Rhode had originally thought about writing his own name.
However, considering he was a relative nobody, Kokabiel likely wouldn't know who he was. If the Fallen Angel didn't know his identity, the provocation wouldn't generate enough negative emotion to lure him out.
Rias's name, on the other hand, was much more effective. She was already one of Kokabiel's targets. To have his "perfect plan" thwarted before it was even half-finished by another target—who then had the gall to leave a mocking message—would be unbearable. If Rhode were in his shoes, he certainly wouldn't let it slide.
After dealing with the Stray Exorcists, Rhode finally had the chance to inspect the three dropped Holy Swords.
[Holy Sword of Heavenly Flash] Description: Increases the wielder's swinging speed and overall movement speed.
[Transparent Holy Sword] Description: Both the wielder and the blade can become transparent.
[Holy Sword of Nightmares] Description: Can cast illusions on a target or trap them in a dream state.
Looking at the descriptions, Rhode didn't find them particularly powerful. Moreover, the requirements for using a Holy Sword were strict; one needed a sufficient "Holy Sword Factor" in their body, or they would face a backlash. When Xenovia and Irina were appointed as Holy Sword users, they had undergone a ritual to be infused with the Factor.
Out of curiosity, Rhode grabbed one of the swords to test it.
The moment he gripped the Transparent Holy Sword, he blended perfectly into the environment.
"It actually works?"
Rhode was surprised. He wasn't sure if he was a natural talent for Holy Swords or if it was a perk provided by the system.
The seven Holy Swords had different effects, and individually, they were somewhat weak. If he could gather all seven, could he summon a dragon... wait, no, obtain the true Excalibur?
Rhode tried to put the three swords into his storage space. Compared to the value of these swords, the several million dollars in commission didn't seem so enticing anymore. But as expected, these items—like the unique Sacred Gears of others—could not be recorded by the system. If he wanted them in his inventory, he would likely have to "steal" them from the Church himself, just like Kokabiel had.
But that was too risky.
With no other choice, Rhode reluctantly wrapped the three swords in a cloth. He opened the mission map and selected Heaven for teleportation.
A moment later, Rhode—carrying the three Holy Swords like a bag of fish from a wet market—opened the door to Griselda's office under the astonished gazes of nearby angels, priests, and nuns.
"Yo!"
Griselda was adjusting her clothes. She wasn't angry at Rhode's sudden entrance, but as she smoothed the creases in her uniform, she was about to sigh and tell him to mind his manners when she noticed what he was carrying.
"Hm? What do you have there?"
"See for yourself."
Rhode tossed the bundle onto the desk. When Griselda unwrapped the cloth, she was shocked to find all three Holy Swords the Church had lost just days ago.
They were all the real deal!
The holy aura of a Holy Sword couldn't be faked, and each one contained a core fragment of the original Excalibur—there were only seven in the world. Rhode had found all three so quickly!
But it had only been a few days. She knew Rhode was efficient, but the mastermind behind the theft was a Fallen Angel cadre, Kokabiel. Rhode had actually managed to snatch them back from him?
"How did you do it?"
"Simple. I found their base near Kuoh Town, sneaked in, killed everyone, and the swords were mine," Rhode said with a shrug.
You killed everyone and you call that "sneaking in"? Griselda thought.
"And the Fallen Angel cadre?"
"Didn't see him. But he should find the 'traces' I left there soon enough," Rhode nodded.
"I see."
While killing a group of exorcists armed with Holy Swords sounded exaggerated, if it was Rhode, it wasn't impossible. Of course, if she had heard that Rhode had also dealt with Kokabiel, that would have been a real surprise.
"You did well, Rhode."
With the swords recovered, there was no longer a need to worry about Xenovia and Irina's safety. Griselda breathed a sigh of relief. Lord Gabriel had been right to value Rhode so highly. In contrast, even after knowing Rhode for so long, she still hadn't fully grasped the extent of his strength, which made her feel a bit ashamed.
"In that case, I will terminate the mission and have those two return."
"Do whatever you want." Rhode wasn't one to meddle.
But just as he was about to leave, Griselda spoke up again.
"Kokabiel will likely discover the truth soon and will surely be enraged. If you stay in Kuoh, it might be dangerous."
The Holy Swords were gone, but the sister of Lucifer was still in Kuoh. An enraged Kokabiel might take his anger out on her, and the entire town could suffer. To avoid being caught in the crossfire, Griselda hoped Rhode would take Asia and leave Kuoh. Moreover, the incident with the Stray Exorcists could be blamed on Rias, forcing the Underworld to take the heat. A conflict between two sides was better than a three-way war, especially when Heaven could reap the benefits.
However, Rhode declined Griselda's kindness.
Seeing no other choice, Griselda ultimately decided not to recall Xenovia and Irina yet, letting them meet up with Rhode in Kuoh. If Kokabiel appeared, they might be of some help.
Rhode didn't refuse the backup. After saying his goodbyes, he returned to Kuoh Town.
Late at night, under a sparse moon, Rhode washed up and entered his room. Seeing the slender figure on the bed, he expertly hugged her from behind, got "Little Rhode" into a comfortable position, and drifted into a sweet sleep.
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High School DxD : Reincarnated into the Multiverse, but it's High School DxD (156 Chapters – Ongoing)
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