Don X Don (High School DxD Miracle Child SI Chapter 7)

"How is this gonna work?" Milo asked, leaning forward in his chair, with his expression...strangely absent. "Because for one, I'm not gonna run around saying 'I'm the Miracle Child' and blatantly lie like that. Not to mention hurt Rachelle by-actually why isn't she here for this?"

Xenovia blinked, taken aback. She had never seen Milo with a blank face before. Is this a sign that he's a spy or that he's not?

"No, of course we're not gonna tell others that, or to start treating you differently. Rather that, should this place be found by Devils or Fallen, the sisters and other priests and I, would work to make it seem like you're the more important target, while secretly running away with the real Miracle Child, and thus divert the attackers attention toward you." Father Cornelius explained.

Milo lightly snorted. "Planned incompetence?" He said under his breath.

"Exactly that, yes." Father Cornelius nodded, having heard him. "And I have yet propose this idea to Lady Rachelle, as nothing would work without your cooperation on this. I would never deem to force you to take up this holy mission, Milo. This whole operation hinges on you, on you agree to go along with it to protect, Lady Rachelle." Father Cornelius said with a heavy heart. "So...what's your answer?"

"Okay, hmm, seems...okay so far, and it's only in the worst case scenario if the Devils or Fallen find this place out, right?" Milo said slowly, holding his chin in thought.

"Of course." Father Cornelius exclaimed, smiling at seeing Milo consider his plan. "And obviously you'd have your own escape route, but it would just take longer for you to lose the enemies that follow you, to secure Lady Rachelle's escape."

"Hmm, alright." Milo slowly nodded. "I don't see a problem with that. So, let's go see Rachelle and Griselda and talk to them-"

"Ah, one thing thought, Milo." Father Cornelius spoke up. Milo narrowed his eyes a bit. "In order for this plan to work, I ask that you cease interacting with Lady Rachelle."

"What? Why?" Xenovia was the one who spoke this time, while Milo just raised an eyebrow.

"It would be very odd for our enemies to see the real Miracle Child and the fake hanging out together. They might just decide to target both, just in case. By having you both be separate, it would sell the illusion that you're the real Miracle Child better. The one whose in the dark and away from the spotlight, is clearly the mysterious prize, the real one after all. At least that's what I assume those evil creatures to think about this."

Xenovia slowly nodded, seeing the merit in this planning. Yet...she knew how important Milo's friendship was to Lady Rachelle, she wasn't sure if they should fully go with this.

But, but it was for Lady Rachelle's safety. Surely that's more important, right?

Xenovia looked toward Milo waiting for his answer, not sure which option she wish for him to go with.

"Can I have some time to think about it?" Milo finally said.

"Of course." Father Cornelius nodded.

"Xenovia," Milo suddenly addressed her, making her blink in surprise. "Can you please come spar with me?"

"That's not the path to the training ground." Xenovia said, following next to Milo, who was walking with a determined stride.

"We're going to Sister Griselda." Milo said, making Xenovia's eye widen.

"Wait, you can't! Father Cornelius had yet to tell her of this plan." Xenovia exclaimed, but made no move to stop Milo.

"She's gonna know either way, so might as well. Plus I want to ask her a few things." Milo said nothing else, and Xenovia offered no more protests.

Father Cornelius didn't tell them not to tell Sister Griselda early, but...should they? Wouldn't that be going around the father? Isn't that bad?

Before she could think on these questions further, they reached the library, where Sister Griselda was organizing and preparing books for tomorrow's lessons.

"Sister Griselda, can we please talk to you for a moment?" Milo spoke up.

"Oh, of course, little Milo..." Sistser Griselda spoke in her usual calm cheerful manner, only to stop once she saw the look on Milo's face. "How about we talk in my room? Let me finish up here, and then we'll go."

"We'll help." Milo immediately said.

"We'll..." Xenovia blinked when she saw Milo take the initiative from her. His proactivity was just throwing her off.

All too quickly the books were organized, and the trio were on their way.

"Alright, Milo, what do want to drink? Xenovia, I'll get you some lemonade as usual." Sister Griselda said with a gentle smile.

"Ah, no, Sister Griselda-" Xenovia was met with a subtle glare. "I mean, mother, there's no need."

"Lemonade it is, and you, Milo?" Sister Griselda continued uninterrupted.

"Same, with milk and honey please." Milo nodded.

Glasses made and given to the children, Sister Griselda waited patiently for them to talk to her.

"We just came from Father Cornelius'." Milo began.

"Ah, that silly plan of his." Sister Griselda sighed, while placing a hand on her cheek.

"Y-You knew?" Xenovia said with wide-eyes, feeling sort of relieved that they haven't went behind Father Cornelius' back after all.

"Smart." Milo said under his breath. Looks like Father Cornelius anticipated Milo's reactions.

"Of course. There's no way, that idea of his would go without me knowing about it. He told me, and I said to him it's not likely to work, as it requires this places location to be found out to begin with. But he's sure that it will inevitably happen, so it's better to prepare for it." She said.

