Welcome to the next chapter of The Twin Dragons, but before starting. Let us answer some reviews:
The5Reds: Thanks. I do love writing scenes between Kazuki and Irina since their entire dynamic is plain adorable. Believe me, I have more scenes planned for the two of them.
Altair95: Thanks. Yes, Kuroka was being Kuroka but gave him some honest advice for a change without teasing him much. Those two have last been reunited with one another, although, a kiss was impossible, because of a prompt interruption. Mariah found out that her older brother was alive and Kiba was able to reunite with his younger sister. Not much could be changed about their meeting aside from just a couple of details. Well, it's difficult for him to get over what happened to him and his friends.
LockDown: I will be keeping both of those for the new forms that Kazuki will attain in the future. It will make more sense for him to be fighting against Euclid for different reasons. Yea, their relationship will be interesting, to say the least.
Bloodborne: Well, the reason that I redoing The Twin Dragons was that I started adding in different sources without a reason and wanted to make this one more original.
Anonymous: Thanks. Yes, I think that their relationship is the most romantic and emotional than I've ever done out of all my stories. She will be a serious rival for people such as Asia, but she would be in second place in the harem. Well, he'll have to get used to the idea of a harem at some point since that's the most obvious path for him.
Dreadknight12: Yep, this is where things start picking up, and thanks. I thought that all trials with them will make sense considering most people would be after them for their looks.
1. No the teams won't be the same as the previous one since I thought that I added other characters from another series that didn't fit High School DxD. So, it'll be different here.
2. I have an idea for another sword that Kazuki will be receiving instead since I didn't want to give him a holy sword just because Issei has one.
3. He won't be having Dragon Slayer Magic this time around, but I might have an idea of something that he might be used instead.
The Excalibur Hunters
"So, how did things turn out like this?"
Mariah questioned laughing nervously.
At the moment, she, Xenovia, and Irina all found themselves standing inside of a barrier constructed by Rias and Akeno assisted by Asia too. Standing before the three of them were Kazuki, Kiba, and Issei, the usually calm and collected Knight was leaking killing intent. Outside of the barrier the others ranging from Rias, Akeno, and Asia. It was a three-on-three battle that would be contained inside of the constructed barrier.
"Well, I believe that it started by Yuuto-kun challenging Xenovia to a fight. Xenovia, in turn, wanted to test out the strength of Rias-senpai's servants, which stirred up her competitive nature," Kazuki replied as Mariah laughed in response to hearing that and Rias seeming offended about that. "And that's how Nii-san ended up getting roped into it since he probably wants to show off too."
"Hey!"
Similar to Rias, Issei looked offended about that too.
"And how did we get involved?"
Mariah asked amused in response to Kazuki's reply who continued with his explanation.
"Yea, it'd kinda be lame if I didn't end up getting involved after saying all that stuff inside of the Occult Research Club room. And simply remain on the sidelines watching it all," Kazuki replied after shrugging his shoulders. "But, I wouldn't dream of fighting against Iri-chan in any situation."
"Aw, Kazu-chan~"
Irina seemed flustered and infatuated after hearing those words from him as she held her hands together.
"And Yuuto-kun wouldn't want to fight against his own sister and that's pretty much the synopsis," Kazuki said as he finished his explanation as Mariah found herself stifling a bit from laughter due to how he ended it. "But, I don't have to be worried about you doing anything inappropriate to Iri-chan, right, Nii-san?"
Kazuki aimed serious eyes towards his older brother knowing his current method for fighting against women and the situation involving what's under their white cloaks. Issei almost shuttered under the pressure being released by Kazuki causing him to realize that he was being nothing less than serious about this.
"I got it," Issei exclaimed defensively waving around his hands erratically. "Geez, you're leaking out just as much killing intent as Kiba here. But, if the situation called for it…."
"What was that?"
"N-Nothing, just a joke."
Issei immediately relented after sensing the killing intent sent in his direction is greater than before.
"Well, we might as well get this over with."
"Right, Mari-chan~"
At that moment, the three girls all tossed aside their white clothes, revealing the black combat outfit that Kazuki had caught Irina wearing. Issei had found himself staring with perverted eyes at Xenovia and Irina (on instinct), it made it far easier to see their womanly curves due to their black skintight combat outfits. But, surprisingly, Mariah dressed in a combat outfit similar to the one Freed previously wore, but more modified for a woman.
"What, did you expect something else?"
Kazuki could hear that Mariah was speaking to him teasingly while placing her hand in front of her mouth. Since he met Mariah, it seemed as if she was more of a normal teenage girl more than Xenovia and also Irina.
"No, I was just surprised is all."
"Well, Iri-chan and Xenovia might be comfortable with it, but I couldn't really get used to it. More so, since it even means that you don't wear underwear underneath it," Mariah mumbled embarrassed after thinking about the first and last time that she wore the same outfit, but she was sure that Kazuki didn't hear that part. "I asked someone responsible in the alchemist department making the uniforms to alter the priest uniform for me. So, Isaiah doesn't your little sister look cute in this?"
Hearing Mariah's joking and cheerful tone, Kiba's mood lessened a little bit as he started laughing in response to his twin sister asking him that question. Kazuki was wondering whether or not she did that on purpose after she'd realized his current mindset might be fatal for him.
"Even if it's just a match, be cautious of the holy swords! Kazuki is one thing, but if a devil were to be scratched it will end up being a fatal wound!"
Rias warning was more directed at Issei who is a low-class devil with demonic power lesser than a child, so just a scratch from Excalibur might end up damaging him more.
"Y-Yes."
Issei replied.
"He might be thinking about that video Rias-senpai showed him."
Kazuki thought about the video that Rias showed Issei before the match started, which had depicted a battle with a high-class devil and a holy sword user. In the video, it showed the holy sword user slashing the devil causing a smoking wound before said wounded area vanished. Although, it showed an accurate depiction of a holy sword, as well as how can affect even high-class devils. There was one thing that went through Kazuki's head.
"Who was recording that battle in the first place," Kazuki thought again as he wondered who would record a high-class devil being wounded by a holy sword user. "And why would the battle be recorded unless someone thought I'd be a what not to do?"
As Kazuki was thinking thought and Issei was scared of being cut by a holy sword, Kiba activated Sword Birth as a demonic sword was created in his hand and several others around him. He didn't know whether it was because of Mariah's presence, but Kiba was just the slightest bit calmer even in front of Excalibur.
"Right in front of me is the one thing that I've wanted nothing more to defeat and break. I once heard that being near a devil and dragon may cause various powers to gather. But, for me to encounter it this early."
"I heard that Mariah's brother had Sword Birth, which allows him to create any demonic sword they can imagine. It's supposed to be unique among demon sword-related sacred gears."
Xenovia said as she retrieved Excalibur Destruction from its wrappings and prepared it in her hands as the battle between her and Kiba seemed to be preparing to commence. It was obvious enough that aside from Kazuki and Issei, the two of them had the most animosity. But, their sharp eyes were directed at one another as if looking for the most suitable chance to attack one another.
"Hyoudou Issei-kun."
