Don X Don (High School DxD Miracle Child SI Chapter 14)

"So I ask Milo, will you take on this holy mission in the name of God?" Father Cornelius said, finishing his speech.

I only had one thought in my head.

Bruh, are you for real?

Now granted, I probably shouldn't immediately jump to thinking this is an elaborate attempted murder. I mean, come on dude, you were there the day I was born.

But this really does leave two options, either this is some convoluted anime scheme bullshit, that any rational person would look at and think 'this is dumb'.

Or, this really was a murder attempt.

If it's the first I would just complain 'this is Church incompetence'.

If it's the second however, that leaves the question of 'why?'. Because no matter how bullshit or weak, there is still going to be a reason. So what is that reason?

I need to investigate this to be sure. What is the benefit to me dying? Surely the dude realizes that would fuck up Rachelle and others if that happened. Would Gabriel Fall? Should I have not given her hope by interacting with her and showing her I'm happy-

No. None of that stupid 'I'm staying away to protect you' bullshit.

In fact, let's not stay away, let's lean in.

He wants me to stop hanging out with Rachelle? Fine, malicious compliance it is.

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

"Of course." Father Cornelius nodded.

I left the room with the excuse of wanting to spar with Xenovia so she would follow me. Yeah no, I'm not having bullshit misunderstandings with Miss Unga Bunga. I don't want to be stabbed by Durandal.

So after we found Sister Griselda, we helped her cleaning up some stuff and went to her room.

"We just came from Father Cornelius'." I said.

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

Wait, she knew? Wait, no, it's smart of him to cover his bases and tell her. Of course, this is only in the case of being a malicious actor. If he's a competent member of the Church, then he wouldn't want miscommunications and misunderstandings.

So I dug in, but as I asked Griselda about Corn Corn's plan, well, it was basically the original plan for me. Why did he tell it to me and Xenovia, albeit with a different context, on who's the Miracle Child and who's the decoy?

Griselda told me about Cornelius rejecting Holy Sword Project Crazy Guy's plan, as proof of him being a good guy, but...this feels like one of those situations where a character assumes someone's a good guy.

All of it is too...convenient.

The fact that Griselda says the plan is 'stage' the death of a Miracle Child...are they seriously saying the plan is to kill Rachelle to perfectly hide me? Which would of course all be revealed in a later season in an anime, and the whole world and cast finds out with no one batting an eyelash other than gasping in horror in that one episode this information is revealed. Fucking anime edgy backstories.

God, I'm getting a headache from all the 'I know, but they don't know that I know', I'm running in my head to filter what they're saying and planning.

"Hmm, and where is this Father Galilei now?" I wondered. The Holy Sword Project should be going now, right? I should do something about that. Wait, it should be early enough that it only just started, right?

"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.

...Ooookay. So Galilei totally went ahead on his own, unsurprised to do the Holy Sword Project, while making everyone who asks thinks he's in Australia.

Yeah, I'm just gonna have to directly pray to Mom and tell her about this.

No, before I get distracted, I need something more specific on Cornelius' character.

"One last thing," I spoke that unintentionally is about to stumble on the truth, that another character was gonna get away with. "What was Father Cornelius' reason for rejecting Father Galilei's proposal?"

"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 said in awe next to me, while the eureka moment hit me like a lightning bolt.

"Oooh! Too pious. So that's what this is." I said under my breath.

If you look at it from a strictly pragmatic cold hearted point of view, where only results matter, then of course Father Cornelius would take the actions he took.

The Church and the Heaven Factions were always viewed as the 'weakest' faction in DxD and by its fandom, and the most internally corrupt (as if the Devil and Fallen aren't actually the same in that regard). They only had type advantage of Holy Power, and that's immediately forgotten after an episode or two.

So, if you're part of the Church, and you want them to win, then first you need to make sure they don't lose more of their current resources. Which at its most basic is believers and their faith, and torturing children, even if they give you more Christian supersoliders is a fucking bad move. In the end it would just cause more people to lose their faith in God, even if the Church can more readily use their Holy Swords.

