he prayed for a swift response. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the voice returned.

"This is Chief Exorcist Strada. What happened to you Reinhardt? Has the Holy Ward activated again by accident?" came an old authoritative voice over the line. "What seems to be the problem?"

Bishop Reinhardt wasted no time in explaining the situation, his words tumbling out in a rush as he recounted the events that had transpired in the city of Graz.

"I fear that we may be facing a threat, as the news suggests. The Vampires are ready to wage a Civil War. The Carmilla Faction against the Tepes Faction." the Bishop concluded, his voice grave with concern. "I need your guidance, Chief Exorcist Strada. What should we do?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line as Vasco Strada processed the information. Then, finally, he spoke after a long sigh, his voice firm.

"Reinhardt, I will dispatch an Elite Team of Exorcists to Graz right away. Give them accommodations. And if the one who arrived in Graz is truly Carmilla Bloodriver, stop worrying for nothing. She was supposed to be visiting her son this year. Carmilla is a woman that knows accountability, she'll not kill indiscriminately."

"However, if it's not Carmilla or any other Vampire Lords and another Supernatural Creature, like a Stray Devil or a Fallen Angel, it's the job of the operatives to judge the situation." Chief Exorcist Strada declared.

"In the meantime, remain vigilant. We will handle the situation from here."

The Bishop nodded, a sense of relief flooding through him at Chief Exorcist Strada's assurances. "Thank you, Chief Exorcist Strada," he said gratefully. "Your assistance is greatly appreciated."

As the call with the Bishop of Graz ended, Chief Exorcist Vasco Strada turned his attention away from his desk and strode over to the window of his office, situated within the hallowed halls of the Vatican.

From this vantage point, he could gaze out upon the magnificent view of St. Peter's Basilica, its majestic domes and towering spires reaching towards the heavens in a song dedicated to the glory of God.

The old Exorcist, Vasco Strada stood in the dimly lit chamber of the Vatican, waiting for his proteges to arrive, so he could address them with a new mission.

'Either way, be it a Vampire or a Stray Devil, it will be a great test to gauge their progress wielding their respective Holy Swords, Mimic and Durandal.'

He wasn't in distress like the Bishop, afterall, from his point of view, the Vampires weren't a threat to the Vatican unlike how the Devils and Fallen Angels were. Still, it was better to check on the disturbance than doing nothing.

Not long after he called his proteges, two young women entered his office.

First one to step inside was a young woman with long blue hair, and deep brown eyes that hold a sense of determination within them. She was young, about 15 years old and it was visible that she was in her growth period, her features yet to mature into that of a gorgeous woman.

She was wearing her battle attire, consisting of a sleek, black, skin-tight short sleeve leotard adorned with pauldrons, paired with matching fingerless gloves that extended to her biceps, and thigh-high boots, all embellished with sturdy straps for practicality and style.

Over her battle suit, she wears a hooded cloak in white, accented with gold and blue details, and a Seal of the Vatican embroidery on the cloak's back, symbolizing her allegiance to the Vatican. A crucifix hangs around her neck, a potent symbol of her faith and dedication.

"Have you called us, Chief Vasco?" inquired the blue-haired girl, glazing at the old features of the tall elder that had the appearance of a Macho-man with his extremely developed muscular build, contradicting his advanced age.

"We're here, Ojisan. Are we sent to catch some bad monsters again?" inquired the second girl to enter the office, appearing to be the same age with the first girl, and presenting herself with a cheerful personality around her, unlike the serious demeanor of the blue-haired girl.

She was a beautiful young woman with violet eyes, long chestnut hair tied into twintails, each held with a blue scrunchy, wearing the same attire as the blue-haired girl, with only some slight differences that matched with her personality.

They got quiet when the white-haired old macho stood silent on his seat, drawing in their attention and awaiting his orders.

"Irina, Xenovia," Chief Exorcist Strada began, his voice commanding yet tinged fatherly love. "I have a new mission for the two of you, one that requires you to find the cause of a disturbance, be it triggered by a Stray Vampire, Stray Devil or Fallen Angel."