Irina appeared to have been waving her hand in an attempt to catch his attention. Issei turned his attention at the chestnut-haired girl who was now holding Excalibur Mimic, which had turned into a katana in her hands.
"Huh?"
Issei asked confused about the reason that she called him.
"I was shocked to see that one of the friends that I haven't seen in such a long time had turned into a devil," Irina started as she seemed to start getting emotional. "I was happy that I was able to return to my hometown after all this time and reunite with my precious Kazu-chan and friend. But, now several shocking things have occurred since returning here."
"Ummmm, Shidou Irina…. Can I call you Irina," Issei asked as Irina nodded her head causing him to scratch the side of his cheek not knowing how to react to her cheerfulness. "Uh, I don't think that we have to fight like this. I really don't want to fight the girl that Kazuki has had the biggest crush on since childhood."
"H-Hey?!"
Kazuki seemed embarrassed as that was bluntly brought up and Irina appeared to be the same in that regard.
"Oh, pitiful Hyoudou Issei-kun. No, I'll call you, Ise-kun since I've known you for a long time," Issei looked on with a weird expression as Mariah and Kazuki seemed to have found the entire thing adorable. "I traveled to England because I found out that I could use holy swords, and I thought that I could become a representative of God! Ah, this might also be a trail from God! The land that I haven't been back to in so long! A harsh destiny where one of my childhood friends has turned into a devil! The way time moves is harsh! But by moving forward, I will turn into someone with a true belief in God! Now Ise-kun! I will give judgment to you with this Excalibur! Amen!"
""Ah, Iri-chan.""
Kazuki and Mariah sighed smiling lightly at Irina's energetic response despite being in the middle of a battle.
"I don't actually know what you are on about. But! Activate Boosted Gear!"
[Boost!]
Issei posed as he brought out Boosted Gear, which let out the usual announcement upon activation.
After seeing Boosted Gear right in front of their eyes, Xenovia, Irina, and Mariah looked shocked after seeing one more Longinus in this country.
"Another Longinus."
Irina uttered after seeing Boosted Gear on Issei's arm.
"Is that the Boosted Gear?"
Mariah added.
"For the Welsh Dragon and the Vanishing Dragon to be inside of the same country as one another," Xenovia said in an astonished tone, but there was one thing that she found the most surprising of all. "No, the biggest surprise is that the hosts of the Red and White Dragons, destined rivals ended up being twin brothers. But, one ended up being a devil and the other a believer, this is might be the sign of incomprehensible for this era."
"You will hurt yourself if your attention is on Ise-kun and Kazuki-kun!"
Kiba took this opportunity to charge in at Xenovia using one of his demonic swords, but she reacted to this timed assault and blocked it using Excalibur Destruction. The clash between both demonic and holy swords resulting in sparks between both blades.
"Twilight Healing, Sword Birth, Boosted Gears, and Divine Dividing. All four of them are Sacred Gears, which have been considered heresy to us. Maybe it was natural for you to turn into a devil and follow paths that go against the Church's teachings."
"No, this power of mine is also the power of my comrades' hatred, who were all killed while filled with regret. I will defeat those who wield Excalibur with this power and destroy that Excalibur."
"Don't think that it'll be an easy feat."
Both Xenovia and Kiba started speaking to one another as their swords continued colliding against each other as sparks continued flying. The two swordsmen proceeded with their match swinging their swords at one another in an attempt to get in a decisive blow, however, their individual skills didn't allow it.
"Here I come, Ise-kun!"
Irina said as she leaped forward toward Issei swinging Excalibur Mimic, which had taken shape as a katana with enthusiasm. He recalled that it'd be dangerous for devils to be slashed once avoided it wearing a frightened look on his face trying not to get cut even slightly.
[Boost!]
After a second Boost, Issei felt his power rising at that moment as he continued avoiding various slashes, which Irina has been unleashing at him. He was on high alert since he didn't have the kind of experience that could let him avoid all these attacks compared to Irina who looked experienced and wielded a dangerous sword. When in a situation like he would usually use his Dress Break against her, but he didn't want to deal with the aftermath, which would come from Kazuki.
Although he wouldn't ever consider using Dress Break on Irina, the fantasy of using it started surfacing inside of his mind. Doing this did cause a lot of guilt to resurface inside of him as well, but after seeing the erotic uniform she was wearing, he couldn't help himself.
"Iri-chan, though he wouldn't consider using it," Kazuki found himself calling out Irina who stopped for a moment during the battle after hearing his voice. "Nii-san has as move, which blows away women's clothing whenever he makes contact with them."
"Ah! Kazuki, don't reveal my techniques to the enemy! I already said that I wouldn't use it!"
"No one would believe that."
Kazuki and Koneko replied after the two glanced over toward him, but Koneko's tone carried the most harshness behind it.
"Gah! Koneko-chan, you're words hurt me the most!"
"…enemy of all women. You're the worst."
Koneko added as a knife seemed to have been stabbed into his chest.
"Thanks for warning me, Kazu-chan. You truly at the best," Irina cheerfully smiled before turning her attention to Issei wearing a sad expression and seeming to be praying to herself. "But, what a perverse technique. Aah, God. Please forgive this sinful pervert!"
"Don't look at me with those pitiful eyes!"
Issei said feeling worse and worse by the second at the reactions that he was getting from three people at the same time about his Dress Break. It seemed to have been enough for Kiba and Xenovia to temporarily stop their match as the two looked on.
"I see," Xenovia sighed in response to hearing that she stared at him with deadpan eyes. "He is, in fact, a mass of sexual desires. I think it's a fitting action for a devil who has such greed."
"He was actually like that before that."
Kazuki pointed out causing Mariah to laugh.
"I must say that being a devil is perfect for him."
Mariah added as she seemed to be loving the entire situation that she had just become a part of.
"I'm sorry."
Kiba said bowing his head after hearing about the reactions from his partner and fellow servant.
"Ah, I hate all of you!"
Issei declared glaring at the five people who've been commenting about his perversions, without him even doing anything at the moment. Kiba soon returned to his battle as he created two more demonic swords in his hands; a demonic sword releasing a whirling flame and the other a cold air and frost.
"Now, back to where we were," Kiba crossed both fire and ice demonic swords in front of him and looked forward determined. "Burn, Flare Brand! And freeze, Freeze Mist!"
Kiba rushed forward once again at Xenovia slashing at her using both demonic swords in his hands, he showed a lot more of his skills against Xenovia. But, those who knew him, they could tell that his emotions were slowly getting the best of him the more he fought against her. In response to this, the blue-haired swordswoman met his challenge using her holy sword of destruction.
"So, are we going to get started? Or, are you going to keep this girl waiting?"
Mariah nonchalantly asked as she was waving her hand around while placing her hand on Excalibur Blessing, which was sheathed beside her. In response to that, Kazuki retrieved the light swords that were modified due to Azazel and caused the compressed light blades to be formed.
"I apologize for that," Kazuki said as he held light swords up in a prepared stance. "Well, one of the reasons that I agreed to this was because I wanted to test out something that I learned from my instructor."
"Oh, and I'll be the first person that you'll be using it on. Well, you know how to make a girl real special."