So, what does Father Cornelius do? Reject the fuck out of Galilei's proposal.

And what about me? I'm Gabriel's son, which even if I don't really contemplate or understand the significance of, would be really damn important to the Church and Heaven, if not for future firepower, then for morale.

So why want to kill me-?

Wait.

No, that's not the right question.

Why separate me from Rachelle? If he truly had a problem with this, then he would have brought it up before.

What changed?

...The first time I met Mom. Specifically when she asked me what I pray for.

When I said that I don't pray for things, I don't ask God for help, other than a little luck.

Yeah, a few nuns, or fathers tried to lecture me to change my view point, but I just didn't want to be depended on God for what I already had, or something I can do. Thank Him in order keep myself grounded yes, but ask for stuff? I don't see the point.

Father Cornelius did half-heartedly talk to me about this once. Or at least I thought it was half-hearted, he might have been serious.

So, with my views clashing with other believer's faith, naturally Cornelius would want to separate me from everyone else.

Especially Rachelle.

Her own prayers, her faith is a big part of her Sacred Gear.

But wait, why does it matter? She doesn't need to build up Holy Power from prayer, when she has so much excess from me.

...But how the 'Miracle Child' acts would affect others, as they would follow her example.

So if Rachelle started to be more lax in prayer like me, in as pray in front of others and on things Church approved, others might copy her. Which might affect the faith Heaven gets to keep running, which might affect God's System.

Overdramatic much? Maybe, but this is DxD.

Alright, so the whole scheme is just to keep me away from Rachelle, so as not to lower the believer's piety and faith.

I can respect that.

I can also call this whole thing horseshit, because he has no evidence of that.

I mean, Rachelle is basically bursting and leaking my faith, even if it's not the usual 'God please fix everything in my life' stuff.

So yeah, I getcha Corn Corn, but I'm gonna mess up your plans.

First things first though.

"What are you doing?" Xenovia asked, wide-eyed at seeing me holding my hands in a prayer gesture.

"Praying for our safety and success."

Oh Lady Gabriel, I just learned about this scary guy called Father Galilei and can't help but wonder if he's doing bad things away from the Church's eyes. Can you please reassure me that he's not doing some scary experiments on kids to wield Holy Swords?

Rachelle naturally opposed the plan, but once I played things right, and switched it up to all of us being 'in on it' and working together, she was happy to go along with it.

The fact that Mom would be even more included in things likely annoyed Cornelius, but I'm sure it would have a positive effect on Mom and Rachelle in the long run, so tough luck, Corn Corn.

Still, I can't help this itch in the back of my mind, that I don't have everything figured out yet.

"Hey Rachelle," I asked, as she, I and Xenovia were sitting on the roof, 'practicing' hiding away. It may or may not have been my idea. "Do you like Father Cornelius? Do you think he's too strict or something?"

"Hmm? What? No, Father Cornelius is very kind, he's actually pretty gentle and lenient if you study well in his lessons. You should see how kind his smile is when playing with the children in the play ground. You're likely finding him harsh, because you never attend the Sunday lessons."

"Not my fault the fathers make the Bible stories boring." I said reflexively.

""Hey!"" Both Rachelle and Xenovia said at me, to which I just chuckled.

I didn't put much stock in Father Cornelius being kind just because he's nice to kids.

'Guy kind to kids being secretly evil' is basically an anime cliche staple at this point.

This still doesn't tell me much.

"He was also praising you for how long your Blessings now last, Lady Rachelle." Xenovia pointed out.

"Ah! T-That's..." Rachelle started to look nervous now. Her eyes would flick to me, be filled with guilt and look away, before she did it again.

So this is related to my angel powers.

"Her Blessings are lasting longer?" I asked.

"It's nothing really that big." Rachelle said waving her arms.

