Chapter 18
Rias was not pleased with the Azazel situation, not pleased at all. I could understand her frustration, first the Fallen in the abandoned church and now the Governor-General himself. The fact that he approached me might also have something to do with it.
Most baffling of all was that Azazel apparently had permission to be in Kuoh. When I first met him, I was not able to hide the recognition on my face, not to a millennia old crafty leader of the Fallen Angels. Fortunately for me, Azazel seemed under the impression that my knowledge of him came from Ddraig.
Rias had a thing about being an independent person and did not wish to go to her brother for such things, so she directed most of the question through Sona towards Lady Serafall. The office of the Satan promptly replied that Governor-General did indeed have permission to be in Kuoh. But their reasoning was very vague, and apparently on a need-to-know basis, with us not being in the need.
Rias and I agreed that it would be good to try and get some information from the Fallen Angel leader, if only to see what he truly wanted in Kuoh. From what I remembered, Azazel was a chill guy and would be helpful in the future. But as always, I was trying to keep myself watchful, you never know what was truly real or if it would happen as it did in fictional novels.
That was about a week ago. And since then I have met Azazel semi-regularly, either to discuss things that seem to interest the Governor-General about me, or just to play video games and drink. One time we even went fishing, it was… a surreal experience to say the least.
With a message from the student council president, Sona Sitri, it looked like our time of peace in Kuoh came to an end. Two exorcists had arrived in Kuoh, and they wanted a chat.
/Break
We met in the ORC clubhouse in the afternoon, classes for the day were finished and the sun was beginning its descent, slowly turning day into night. Rias and Akeno sat on the sofa with the rest of the peerage fanning out behind them.
Opposite were the two exorcists, their white robes covering most of their bodies, save for a large object wrapped in cloth. I assumed it to be a sword, though it appeared on the ridiculous side as sword sizes went.
A strange aura could be felt in the room, and it was not just from the presence of exorcists in the room. It was hard to describe, the closest I could get was the feeling of the light weapon that stuck my shoulder when I battled Raynare, almost two months ago. The feeling itself was subdued, but it still set me on edge. The reaction of others varied, but most prominent was Kiba's, who was glaring at the wrapped object in the blue-haired girl's grasp; the visceral hatred on his face was something I never associated with the politely mannered Knight of the Gremory Peerage.
As our two parties exchanged names and introductions, the blue-haired exorcist by the name of Xenovia cut to the chase.
"Not long ago, the Holy-sword fragments of Excalibur, that were kept by the Catholic Church, Protestant Church, and Eastern Orthodox Church were stolen."
"Unfortunate news for the church, I am sure, but it eludes me what bringing another Excalibur here accomplishes," said Rias, motioning towards the wrapped bundle in Xenovia's lap.
The exorcist nodded, her face unreadable. "This is indeed an Excalibur fragment, one of the seven from the original Holy Sword."
As she said this, Xenovia unwrapped the sword of its bindings, and the feeling I felt previously returned tenfold. Without the apparent bindings, the aura of the Holy Sword filled the entire room, making us all tense. I felt a slight shiver run down my spine just by looking at the sword. A trace of fear or perhaps excitement wormed its way into my soul. Sometimes it was hard to distinguish between the two, just one of the aspects of what Ddraig spoke about.
I directed my will towards mastering myself; not supressing the emotion that bubbled inside me, but stoking it towards a purpose, waiting to be unleashed. This sort of mental exercise was hard to describe in words, it functioned completely on feelings and desires, and there was not always an apt comparison readily available. Suffice to say, I was no longer rejecting the feelings. And I gave up trying to identify what part of me was responsible for them, simply accepting that all parts of me are part of a greater whole.
Before getting lost in the daydream of my own emotions, Xenovia's voice cut through the air once more.
"As you know, Excalibur was broken into pieces during the war a long time ago. The fragments were collected and turned into a new form by alchemy. They were made into seven swords. This is one of them."
"The Excalibur I hold is Excalibur Destruction; it belongs to the Catholic Church and the Vatican."
Wrapping the bindings around the sword once again, I noticed the lightly glowing spell symbols on the cloth, it looked like I was correct in my assessment that the bindings served as containment field for the power of the Holy Sword.
The other exorcist was visibly more jovial of the two and took out a piece of rope, that instantly changed into a sword in her hands.