Mariah said as she unsheathed Blessing, then held it comfortably in one of her hands before directing her sights at Kazuki. He could see that she was being as calm and calculating as Kiba would be under normal conditions as he noticed an aura was exuding from the sword. Seconds later, Mariah was the first person to make a move as a fast thrust was aimed at him. Kazuki avoided the thrust by moving backward, but she seemed to have predicted this move and followed using a slash.
In response to this, Kazuki responded by blocking the strike using his crossed swords, then moved to the side causing Mariah to fall slightly forward. He slashed his left sword at Mariah, but she counted the slash using Blessing despite being caught in a normally defenseless stance. After regaining her balance, Mariah and Kazuki started getting into a constant clash between one another.
Holding and wielding Blessing using both hands, Mariah started launching an assortment of slashes against him; Kazuki, on the other hand, countered all the slashes using both blades defensively. The two of them continued to from going on the defensive to the offensive as if they were testing one another out. Kazuki knew that he wouldn't be able to match Excalibur Blessing using a normal light sword, which was the reason that he was strengthening the light using magic.
"The way that she's fighting is similar to Yuuto-kun. She's using speed and skill, as well as moving as if Excalibur Blessing is a part of her. But, due to being a woman, she's a little more flexible and agile than her brother."
Kazuki surmised as he blocked another strike using both his swords crossed, but could still feel the strength that was behind that slash. After doing that he altered the position of one of the swords in his hands, then spun on his heel aiming a slash at her holding it in a reverse grip. But, Mariah was able to athletically avoid it without getting a wound on her and maintaining her balance.
"Kazuki-san is fighting really well for someone using a two-sword style," Mariah thought as she continued with the assault as she witnessed him blocking using one sword in a reverse grip, then went in for a slash using the second sword. "But, for some reason, it looks as if he's still getting used to fighting using two swords at the same time. I guess this is what he was meaning to test out against me."
"I'm still getting used to this two-sword style that I learned from Kaito-sensei. But, I'm getting the hang of it."
Kazuki and Mariah continued with their clashing, but it was obvious that neither of them was going all out as it was a simple contest. As the two of them were preparing to charge at one another again—
DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!
Xenovia stabbed Excalibur Destruction into the ground after breaking Kiba's Flare Brand and Freeze Mist, which caused an explosion that shook the ground. It was enough to cause the people who were and weren't fighting to lose their balance. There were Issei and Irina who lost their footing and were covered in the dirt generating from Xenovia releasing Destruction's destructive powers into the ground.
"Waah!"
Mariah, who didn't have enough preparations or proper vision to fix her stance ended up falling forward but didn't end up falling to the ground. Instead, she ended up falling in something a little softer than the dirt before realizing that she was on top of another person. Mariah looked and realized that right now she was straddling her opponent as her arms were on the ground beside his head after attempting to catch herself. Because of this, she and Kazuki were face-to-face enough inches from looking as if they were going to kiss.
"This is my Excalibur. It can destroy anything that comes in its way. It's not called Excalibur for nothing."
"…Such a destructive power when it isn't a real Excalibur. So destroying all 7 swords will be a difficult path."
As the smoke started clearing, there was a crater left in the wake of Xenovia stabbing Excalibur destruction in the ground. But, at the same time, it had been revealed that Mariah and Kazuki were at the moment was in a compromising position due to the incident. Both her Blessing and his light swords were stabbed into the ground beside them after the two of them had lost their footing.
"…."
"…."
Their faces turned bright red after noticing that the two of them were face to face like this before quickly moving from one another in a seated position with their hands on their knees.
""I'm sorry, it wasn't my fault! I lost my footing and ended up on the bottom/top of you, Mariah-san/Kazuki-san!""
Kazuki and Mariah found themselves shouting at the same time showing their own nervous disposition about the particular situation. After seeing this their older siblings, who were watching them at the moment started laughing after seeing that. All the other people who were seeing that from the outside also all started laughing at the similar reactions and responses from them.
"Mari-chan, are you attempting to deal Kazu-chan from me?!"
Irina asked as she was looking almost betrayed as one of her closest friends was on top of her childhood crush.
""N-No, it's not what it looks like. It was that Power Idiot's fault!""
Both Kazuki and Mariah said in unison again pointed at Xenovia at the same time, who looked almost offended in response to being called a 'Power Idiot'. Irina seemed to have understood that as she herself lost her footing and was covered in dust as a result.
"You're right. Geez, I'm covered in dirt because of Xenovia who destroyed the ground too!"
Irina said as she started brushing the dirt that had gotten on her.
It appeared as if Kazuki and Mariah were too embarrassed after what happened to continue their match against one another. But, that didn't mean the same for the others who were still looking to win their match.
[Boost!]
Irina after hearing the third Boost rushed toward Issei wielding Excalibur Mimic, who continued avoiding all of the slashes aimed at him. He knew that she was moving faster than him who fought against Riser's peerage during their previous Rating Game to decide Rias' future. But, Issei continued holding on for the right moment, which he heard after ten more seconds of avoiding the holy sword.
[Boost!]
"Alright, let's go Boosted Gear!"
[Explosion!]
All the stored power that had accumulated for forty seconds was released, raising his power throughout his entire body. He recalled all the training that he went through in creating Dress Break during the Riser situation and the fact that he can't use it pained him, but there was something that he could do.
"I might not be able to use Dress Break," Issei said as he charged toward Irina in almost a tackle. "But, I can still move as if I was going to!"
"Don't you have any kind of shame?!"
Kazuki shouted in his head wondering whatever or not he heard Issei correctly.
"Obscene!"
Irina declared as she avoided Issei's tackle almost as if he were a molester, resulting in the entire match turning into something of a woman attempting to avoid being victimized. It was almost a sad sight as Irina was holding a sword in her hands, but running away avoiding all Issei's tackles and hands.
"Ise-kun is moving much better than usual."
"…For the lecherous power inside him to increase his stats this much."
Akeno seemed amused about the situation as Koneko stared on with her usual poker face.
"Ahhh! Ise-kun, please stop chasing after me making all those weird and pervy movements," Irina found herself yelling out as she continued to run from Issei who was making weird moments with his hands. After she made a turn to avoid him, she looked and realized that Issei had moved in front of her. "What! You caught up with me!?"
"Looks like this is my…gah!"
Issei was stopped as a foot appeared right in front of his head, which belonged to Kazuki who moved Irina aside and planted his foot in his brother's face. Due to this unforeseen action, he ended up falling backward toward the ground his face being notably red from the impact.
"Ah, thank you, Kazu-chan! You're truly my own hero!"
Irina said thanking him for 'saving' her from Issei, who seemed to have started regaining his bearing and jumped back up to his feet.
"What the hell was that for?! I already said that I wasn't going to use it!"
"Is there a screw loose in your head or something?! Did you honestly think for a second that I was even going to let you continue harassing my Iri-chan like that?!"
Both Issei and Kazuki started getting close in front of one another's face as they got into an argument over Issei's actions during the fight.
"How else am I supposed to fight?!"
"I don't know like a normal person?!"