"Seem pessimistic, but better have a plan than not." Milo shrugged.

"Do you understand what his idea truly entails?" Sister Griselda said with a serious look. "His plan is ultimately to protect the Miracle Child by staging the 'death' of one, so no one would look for that child any longer."

Xenovia's eyes widened in shock, as Father Cornelius didn't mention that. Milo raised an eyebrow, then nodded.

"And if I survive I'll have a target on my back for the rest of my life, while Rachelle stays safe in obscurity." He said nodding to himself.

"...Yes." Sister Griselda frowned, as if eating a sour lemon.

"Sister Griselda, what do you think of Father Cornelius?" Milo asked out of the blue.

"Eh?" Sister Griselda blinked in surprise, and Xenovia tilted her head at the question. "He's a good priest and good Artificer, he does his work well, and is a kind made that deeply loves God and Heaven."

"So..." Milo took a moment to think. "He's very virtuous person and all, right?"

"What? How could you ask-" Xenovia was shocked at the question.

"Well, I would say so." Sister Griselda nodded. "For example, I remember Father Galilei once proposed a horrendous plan to make more Holy Sword Wielders, but Father Cornelius was one of those who vehemently opposed it."

"What plan?" Xenovia asked.

"It's too horrible to talk about, but the important thing is, Father Cornelius was one of those who opposed it." Sister Griselda said.

"Hmm, and where is this Father Galilei now?" Milo wondered.

"Oh, he's been assigned to some faraway church in Australia, for holding mass and giving sermons duty, for offending the Cardinals with his proposal." Sister Griselda said dismissively.

"Huh." Milo nodded and grew quiet for a moment. His eyes then widened. "One last thing," Milo spoke. "What was Father Cornelius' reason for rejecting Father Galilei's proposal?"

Sister Griselda thought for a moment. "I believe he cited that such a plan was simply too inefficient and causes more harm and good from the design of it, as anything that could be gained from it, will be gained by suffering that would taint the faith of the believers. Also that such sacrifices of that project wouldn't matter as gaining more Holy Sword Wielders, wasn't enough to strengthen the Church or Heaven as more well trained and well armed Exorcists, or better a stronger Heaven's presence."

"Father Cornelius." Xenovia smile, feeling touched by the father's kindness and compassion.

"Oooh! Too pious. So that's what this is." Milo muttered.

"Either way," Sister Griselda shook her head, getting the topic back on track. "Father Cornelius' plan is just too heartless and-"

"I'm gonna go with it." Milo said abruptly.

"You are?" Xenovia looked at Milo in shock. She thought she knew him, but...he really does care about Lady Rachelle. When it really matters he'll step up. Xenovia mentally vowed to try and be more diligent like Milo was.

"What? Child, you don't need-"

"But I want to." Milo nodded. "Besides, his is just a contingency plan. There should be something like this from the start." Sister Griselda looked conflicted. "So there's nothing to worry about. Let's go talk with Father Cornelius and Rachelle."

Unlike what Xenovia and Sister Griselda expected, Milo didn't head to gather Father Cornelius and meet up with Lady Rachelle but...brought his hand together.

"What are you doing?" Xenovia asked.

"Praying for our safety and success." Milo said with his eyes closed.

"Oh, right...wait what?"

"No! Absolutely not! Besides shouldn't it be-" Rachelle violently rejected the plan.

"Lady Rachelle please, I understand your distress." Father Cornelius spoke. "But this is all for your safety. Milo himself agreed to this."

"Milo, are you sure?" Sister Griselda asked again.

"Of course," Milo said with a wide grin, that made Rachelle flinch and look hurtful. "Besides, this is all play-pretend anyways. Just because we have to act like we don't interact with each other, doesn't mean, we really have to stop hanging out." Rachelle smiled again before looking confused. Sister Griselda found herself endeared by Milo's words, while Xenovia shared in Rachelle's confusion. Only Father Cornelius looked a bit concerned. "What that means is, we have to do it in secret. We have to be sneaky like ninjas."

Rachelle's eyes lit up in curiosity and excitement.

"Sister Griselda, can you train us in stealth?" Asked Rachelle.

"I can teach some things, but I'm afraid my specialty doesn't lean toward stealth mainly." Sister Griselda apologized.

"Maybe we can ask Lady Gabriel when she visits next if she knows someone." Milo offered.

"Ah, about that," Father Cornelius spoke. "We should also request Lady Gabriel to limit or outright stop her visits so as to obscure Lady Rachelle's location."

Rachelle look heart-struck by that, but forced any sadness down.

"That works then!" Milo exclaimed to Rachelle's shock. "That mean Lady Gabriel can join in on our ninja training, when she get someone to train me, Rachelle and Xenovia in stealth."

"Y-Yes! That's perfect! Of course Mother would know the best ninja trainers." Rachelle beamed.

Milo bit back a snort. "Wouldn't that be something if she actully knew someone." He couldn't stop his grin though.

And so the group was in agreement on the plan. Only Father Cornelius looked hesitant that things deviated like that, but smiled in support to Rachelle's safety all the same.