"I have the Excalibur Mimic. I can change its shape into anything I want so it's really useful for carrying around. Just like this one, each Excalibur has its unique ability. This one is in the possession of the Protestant Church."
"Irina… there's no reason to tell these devils the ability of Excalibur, is there?"
"But Xenovia, they have to trust us, it will make this whole situation easier. Besides, even if my sword's ability is revealed, I can still take all the devils here."
I raised an eyebrow at that, wondering if that was really the truth or grandstanding. Perhaps the exorcist even believed it or perhaps she was even correct, it was hard to tell. With different devils and other supernatural, you could gouge their strength from their presence alone. Exorcists like these two were still human so even when trained they did not feel that dangerous.
In the end, it was their Holy Swords that they could draw power from. And if they mastered the chosen Holy Sword properly, they could empower themselves to fight even a High-Class devil, but that sort of thing was impossible to tell before they wielded the sword in question against you on the field of battle.
I will give it to the two exorcists, they felt confident of their chances, that was for sure. From the corner of my eye, I could see Kiba's glare turn a tad more murderous, I hope he did not do anything foolish.
"This is all well and good and I'm happy two young exorcists such as yourselves have your toys to play with, but I still fail to see how it has to do anything with me or mine."
Rias was definitely channelling her inner noble in this conversation; it was clear she did not hold high opinion of the church. She was an agreeable devil, but these two did seem a little presumptuous in the way they talked.
"The Vatican was in possession of two Excaliburs including mine, the Protestants had two as well. The final two were in the keeping of the Orthodox Church with the last one missing from the previous war between the factions. One Excalibur was stolen from each Church, the ones that stole them escaped to Japan, and brought them to this town."
I exchanged a glance with Rias; this was an interesting piece of information.
"Interesting, are you suspecting us of the theft? I would imagine you would not be sitting here if that was the case," replied Rias.
"No, we know who stole them. The Headquarters believe it to be the Grigori."
Rias' eyes narrowed, she must have been thinking the same thing that currently occupied my mind as well. Fallen agents in the town, the Governor-General poking his nose in Kuoh with the devil's powers that be giving their full permission.
"I am inclined to believe that, but it still does not answer the question of why this town and why come to me," said Rias.
"We know the main culprit who stole the Excaliburs. One of the leaders of Grigori, Kokabiel," explained Xenovia.
The other exorcist, Irina, continued where her comrade left off. "We sent priests and exorcists to this town secretly, but they kept getting killed."
Now that was interesting news, I don't think we even knew about exorcists here in Kuoh, let alone anyone killing them; they must have covered their tracks. The fact that this managed to slip under our noses made Rias frown.
"Our request… no, our order is to not have any devils intrude between us and the Fallen Angels in the battle for the Excaliburs. In other words, we came here to tell you not to interfere with this incident."
Ah, that was wrong thing to say. Rias' eyes caught a dangerous glint.
"And by what authority do you think you can make any demand from me? There are proper channels to make such a request, you know? Heaven simply has to reach out to Lady Leviathan and a formal investigation could be conducted, with agreement of all involved, we are civilised people after all."
"Why would Heaven bother with you devils? You think we need to lower ourselves to make deals with you?"
"Ah, that makes more sense, you were not sent by the Heaven here, were you? The Church sent you," said Rias with a smirk.
"I fail to see how that is any different."
"Yes, that failure is clear to see."
"You mock us, Gremory."
"Me? Nonsense, I am simply establishing the full picture for myself," Rias said with a smirk. "But very well, you can have my word that myself of my fellow devil King in Kuoh have no designs on the Holy Swords nor do we work with Kokabiel."
"I see… in that case we accept your words for what they are."
"One last question, where is the person the Orthodox Church dispatched?" Asked Rias.
"They are being held in reserve. They are planning to protect the last Excalibur if Irina and I fail."
"So it's just the two of you? You are going to retrieve the Excaliburs from the leader of the Fallen Angels with just the two of you? How reckless. Are you trying to die?"
"If that is what it takes," said Irina, her previous attitude gone.
"I agree with Irina, though I do not wish to die."
"…You came here to Japan prepared to die? The belief in your teaching is extreme like always," said Rias with a shake of her head.
"Don't talk ill of our beliefs, Rias Gremory. Right, Xenovia?" Said Irina.