"Well, I didn't attend martial arts clubs like a certain someone!"
"Maybe, because you were too busy spying on the girl clubs in the shower with your pervy friends!"
"Well, we weren't popular as a certain someone! I'm going to continue fighting until I blow away girls' clothes just by looking at them!"
"If there was any kind of surgery that can fix someone's head. I would pay any kind of money to give to common sense!"
Issei and Kazuki started butting heads with one another as sparks started flying between the two of them as their eyes were locked on one another. But, after hearing the 'Reset' from his Boosted Gear, Issei felt almost all of the energy that he accumulated drained from his entire body.
Meanwhile, Xenovia and Kiba seemed to have been in the middle of the battle of their battle as the latter created a demon sword that was covered in a great ominous aura. However, everyone there realized that its gigantic size didn't fit his particular style. This meant that it wouldn't provide him any kind of advantage against Xenovia who's more suited to wielding greatswords like Excalibur Destruction.
"The destructive power of that holy sword or the destructive power of my demon sword," Kiba declared out loud as he was holding the sword in his hands and rushed toward Xenovia. "We will see which one is stronger!"
"It's a shame," Xenovia seemed disappointed as she was prepared to swing Excalibur Destruction toward him. "It appears as if you've made the wrong decision."
Both Kiba and Xenovia were close to clashing against one another with their demon and holy sword respectively, but before either of them could reach each other. Mariah holding Excalibur Blessing in one hand to block Xenovia and Kazuki's light sword, which seemed to have been strengthened somehow to black Kiba. Due to the situation, the two swordsmen stopped their battle.
"Mariah, why did you interfere?!"
Kiba asked as he moved backward, not wanting his fight against Xenovia and one of the swords he hated for a long time. In response to this, Mariah turned in his direction with serious eyes, causing Kiba to relent a little bit as it was the first time she's looked at him like that.
"You would've ended up losing if you continued," Mariah clearly stated as she stared directly at Kiba. "You're not suited for fighting using a massive sword since it dampens your speed, which is primarily your combat focus. And unlike this 'Power Idiot', who has been using those kinds of the sword since the beginning."
"I'm starting to get irritated at that name," Xenovia noted as she felt almost irritated that she was being referred to as a 'Power Idiot'. "But, she correct. This battle would've ended terribly on your side."
"…!"
After realizing that, Kiba's face scrunched up into an irritated expression toward her and himself.
Seeing that the battle ended, the barrier was released allowing the people inside of the barrier to be freed from it. It was surprising for them that no one was injured at all during the battle, but it was partly due to the interventions of Kazuki and Mariah that it didn't come to that. All three exorcists sheathed their Excaliburs; Xenovia wrapped it back up using the bandages, Irina returned it into the form of a rope wrapped around her wrist, and Mariah put it back into its sheath.
"Senpai," Xenovia called out to Kiba who glared at her after hearing the 'Senpai' title returned to his face. It made those wonder whether it was an insult or a proper utterance. "I suggest that you fight with more coolness in our next potential battle. Rias Gremory, I have decided to trust you with the talk from earlier about neither of you are involved with Kokabiel. Also, you should train your servants a bit more, there's a limit to simply polishing their combat styles alone."
"I'll take that into consideration."
Rias replied with some sense of emotion behind her response.
"We'll continue with completing our mission in town. Irina. Mariah."
Xenovia called out to her two partners before turning around to leave seeing no other reason for her to be there, but still, she stopped and turned to face Issei and Kazuki.
"There is one more thing that I believe would be important for you two to know," Xenovia said catching both their attention. "In Grigori, there's a combatant who the Church has started to become worried of due to both their own power and their sacred gear they wield. Some theorized that it has the potential to reach the same class as the Boosted Gear and Divine Dividing, becoming another Longinus."
"…what?"
"…?"
Issei and Kazuki seemed surprised after hearing that from them, then Xenovia continued with her statement.
"At the current state of the Welsh Dragon, you're unable to match your brother, the Vanishing Dragon. But, at the same time, at the current state of you two, you can never win against the dragon from Grigori."
Those were the final words from Xenovia as she walked away without giving them another glance.
"Ah, wait Xenovia," Irina said as she started running to catch up to Xenovia, but stopped to face Kazuki and sent a glance in his direction. "Well, I'll see you later, Kazu-chan."
"Well, I'll need to go and follow them to make sure nothing happens," Mariah said as she tossed the light swords she picked up from the ground toward Kazuki who caught them. She sent a soft smile in his direction as if to say 'thank you' for borrowing them before turning to her brother. "I understand that you hate Excalibur and even want to see them destroyed. But, it won't mean anything if you can't even think rationally and fight in a way that'll allow you to make it happen."
"…."
Kiba wasn't able to come up with a single response against what Mariah told him since even he could see it was all the complete truth about his actions.
"Well, that didn't end in the way I thought that it would."
Kazuki said as he took a seat on the ground thinking about what just happened sitting beside him was Asia, who found herself wanting to remain beside him. It could've been due to what Xenovia had said to her, but it could be more what Kazuki said in her defense. Kazuki noticed that Asia was smiling a lot more and wanting to even lean her head on him, but he didn't have any trouble with that.
Issei, on the other hand—
"Ouch, Koneko-chan that kinda hurts."
For one reason or another, Koneko was massaging Issei's shoulders but found herself putting more strength in it due to the Rook piece within her.
"…You might have won if you did another boost with the Sacred Gear."
Koneko said one of the kindest things that Issei heard from her thus far as she continued massaging him, in that instance started moving onto his arms.
"Uh, this is one of the first times that I don't know what Koneko-chan is doing," Kazuki said tilting his head towards the side. "I guess she's saying that she's impressed about him fighting against Iri-chan without being slashed by Excalibur. It could also be since he avoided stripping anyone today."
"Well, Koneko-chan is being nice in her own way. I think that it's lovely."
"Yea."
Kazuki said as he found himself placing a hand on top of Asia's head who smiled cheerfully.
"Hold on! Yuuto!"
All four of them stopped after hearing Rias call out Kiba who looked as if he was walking off on her and them as an undecipherable expression could be seen on his face. It would be obvious to anyone that the entire situation involving Excalibur brought him into an unrecognizable mindset that he himself couldn't get endure or hold back.
"I won't forgive you if you leave me," Rias found herself grabbing his arm in an attempt to keep Kiba from going off on his own since she knew what he was going to do. "You're the Knight of the House of Gremory. I will also be troubled if you end up turning into a rogue. Wait for this instant."
Kiba stopped after hearing that from his King and the person who saved and gave him a new life he could live, a life that he and the other orphaned children talked about. But, it was because of them that he was able to even get this chance in the first place.
"I was able to run away from that place because my comrades sacrificed themselves to let me have a chance at living," Kiba instead of snatching his arm away from Rias, instead gently removed it from her grasps without even looking into her saddened eyes. "How could I continue living this life ignoring that the thing that I wanted to break more than anything? And the person who caused all our suffering is inside of the same town as me? Even if I do end up being exiled, I have to honor their sacrifices and put their regrets into my demonic swords."