"You are truly a saint for your humility, Lady Rachelle. But it is really 'that big'." Xenovia said and turned to me. "As Lady Rachelle's powers grew, and as she gained more wings as a sign of her devotion and piety to God, her Blessings and healing grew by great magnitudes. At first her Blessing would last an hour or so. But when she gained her second pair of wings, they would last at minimum six hours, to even a whole day. Then with her third pair, they last a few days to a week. Then with her four pair, they'd last from a few weeks to months. Now as a ten winged angel-"

"H-Half angel," Rachelle said weakly while looking down to hide her eyes.

"As a ten winged Miracle Child, we don't actually know how long Lady Rachelle's Blessing last. Only that they do away when one gravely sins." Xenovia said with a serious look, as she remembered some of the Exorcists who that happened to, and were investigated and punished. Then she smiled again, as she moved on from that thought. "Her healing has now grown even beyond the newest Holy Maiden, Asia Argento."

"Please stop," Rachelle covered her red face with her hands.

"No, it truly is amazing. You're amazing, Lady Rachelle. You're healing is so strong that there is nothing in this world you can't cure, be if physical injure, diseases, or even magical alignments. You are truly Heaven's blessing upon this earth."

Rachelle's shoulders were shaking. Xenovia likely thought she was crying in joy from so much praise, but I could see the guilt eating at her.

I pulled Rachelle toward me and hugged her.

"Huh?" Rachelle blinked in surprise.

"H-Hey, what are you-I told you to stop touching Lady Rachelle so casually!" Xenovia said, and moved to pull me away, but I gestured for her to wait, before looking pointedly at the crying Rachelle, so Xenovia would calm down till I'm done comforting her.

The confused Xenovia relented, but eyed me like a hawk, waiting in case I acted offensively toward the Miracle Child somehow.

"I'm proud of you," I told Rachelle whose breath hitched, as a flush overtook her face. I started stroking her head, while getting her to calm down. "Your Sacred Gear and abilities grew, but you managed to help so many people, and Exorcists protecting humanity with your powers. That's nothing to scoff at, so good job."

"Its, its just power I have." She mumbled.

"Yes, but how you use it matters, and you used it well, so take pride in the good work you did." I said and let her rest her head against my chest for a while, before she pushed me away in tsundere flusteredness.

I just laughed off this usual antics and scenario.

Rachelle's Sacred Gear's power grew that much, and as far as I know, she hasn't achieved Balance Breaker yet.

If her powers are like that now, then what about when she fully master them. What about if she gets her sixth pair of wings?

Of course I stopped my Netero training, as the influx of Holy Power Rachelle now contained was causing her pain.

So, other than daily sprinting, I stopped my training till Gabriel arrives with what I hope, is our ninja teacher.

More importantly than anything else, I think I might have found an actual reason for why Father Cornelius might want me dead

"Everyone, I'd like to introduce you to my brother, Metatron." Gabriel said, smiling in amusement at my, Rachelle's and Xenovia's expressions as we looked around the empty room in confusion.

"What brother?" I asked, while trying to hide a grin.

Uncle Metatron was gonna do the 'Suddenly Shinobi' thing, wasn't he?

"Mother," Rachelle elbowed me without looking. "Where's Lord Metatron?"

"Right here, de gozaru." Metatron spoke from behind us.

"AAAAHH!" The girls shouted as they jumped in fright.

"Holy shit, he actually says 'de gozaru'! Hahahahahaha!" I genuinely forgot that he's so into ninja culture, he says the stereotypy phrase.

I laughed even harder at seeing his pose, of his hands together in some hand gesture ninja seal. Honestly the only thing left was some 'nin nin' sound effect to happen in the background.

"I appreciate the enthusiasm, de gozaru." He smiled at me, before looking at me, Rachelle and Xenovia seriously. "However your situational awareness needs much more work. Some more than others. Rachelle-kun, Xenovia-kun." He said pointedly.

Okay, the suffix are gonna get old fast.

"W-Wait, but, but..." Xenovia looked like someone kicked her puppy, as she looked from me to Metatron.

"Lord Metatron, why is Milo not included?" Rachelle asked.

"While he did not know were I was, Milo-kun did anticipate my presence." Metatron said to the surprise of the two girls, before they then looked at me with wide-eyes and tilted their heads.