"Right. Also the Church decided that it would be better to eliminate all of the Excaliburs rather than letting them get used by the Fallen Angels. Our first objective is to get the Excaliburs away from the Fallen Angels. To accomplish that, it's permissible for us to die. The only way to fight against the Excaliburs are with other Excaliburs."
What nonsense. While the swords were surely powerful, they were just swords in the end of the day, blessed ones but swords, nonetheless. Everything can be destroyed and everyone can die; Excalibur was not a One Ring that needed to be dropped into an active volcano.
"If that is all, we will take our leave."
"Won't you drink your tea? I can prepare a snack for you," said Akeno, a smile on her face that did not reach her eyes.
"We don't need it," said Xenovia as both she and Irina started to get up and leave.
Well that was rude.
"Ara, Ara, I am told my tea is quite good, but no matter, Asia be a dear and help me clean up the table," said Akeno gesturing to the blonde.
Xenovia stopped on her way out of the room, turning back toward us.
"Your name. Are you the Witch Asia Argento? I never expected to meet you in a place like this."
Coming closer to Asia, Xenovia kept looking at her intently.
"Are you the rumoured witch? The former holy-maiden? You are said to have the power that can also heal devils and Fallen Angels, right? I heard that you were sent somewhere after getting exiled, but I never thought you became a devil."
"Uhm… I…"
Asia looked visibly uncomfortable, that was enough for me to step between Xenovia and the young blonde, putting myself between the two.
Xenovia sized me up, unimpressed look on her face.
"And who are you?"
"Someone you don't want to get on the wrong side of. It looked like you were on your way to leave, don't stop on our account, the door happens to be that way," I said and pointed behind her, still shielding Asia from the exorcist.
"You appear to be shielding the heretic, what is she to you? Did she offer you her body?"
I frowned and repressed the side of me that wanted to punch her there and then, her being a woman be damned.
When I did not dignify her question with a response, she scoffed and turned to leave. "What else can be expected of heretics and unbelievers, you are all the same."
"I… I still believe," said Asia, coming slightly from behind my back, her hands clutched in front of her.
"What nonsense, you cannot be a devil and still believe."
"B-but I do."
"…in that case, it might be for the best to release you from your existence, a being such as you who professes belief in God and serves Hell as a devil cannot be tolerated to exist."
"Xenovia, surely she cannot believe, she is a devil now."
"It is true, I can smell the belief from her, I have always been sensitive to these things."
"...I just can't put it aside. I believed in it for my whole life..."
Xenovia took out her sword from its bindings once more and pointed it towards Asia.
"Is that so. Then you should be cut down by us this instant. If it's now, I can cut you in the name of God. Even if you have sinned, our God will forgive you."
This was the final straw for me.
"Have your grown tired of living little girl?" The growl that made its way from my own mouth surprised me, but apparently not as much as it did the two exorcists before me.
"Who are you to interfere in this?"
"I am her friend, that is all the reason one should need, now put that sword away before I part your head from your worthless shoulders," the anger I felt came through unhindered. I did not consider it worth restraining when faced with this… this cunt.
"Do you think the Holy Maiden needs friends? What's important is the charity to others. The Holy Maidens should be free from attachment; they are vanities unneeded for the holy life they are supposed to live. She should have continued to live with the love from God. It seems Asia Argento never held the right to be a Holy Maiden from the beginning."
"Reckless pride, limbed by self-righteousness," my words came with an unimpressed drawl at the girl before me. "What a good servant you are, too blind to even see beneath the lies told to you every day of your entire life."
"You seem eager to die; do you wish to taste Excalibur's bite?"
Rias stood up abruptly, her eyes swirling crimson with power of destruction, but before she could say anything, Kiba stepped forward, a hand resting on my shoulder.
"You want a fight then?"
There was a grim smile on his face, and I felt the hand on my shoulder tighten.
"And who are you?" Xenovia's next words came clipped and directed to the Knight beside me.
"Your senior, although apparently I was a failure."
I looked at Rias, anger still shimmering beneath my skin. Seeing my look, Rias sighed as she let go of her own gathered power. "Just be careful," she said, giving me a nod.
I grinned and turned towards Xenovia and Irina.
"How about it then, exorcists? Shall we find the truth with our blades?"
"Your funeral, devils."
Her words came out confident, but I just grinned. Despite the anger I felt at her words, I still felt in control. The swirling emotion inside me did not control me, I controlled them, shaping them into a fuel for the furnace that blew hot inside my chest.