After saying those final words, Kiba turned around and continued walking away from the friends and comrades he made there. He couldn't let go of his old friends' deaths and regrades, who sacrificed themselves so that he'd be able to escape. In response to seeing her Knight walking off without saying another word, Rias looked on with a saddened look on her face.
"…Yuuto."
Rias uttered those words sadly as she looked down and Akeno walked beside her placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Poor, Rias-san and Kiba-san."
Asia spoke sadly as she was able to feel bad for both of them for different reasons. For Kiba is was due to all the horrible things that happened to him from childhood. And for Rias, it was seeing someone important to her going off without looking back. As if knowing what was one each other's mind, Kazuki and Issei found themselves both glancing at each other.
"…."
Without anyone noticing the two of them nodded their heads in agreement, but as the two of them did that, there was one person who noticed that short exchange.
"Aaaaand? What was the reason for calling me?"
Those were the first words from Saji as he was standing up in front of the bench of the train station after he was called there. It was their next day as Kazuki, Issei, and Koneko, the latter had followed the brother there and was holding onto the older one's shirt. Kazuki said that it'd be pointless to run from Koneko, but Issei didn't listen, then ended up being wrestled to the ground.
After the two of them agreed on the situation, Kazuki tried telling him that it wouldn't be right to involve Saji in it. Although he did have some trouble in dealing with Sona's male pawn, he was still Sona's servant and he didn't want to do anything to get him hurt. But, Issei insisted on calling in some backup, more so since Kazuki still couldn't get in contact with Raynare even after leaving several messages about the situation.
"I'll have to apologize to Sona-senpai about this later. I know that she's going to find out about this at some point. And Rias-senpai in that regard too."
Kazuki surmised as he glanced to the side wondering how he could make this up to Sona.
"…He's right. What were you two trying to do?"
Koneko asked in her usual stoic tone, but there was some seriousness in her tone.
Both of them were curious about the situation, causing Issei to glance toward Kazuki who caught the attention of both the newcomers.
"Nii-san and I already talked it over after the incident happened," Kazuki started as calm and possible so that he wouldn't confuse them. "And we decided to ask Iri-chan, Mariah-san, and Xenovia if we can assist the three of them in handling the Excalibur and break it."
""…!""
Koneko and Saji looked shocked after hearing that response from Kazuki.
It took almost a second for them to comprehend what was happening at the moment, a single breath leaves Saji's mouth before shouting.
"Nooooooooo! I'm going home!"
"Uh, I wouldn't try…."
"Sure that I'm not getting involved in this!"
Saji ignored Kazuki and tried running from them, but the thing that Kazuki was attempting to warn him on was the white-haired first-year with strength above theirs. Koneko reached her arms out and stopped him from moving by grabbing onto his arm and similar to Issei wrestled him to the ground.
"I will help as well. It's about Yuuto-senpai, right?"
Koneko asked as she looked towards both brothers who nodded their head, which caused Koneko to agree with their idea. After finding out that he couldn't escape from Koneko, Saji stopped and glared toward both brothers in an angered and emotional state.
"You too, why me," Saji pointed at Issei and Kazuki as the brothers stared at him wearing the same expression on their faces. "This is supposed to be your group's problem, right?! I belong to the House of Sitri! I shouldn't take any part in this! Not at all!"
"Well, if it makes you feel better. I was against it for that reason."
"Come on, Saji. I don't know that many devils would be willing to help me out with this. If I asked anyone in my group, then Buchou would find about it and attempt to stop me."
"Bullshit! There's no way that I'd ever help either of you with this! I'll end being killed by Kaichou if I get involved in this," Issei and Kazuki didn't appear to believe that Sona would kill him over this. "Your master, Rias-sama is a strict person, but she's kind too! And you know Kaichou?! She's strict AND strict! And you, you're not even a devil or a servant to anyone. Meaning that you can do whatever you want without being punished! Besides, Kaichou is the nicest to you out of everyone at school!"
"Just listen and stop yelling at me like that. You're attracting too much attention."
Kazuki pointed out noticing that several people were glancing over in their direction after hearing Saji shouting in an instance of intense emotions. After realizing that and calming down, deciding to listen to whatever Kazuki had to say as Issei chose to let Kazuki speak about the situation.
"I'm sure that Koneko-chan knows about Yuuto-kun's connection to Excalibur and his past. Iri-chan, Mariah-san, and Xenovia are planning on either retrieving Excalibur or breaking it. Yuuto-kun plans on both overcoming and breaking Excalibur so their goals at least align with this thought. So, if we can convince them to allow us to help and break one or of the stolen Excalibur, then that might alleviate his hatred," Kazuki explained softly to where a person as emotional about it as Saji could calmly listen. "Rias-senpai already stated that none of the servants should get involved in this situation. If something goes wrong then the situation between both sides could become a lot worse. But…."
"That's right! This situation involves the Church, not the Underworld. Kaichou already told us, the Student Council all about the situation involving this fallen angel. So, if you want to be involved, then…."
Saji interrupted him and even stepped in front of him to give his feelings on the matter.
"Let me finish. And don't yell in my face again."
"Alright."
Saji relented after hearing the same kind of serious tone and eyes that he'd hear from Sona herself.
"In this situation, it's not just about the tensions between the Three Factions. Think about it, do all think that it's a coincidence that Kokabiel chose this town, a place where two high-class devils who're the Maous' sisters reside. Even if Rias-senpai or Sona-senpai doesn't want to get involved right now, all of us are going to have to be involved in it at some point. Even if we can't defeat Kokabiel, the least that we can do is ensure that he doesn't gather the Excaliburs and do whatever he planned on doing with them. And I know that the three of them alone knows that it would be impossible to retrieve them alone from him."
Neither Koneko nor even Saji could disagree with his reasoning, with Issei being almost glad that he allowed him to speak to them and explain the situation himself.
"Look, it's not like we plan on fighting against Kokabiel. All we want is to get the Excaliburs from him and if we all do end up fighting against him, then we'll have to come together and do it," Kazuki explained looking at both their potential comrades in this situation. "But, if either of you wants to leave, then I won't stop you."
"I won't leave if a friend's in trouble."
Koneko said strongly with more emotion in her voice compared to before.
"Well, thanks, but I'm leaving!"
Saji started as he was given to go head to leave as his planned, however, he was stopped once again by Koneko, who was still holding onto him. After seeing this, he turned toward Koneko, who was still holding onto him.
"Why're you still holding onto me, Loli-sama?! He already said that I could leave," Saji asked as she stared at him wearing a blank expression. "Please let me leave! Why won't you let me leave?!"
"…if we do, then you might spill the beans to Kaichou. Either on accident or purpose."
Koneko pointed out bluntly as she stared at him, causing him to relent as he sighed seeing that there was almost no way that he was getting out of this.
"So, how are we going to find them?"
"I know where they are?"
Issei was wondering how all of them were going to find the three Exorcists who were currently on their mission to locate Excalibur. He thought that it would take them some time, but Kazuki plainly stated that he knew where the three of them were.
"Huh, how?"
"Here."