Irina and Xenovia exchanged a glance, their expressions serious as they waited for Chief Exorcist Strada to continue.

"We have received reports of supernatural activity in the city of Graz," Chief Exorcist Strada explained, his voice low. "Austria is the territory of the Vampires, but with the recent incidents between the two Main Factions of Carmilla and Tepes, a War might be brewing. I don't know when this War will happen, but it's a sign that something is going on in Austria and Romania."

"The Holy Ward in the Cathedral has triggered, and this indicates the presence of a powerful supernatural entity within the city limits. High-Class Devil powerful."

Irina's eyes widened slightly at the news, an being with the power of a High-Class Devil, it wasn't common for the apprentice Exorcists to tackle such job, but that was for normal Exorcists, she and Xenovia were the protegees of the Chief Exorcist.

On the other hand, Xenovia remained stoic in the face of the news, her gaze steady as she listened intently to Chief Exorcist Strada's words.

"We cannot allow this threat to go unchecked," Chief Exorcist Strada continued, his tone unwavering. "Irina, Xenovia, I am tasking the two of you with investigating the situation in Graz. Your mission is to assess the threat level, identify the source of the supernatural activity, and neutralize it by any means necessary."

Irina and Xenovia nodded in understanding, their expressions resolute as they prepared themselves for the task ahead.

"This will not be an easy mission, girls. Don't take this mission lighting no matter what." Chief Exorcist Strada cautioned, his voice grave, only to lighten up in a gentle tone. "But I have every confidence in your abilities."

With that, Chief Exorcist Strada dismissed Irina and Xenovia, leaving them to prepare for their journey to Graz and the dangers that awaited them there.

Outside of the office, Irina couldn't contain her excitement as she grasped Xenovia's hands, her violet eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Xenovia, can you believe it? We're going on a mission outside of Italy! This is going to be so much fun!"

Xenovia raised an eyebrow, her expression more reserved compared to Irina's exuberance. "Irina, it's just another mission," she remarked dryly. "We've traveled outside of Italy before."

"Stay focused. Don't forget that we might face our first High-Class opponent."

"Of course, of course," Irina agreed, nodding fervently. "But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the experience, right? I mean, just think about all the new places we'll get to see, the people we'll meet..."

Xenovia's lips twitched into a small smile. "You do have a point," she admitted. "And I suppose a change of scenery wouldn't hurt. Just try to keep your excitement in check, okay? We still have a job to do."

Irina grinned, squeezing Xenovia's hands affectionately. "Don't worry, I'll make sure to rein it in... at least until we're off duty," she teased, her eyes sparkling mischievously.

Xenovia rolled her eyes, but there was a fondness in her gaze as she looked at her cheerful companion. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Irina," she replied, her tone affectionate. "Let's make this mission a success."

#A/N: Hey guys, thanks for following and favoriting the story, in general, reading the story. Makes me want to write more at the story based on the feedback. Reviews wise, not much to tackle, but there's always a point to start from. Anyway, I received a question that I want to address shortly.

Q: I don't know what Rias G., Serafall L., Elmenhilde above imply ... + some warning that he didn't understand what the harem was, and Jeanne's introduction being meaningless and very turning off.

A:Let me start with your first part, those 3 girls from above implies that they will be part of whatever Harem, Carl forms, but since with the settings of the story being crossover with Highschool DxD/X-over, I'm constrained only to 3 options and mainly from DxD. This is my explanation on this point.

Now let me backtrack a bit with Jeanne, well, yeah, she's OC (original character), but I see no problem in adding an OC to an Harem, especially based on the circumstances of the starting plot with Carl being in Austria. He needs to feed to survive. Yep. Once he's going to Japan that's when I'll not rely much on OCs and begin introducing characters from Rosario, New Sis Devil, Beelzebub and so on. And besides, bringing the Exorcists in this chapter might explain that I'm not self-centered on my OCs. *Trust guys, I also want to get to Japan and have fun, lol*.

Hope I didn't come across as triggered, not that I care. Everything is chill. See you with the next chap, tomorrow, maybe.