Oi, I do have my moments you know.

At my pouty face at the whole interaction, Gabriel ended up giggling, drawing attention to her.

"A-hem," she coughed in her hand. "So Brother Metatron-"

"Sensei," Metatron said with a firm nod.

"Very well," Gabriel smiled and nodded, playing along. "Metatron-Sensei, what should we start with first?"

"First of course," suddenly there were folded clothes on a table nearby for me, the girls and mom. "Is attire. Clothes makes the man or woman after all. And thus they would be the first step, do gozaru."

I didn't have a problem with the baggy black shirt and pants, that need to be wrapped with black clothe at the end.

I did however question if Metatron was right in the head, in having Gabriel, Rachelle and Xenovia wear taimanin-like skin suits.

"Um, is it suppose to be this tight?" Rachelle asked.

"Hmm, it's a lot like the Exorcist uniforms, and does offer excellent range of motion." Xenovia commented, bouncing and moving around a bit, and thus 'other' things were noticeably moving around.

"Ara, did I do it right?" Asked Gabriel as she would spin here and there to show us, her suit. With all of her curves and bust and hips. Those were noticeable also with Rachelle and Xenovia now that I think about it...

...Fuck me, puberty was here.

Also good job, Uncle Metatron.

"God damn." I could help but say as Metatron delivered the news on why Gabriel had been gone from out last training session.

"I would say 'do not use Father's name in vain', but yes I do agree. Gabriel's actions were worthy of a shinobi." Metatron nodded.

"I don't think arriving like a bomb to the middle of an evil experiments' hideout, really counts as 'sneaking in'." I said.

It's been more than six month since our 'ninja' training started with Metatron. It was more normal than expected in the beginning, related to situational awareness, sensing our surroundings and lowering our presence. Then some obstacle courses that we had to do in silence, and not get caught by moving flashlights, like its a videogame.

Then Metatron really ramp up the difficulty once we got the 'basics' down.

"If no one expected, or saw your assault coming, and didn't realize who you were till you were done, would you not count that as sneaking in, de gozaru ka?" Metatron asked a rhetorical question.

"No!" And I gave a rhetorical answer.

"Well, she wore her kunoichi outfit, so it counts, de gozaru." Metatron crossed his arms, and nodded to himself.

"She did what!?" Okay, now I know why the rogue church mad scientists weren't able to respond to Gabriel's blitzkrieg attack in time.

"Indeed. Now," Metatron then turned serious. "About your own training." Once Rachelle, Xenovia and I finished our basic training, and the intermediate stuff, Metatron started having individual session with each of us, so he would work on expanding on our strength. "I believe the shinobi art most suited to you is...taijutsu, desu!"

...Wow. So unexpected. Didn't see that coming.

However there was something else I wanted to work on.

"Actually, I was wondering if it's okay if I go back to my old training?" I said with a sheepish look. I appreciate him taking the time to teach me, but other than stealth, I really just wanted to 'finish' my Netero training, whatever that looks like.

"Oh? I thought you have given up on the prayer-focused strengthening training?" He asked.

"Interesting that you know that-"

"Gathering information on your would-be student is normal for a shinobi." He said a bit too hastily.

"Of course." I nodded.

I took a moment to think about what I wanted to ask next.

The thing is we were currently alone, hidden in the nearby mountains, and so Metatron and I can training one-on-one, and without interference. His words.

Bu for me, this isolation offered a different possibility. The chance to have someone on my side who knew that I knew about the Miracle Child Decoy plan, and to help me acquire important information that I need.

So how to do break this to him?

"Say Uncle Metatron, do you know how to make a barrier that sends faith energy straight to Heaven?"

"Of course, making such a magic ward is the basics of basics for an Angel...What did you call me?" Uncle Metatron slowly turned to me with wide-eyes.

"Did you know that mom's vagina smelled of mulberries? I know, because I remember being squeezed out of that." I was glad to finally have someone to share all my trauma with.

AN: I was in the mood, so have a mini-chapter.