Kazuki reached into his pocket to show him a text message that he received from Irina moments ago. After Issei leaned in to read it:
[Kazu-chan, please come and save me and my painting from this heretic, Xenovia. Also, we're all starving since all our money was lost.]
"Then this one from Mariah."
"Huh, Kiba's sister?"
"Wait, the pretty boy has a sister?"
Saji seemed as if he didn't hear that Kiba had a younger sister.
[Hello, Kazuki-san, this is Mariah. Iri-chan spent all our money on the painting 😛. If you don't mind feeding three desperate girls, here's our location. I promise that I'll pay you back for everything 😅.]
"Huh, spending all their money on a painting. Does this exorcist even have any common…?"
"What was that?"
"Nothing!"
Saji stopped after receiving a serious stare from Kazuki after noticing that Saji was going to say something about Irina, the latter looked around nervously unable to face him.
"So, we found out where the three of them are. I'll pay for Iri-chan and Mariah. You'll cover for Xenovia."
"Huh, why me? Wait, are you still mad about what she said about Asia-chan?"
"Yep. I'll overlook this until the situation is resolved, but I won't forgive her fully unless she apologizes."
Kazuki replied as he started heading to the location that Mariah had sent them.
"Delicious! Japanese cuisine is delicious!"
"Yes, yes! This is it! This is the taste of my homeland's food!"
"This is so delicious! I thought that Iri-chan was exaggerating about Japan's food!"
Xenovia, Irina, and Mariah all dug into the food that the three of them ordered at the family restaurant near where all three of them were. All seven of them were seated at a table big enough for them, but the four of them found the Church's warriors in an odd position. Irina was cradling a photo, that did, in fact, look fake as if she was trying to rescue her own child. Xenovia, on the other hand, was standing above her holding the wrapped up Destruction and was threatening to rip it apart.
Issei almost couldn't believe that Irina was the same girl who almost defeated him several times during their fight yesterday. Now, she was holding the menu in her hands as she placed it beside Mariah wearing a bright childish smile as she stared at the deserts. Saji was surprised to find that Kiba actually did have a twin sister, a beautiful one at that, but he was afraid of what her brother or she would do if he tried anything.
It was moments later until the three of them allowed a breath to escape from their mouths as their hunger was all sated due to the plentiful meal.
"Ah, thank you, Kazu-chan for coming to our aid."
Irina cheerfully smiled as she finished eating the sundae that she ordered and Mariah did the same smiling after finished the ice cream.
"It wouldn't have been unneeded if a certain someone didn't spend all our money."
Xenovia said placing the water that she ordered on the table, then turning toward one of her partners.
"…b-but, it was such a beautiful painting of…."
"Alright, alright, we'll handle this later," Mariah said intervening between the two of them before another argument would occur between them. "Now that the three of us can think straight. I'm wondering the reason that the four people before us gathered though we called Kazuki-san alone."
Kazuki could tell that Mariah already guessed that the four of them wanted something since devils wouldn't want to approach exorcists wielding legendary swords. More so, since she knew that their Kings must've warned them not to intervene in the Church's business.
"Ah, right. I guess that it was obvious that we wanted something," Kazuki started before continuing onto their suggestion. "We want to assist in destroying the Excaliburs here. I'm sure that you guys already know that it'd be difficult stealing from Kokabiel, right? So, wouldn't it be easier to form a temporary alliance until the situation is settled?"
All three of them looked surprised about the sudden suggestion from Kazuki before they started thinking about it separately on their own. It must have been a couple of minutes of them thinking about it with some form Kazuki's group starting to get a little nervous at them not speaking at all. Among the three women, Xenovia was the first to open her mouth before speaking.
"Yea. Maybe it would be okay leaving at least one of the swords to you three. If you're able to destroy it, then that would be it," Xenovia replied surprising some of them since she didn't appear to be the kind of person who would work with devils. "But, ensure that your identities aren't discovered since it'd be troublesome if the higher-ups and our enemies believe we're connected to you all."
"That's fair."
Kazuki replied confidently, but Irina seemed to have been surprised about the situation.
"Wait, Xenovia. Are you sure about this? I mean, working with Kazu-chan would be fine. But, Ise-kun and the two servants there are all still devils. I thought that you were against working with devils."
Irina brought up a good point that neither of them could disagree with since exorcists and devils are enemies with the two sides being at odds since the beginning.
"Iri-chan, I believe that even Xenovia realizes that it'll be difficult for the three of us to handle retrieving Excalibur from someone as powerful as Kokabiel. I believe that anyone rational person would call this a suicide mission in any situation. Even if Xenovia and I used our trump cards against him, it might not give us much of an edge."
Mariah surmised with the kind of rationality that Irina wouldn't reject.
"Mariah is correct. The minimum of success would be to break the three Excaliburs or retrieve them. And if that's impossible, then we should destroy ours if there's a chance they'll be stolen from us. No matter the situation with an opponent as powerful as Kokabiel, then the chances of success would be thirty percent or lower."
"Iri-chan, I know what you're thinking right now. As exorcists we're prepared to sacrifice ourselves for the mission if it means saving lives and stopping evil," Mariah started before continuing. "But, even if we end up breaking our Excaliburs or theirs, if the cores remain, then it'll be simple for the person assisting Kokabiel to remake them. At most our sacrifice would simply buy some time and who knows what Kokabiel will do before or after."
"Y-Yea, I know that."
"Well, if you're worried about borrowing strength from a devil. Then let's borrow the strength from a dragon."
Xenovia pointed out before actually pointing at both Issei and Kazuki.
"We were aware that the Hakuryuukou was residing inside of this town, but I never thought that the Sekiryuutei will reside in the same place. More so, the two were twin brothers. Despite one of you turning into a devil, I'm still able to sense the dragon power residing inside of your power," Xenovia pointed out as she explained her reason for wanting to work with them. "According to the legend, the Welsh Dragon can double his power until reaching a Maou in strength. And the Vanishing Dragon can divide power adding it to your own while bringing even a Maou to a weakened state. If those two works together, then breaking one or two Excalibur would be no issue."
"I mean that does make sense," Irina was unable to go against what both Mariah and Xenovia said. "But…."
"Come on, Iri-chan. Please, can you trust us and let us help?"
Irina received an honest question and request from her beloved childhood friend, more so after noticing that his hand was on top of hers. After noticing this, Mariah resisted the urge to squeal to herself after seeing that right in front of her eyes; Xenovia, on the other hand, was looked on dumbfounded.
"Alright, since Kazu-chan wants to help~ Then I don't mind~"
Irina spoke in a singsong and cheerful tone almost as if she was smitten again while placing both her hands on her blushed cheeks.
"Wasn't that too easy?"
That was the same thought going through the minds of Issei, Koneko, and Saji who felt that it was a little too easy for Kazuki to convince her. Kazuki, on the other hand, simply smiled since he was able to convince Irina to have Issei and the others assist them.
"Since things went alright. I'll contact the last person."
Issei stated as he pulled out his cellphone from his pocket and dialed 'that' person's number.
Having dialed that person's number, the seven of them waiting for several minutes before the door leading inside the restaurant opened. Everyone turned around to find Kiba standing in front of them, his cold stare was directed at Xenovia, who stared back at him. However, he relented after noticing the look that Mariah was sending toward him and sighed. Seeing that he arrived, Kazuki stood up from his seat and took a seat on the other side right next to Irina allowing Kiba to sit down.
There was some silence between them as the waitress brought them all a second round of refreshments having made the request. Kiba remained there silently drinking his coffee as the current situation was being explained to him by Kazuki and taking in every single word.
"…I understand the situation," Kiba said after putting the coffee cup on the table. "To tell the truth, I feel a little bit unsatisfied when the wielders of the Excaliburs are giving me the permission to destroy it."
"That's a rough way of speaking," Xenovia had stated as she glared forward at him, which Kiba gladly returned in kind. "If it wasn't the fact you were Mariah's brother and you were a rogue devil, then I would have cut you down without any time to spare."
"I'd like to see you try."
Kiba and Xenovia glared at one another as an intense feeling was radiating from them, causing some discomfort in the people around them.
"Kiba-kun, I heard about what happened to you and the other children from the Holy Sword Project. I feel bad for what happened to all the children who suffered from those horrible situations. Even it allowed people such as me capable of using holy swords, something like that shouldn't have happened."
Irina spoke in an empathetic tone having heard the entire situation from Mariah who also had experience with the Holy Sword Project.
"That incident became one of the worst cases and several people felt disgusted about it. I'm sure that Mariah had told you all about the person in charge of that project being here too. After the situation came to light, the higher-ups figured that Valper had serious problems with his belief. And so, he was charged with heresy and exiled, but it appears as if he entered a partnership with Kokabiel."
Xenovia added after Irina finished conversing with Kiba.
"If possible, I want to eliminate him and leave Kokabiel unable to recreate the Excaliburs and use them," Mariah spoke seriously as everyone could hear that she was being serious. "Due to the extensive experiments and the research that he'd done on us and Excalibur, it'd be possible to recreate them as long as he had their cores."
"Well, then it appears as if it's my time to share some information," Kiba pointed out before continuing with his response. "Sometime before meeting you three, I had a run-in with someone wielding one of the three Excalibur here. At the time, he also killed a priest who died shortly afterward due to his injuries. His murderer was a rogue exorcist who we previously ran into around the same time that Ise-kun. A former exorcist named Freed."
After hearing that name from Kiba, all six people around him appeared to be shocked and surprised after hearing his name of all things here.
"Argh, that psycho priest again?"
Issei found himself shouting that out loud after recalling his terrible memories of dealing with that person as one of his first experiences as a devil. Kazuki shared the same feelings as him after recalling all the trouble that Asia went through and almost went through because of him, in particular.
"That guy's here."
Mariah sighed recalling his name as well.
"Freed Sellzen. He was a genius who became an exorcist at thirteen-years-old who received achievements as a result of him eliminating devils and beasts. But, there was one main thing that was wrong with both him and other people who were excommunicated."
"Freed was one of the worst cases, he took things too far and ended up killing enemies and allies alike. He never had any kind of belief in our God from the beginning. All Freed ever had was fighting instincts and killing intent at monsters. It was only a matter of time before he was charged with heresy and banished."
"So, he was the person who killed our comrade," Mariah, Irina, and Xenovia all seemed serious and irritated after losing one of their own to Freed. "If it wasn't for the fact that he escaped from the exorcists sent to dispose of him at that time, then none of our comrades would've died like this. I promise that our deceased comrades will be the last person from our side he'll kill."
Although Xenovia didn't give off the best impression of them, it looked as if even she cared about the allies from their side. After realizing that there was nothing more than the eight of them could discuss at the moment, while in a public setting like this, she looked forward.
"Both our sides already have means of contacting one another. So, we'll find a time to talk cooperation strategies at a more appropriate time," Xenovia stated before turning over to Issei. "I'll repay you for the meal another time, Sekiryuutei, Hyoudou Issei."
"Thanks for the meal, Kazu-chan! Treat me next time as the good ol days, kay~"
Irina requested as she sent a wink in his direction, causing Kazuki to nod his head in agreement and smile.
"Well, I'd love to have a meal like this another time. But, first, I'll pay back the money we owe for this one first," a light laugh escaped from Mariah's face before turning over to her older brother and winked cutely. "I have some time off after this mission is one. So, next time maybe Isaiah and I could share a meal as siblings. But, I expect the older brother to pay for his adorable little sister."
"…hah."
Kiba allowed a laugh to escape from his mouth hearing those words from his younger sister, but he didn't have a single issue with doing that. After that, the three female exorcists walked from the table before leaving the family restaurant. Issei and Saji were glad that the negotiations were a success, the former because it meant that they'd be able to assist Kiba; and the latter because nothing bad happened.
Soon enough, all five of them left the restaurant minutes after the three exorcists left, neither of them said anything about the situation. But, that changed as they found themselves in an uninhabited area without anyone around to listen to their conversation.
"…Ise-kun, Kazuki-kun. Why did you two do this?"
Kiba asked realizing that the two of them were responsible for this meeting since neither Koneko nor Saji would do something like this if ordered not to.
"Come on, did you really think that I wouldn't get involved in this even if I was told not to," Issei asked back as he glanced over to Kiba who seemed surprised. "We're all comrades from the same group as each other. Don't you remember the time that you helped me out once? It's not like I'm trying to pay back a debt or anything, but I think that it was time that I helped you out for once."
Kiba heard that Issei was being sincere at the moment and it was something that he started admiring from him, despite not agreeing with some of his actions. But, there was another reason for Issei going to such lengths just to help him out in this situation.
"Of course, Buchou was sad the time that you left and would become devastated if you ended up going on some big rampage. I know that she might end up getting mad as us for getting involved too, but it's better than losing a comrade and you becoming a rogue. Well, it turned out to be a big success because of this little nerd here."
"Don't think that I won't kick you again."
Kazuki glared at Issei after being called a nerd.
Amid the two brothers' arguments with one another, Koneko stepped forward and started showing an expression that neither of them has seen from her. She showed the truest and genuine feelings of pleading that was unusual for Koneko, who's usually unemotional.
"…Yuuto-senpai. I would end up being lonely if senpai disappeared," Kiba was unable to ignore that expression from Koneko. "…I will help…so, that's why please don't leave us."
All of them felt their heart skip a beat at the expression that Koneko was showing at the moment, which almost at the peak of cuteness. Kiba looked troubled for a moment before allowing one of his old smiles to form on his face before laughing.
"Hahaha, fine, I give up. If Koneko-chan says that to me, then there's no way that I can do anything reckless like leaving," Kiba replied as he placed a hand on top of Koneko's head still smiling. "I'll work with you all on this. For the first time, I know who my true enemy is and my other targets are right here in the same town we live. So, with all of us working together, we'll definitely succeed in breaking Excalibur."
"Good, I thought that we were going go to Plan B."
"What was Plan B?"
"Basically, what Koneko-chan was doing, but with Mariah instead."
Kiba laughed again after hearing both Kazuki and Issei talking to one another, more so since that actually might have worked on him too.
"…ummm, I'm kinda lost in the dark right now," Saji pointed out as he raised his hand catching all their attention. "How is Kiba related to Excalibur?"
"…let's talk for a bit, then."
Kiba asked realizing that Saji truly didn't know anything about the situation despite Issei calling him out here for an additional assistant. It was then that Kiba started explaining his past inside the institute that acted as the base for the Holy Sword Project. It started with him and Mariah being brought to the same place where boys and girls talented in swords or had sacred gears gathered. It was then that all of them were subjected to strict training and experiments, both of which continued seemingly without end. But, all of them ended it because they believed in the same God of the people doing that to them.
It was then that Mariah was taken by higher-ups from the Vatican who realized that she was a natural-born holy sword user who had no trouble using the Excaliburs. To see her again, Kiba worked hard so that he could reach the same place as Mariah in the Vatican. However, it didn't go in that direction since one of the biggest acts of heresy and cruelty occurred inside of that institute.
"…all of my old comrades and friend died…no killed by those who served God. Despite us praying and believing, no one came to rescue us. All because we couldn't use holy swords we were poisoned using gas that caused us to vomit blood. And all the people responsible wore masks while saying amen without the slightest shred of kind intentions. All of us suffered on the floor and went through more pain than any of us had experienced in all of our lives. Even so, we were all still seeking help from God."
Kiba escaped from the institute after his friends fought to allow him to run, which was what led him to meet his current King, Rias who was in Italy at the same time.
"Buchou found me there and gave me a chance at life. But, it was the same time that I promised that I would hold onto my friends' regrets and ensure their deaths weren't in vain. I need to keep on living for them all as well and to prove that I'm stronger than Excalibur."
Kiba explained to them all as his situation seemed more painful than what Asia had to experience earlier on. But, the person that it had the most effect on, was the same person who asked.
"Uuuuuuu…sob…."
Saji had tears streaming down his face like a river as he was attempting to widen them all from his eyes, then he found himself grabbing onto Kiba's hands. Said Knight looked surprised about the pawn's actions.
"Kiba! It must have been horrible! It must have been painful! Damn it! There's no God or hope in this world. Right now, I feel so much sympathy that I don't care if I'll end up being punished by Kaichou anymore! I understand the reason that you have a grudge against those people from the Church and Excalibur! Even if I end up caught by Kaichou, I'll help you all break Excalibur. Don't ever betray Rias-senpai who saved you!"
"Uh, thank you."
Kiba found himself thanking Saji although, he couldn't help, but laugh nervously as he started wiping away all the tears that formed from his eyes.
"Alright, this is a great time for me to reveal my ultimate dream! Since you guys should all know about me if we're going to be working together."
Everyone paused staring at Saji as he seemed to be waiting for the right time to tell them his dream.
"My dream is to…make Kaichou pregnant and marry her! But, you know…making a girl pregnant and marrying her is hard for an unpopular guy to like me. There aren't any girls that I can make pregnant, to begin with…. But, I'll make her pregnant and marry her one day."
There was a deep silence as the five of them stared at Saji who declared his dream out loud without anything that resembled shame. But, the first person to react to what he said was Issei who seemed to have gotten emotional in the same manner Saji did after hearing Kiba's past. Without saying a single word, he stepped forward and held onto his hand with tears in his eyes.
"Saji! Listen to me! I aim to grope Buchou's oppai…and then suck it!"
"…!"
"Hyoudouuuu! Do you know what you are saying? Do you understand how hard that dream is, to touch the High-class Devils oppai…. To touch the oppai of your master?"
"Saji. You can touch it. You can touch the High-class Devils oppai…. You can touch your master's oppai! I have groped Buchou's oppai with this hand."
Issei and Saji soon started having tears stream down their face after hearing one another's dreams as the trio of Kazuki, Kiba, and Koneko stared at them deadpan.
"Impossible!? Something like that is possible!? You are not lying, right!?"
"It's not a lie. Master's oppai is far away. But it's not like you can't reach it."
"Sucking it…!? Sucking Ka…Kaichou's oppai…. You are talking about the nipple right…? The place where you can suck is the nipple right…?"
"Dumb ass! If you are going to suck oppai, then the nipple is the only thing you can suck! Yes! I'm going to suck the nipple!"
As both of them were going on about the most obscene things that either of them have ever heard, Kazuki felt his right brow starting to twitch from irritation. It wasn't long before he started approaching the two of them with fists clenched as they went over various things about their masters.
BANG! BANG!
""Gaaah!""
Kazuki slammed his fist on top of both their heads hard enough to cause both Issei and Kazuki to be knocked to the ground unconscious.
"Is there a screw loose in both of your heads! Literally, everything that the two of you are doing or even planning on doing is considered rape and sexual assault based on everything you're saying! Saji, if Sona-senpai doesn't have feelings for you, then you can't impregnate her if she doesn't want to! It'd be more appropriate to marry her without forcing her into it by getting her pregnant and leave her without a choice of her own! And Nii-san all of the things you've been doing is the definition of sexual assault by forcibly stripping women," Kazuki yelled at the two pawns as Kiba and Koneko remained on the sidelines watching the entire thing. "What kind of people are you?!"
"…we…are…."
"…people…who…."
""…who aren't as popular as people like you who, who girls will flock over without a second thought! So, what else can either of us do!""
Both Issei and Saji stood up from the ground as their eyes were all glaring at Kazuki who stared at them with his eyebrows twitching showing his irritation.
"Well, then take the first step in being popular," Kazuki said darkly as he stared at the two of them irritated. "Then stop being useless perverts!"
""Screw you!""
Both Issei and Saji seemed to have started getting into an argument with Kazuki before the three of them started getting into a physical confrontation. Although, neither of the pawns had the slightest edge against Kazuki in that regard as the two of them were once again knocked to the ground.
"Haven't it even crossed your minds that the two girls you idiots are talking about are the Maou's younger sisters! You know, two powerful devils, who can eliminate an entire country on a whim? Or, basically decide your fate. Saji, want do you think Sona-senpai's sister would say if she heard you plan on impregnating her sister in an attempt to marry her?!"
"I'm still not giving up my dream!"
"Neither am I!"
Issei and Saji stubbornly declared causing Kazuki to stare at the two of them with deadpan eyes.
"…ahahaha."
"…you two are the worst."
Kiba laughed nervously as Koneko stared coldly at them.
A/N: And there goes the next chapter of The Twin Dragons, well this chapter showed the formation of the Excalibur Hunters. Before all of that, it was a three-on-three fight, but there were some minor differences in comparison to what happened. But, it all went in the direction where the group will be going after all of the Excaliburs. In the end, Kazuki did have a lot to say to Issei and Saji about their particular goals.
Issei's Harem: Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Xenovia, Lucia, Tsubasa, Kiyome, Aika, Elmenhilde, Yasaka, Kunou, Bennia, Roygun, Ingvild.
Kazuki's Harem: Sona, Raynare, Asia, Irina, Lucina, Mariah, Kuroka, Ophis, Rossweisse, Ravel, Le Fay, Gabriel, Jeanne, Lint, Tiamat, Lilith.