(Image: Irina)
..
In the next two days (ten days in DxD World time), Sai Akuto finally verified his idea using the female devil descendants of the other two Maou clans.
Once he finished subduing those two remaining Maou families, the system chime rang in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host for completing the hidden mission: Beelzebub Clan Complete Collection (Gold).]
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the reward: Original Beelzebub Crest (Gold).]
[Congratulations to the host for completing the hidden mission: Asmodeus Clan Complete Collection (Gold).]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the reward: Original Asmodeus Crest (Gold).]
While Sai Akuto was busy taking control of the remaining Maou families, Irina had been working through a number of "resets" of her own.
For example, arranging for Saint Maki to receive the baptism of the Son.
One day, Irina received a communication from Sai Akuto, asking her to come to him at midnight.
By habit, Irina's first thought was to invite Asia and Xenovia along.
Right now, although the "Church Four" had loosened somewhat as an alliance due to Griselda's reluctance to cooperate directly with Xenovia, the "Church Three" were still very close.
"So that means… tonight it's just me?"
With such a rare chance to be alone together, Irina agonized for a long time over what to wear.
In the end, she chose the black skin-tight battle suit she'd worn when she reunited with Sai Akuto.
She chose it because it held special memories for her: it was the outfit from their reunion.
And she remembered clearly that Sai Akuto liked how she looked in that suit.
It showed off her figure nicely, and it was very practical… all it took was a small cut and it wouldn't get in the way of any "work" at all.
But today, Irina sensed something different.
"Eh? A blindfold, Akuto-kun…? You're… in the mood to play this kind of game today?" Irina swallowed hard as she looked at the black strip of cloth in his hand.
Nervous as she was, there was a distinct note of anticipation wrapped inside that tension.
"Akuto-kun, this is…?"
With her eyes covered, Irina could only rely on her other senses. She could tell there was someone else in the room, but not who.
"This is a saint from the Church. Irina, you know I perform baptisms every day for various believers."
"I see…"
Irina's expression clearly dimmed. She had been hoping tonight would be just the two of them.
Even so, beneath the disappointment, another kind of expectation began to stir in her chest.
The whole point of the blindfold was to make sure no one knew what was coming next, to heighten the anticipation and thrill to the maximum.
But for some reason, Irina caught a very familiar scent.
It was a fragrance that made her feel safe, even nostalgic… yet no matter how she tried, she couldn't remember where she'd first smelled it.
"Irina, could you help this saint out a little?" Sai Akuto whispered by her ear.
"Huh? But… even with a blindfold on, I can still manage. You can do a lot just by touch alone," he added softly.
His gentle voice made it hard for Irina to refuse.
"Mmm…"
She let out a tiny sound and began exploring in the darkness with her hands.
Sai Akuto was right. Even relying solely on touch, Irina managed to help the "saint" adjust her posture properly.
Yet as she helped, more and more questions rose in her mind.
Why did this saint feel so familiar?
Why hadn't she spoken a single word?
Why did her touch feel so familiar as well?
Irina soon found out why.
"Irina, long time no see."
A gentle whisper brushed her ear as the saint leaned in close.
"Mm?! That voice…!"
Recognizing it instantly, Irina hurriedly tore off the blindfold and looked forward.
Twin black ponytails came into view.
Staring at a face that looked ninety percent like her own, Irina was elated for an instant… and then realized what had just happened.
So that was why the saint's scent and touch had felt so familiar.
So that was why the saint had never spoken.
The "saint from the Church" Sai Akuto had mentioned… was her own mother.
She knew that all pure, unmarried saints of the Church had the right to receive the Son's baptism.
These days, Irina had already seen many former nuns, saints, holy warriors, and swordswomen she once knew lying on Sai Akuto's bed.
But Maki was supposed to be…
Impossible.
Could it be that Maki technically didn't meet the "requirements," and that Sai Akuto had really called her here because of Irina?
The more she thought about it, the more lost Irina felt.
Judging from Maki's calm cooperation, she clearly knew the situation and was willingly taking part.
Combined with Sai Akuto's behavior tonight… it meant that, aside from Irina, the other two had already understood and accepted everything beforehand.
A powerful tremor ran through Irina's soul.
She barely had the composure to process it. She could only look at her mother with eyes full of hurt, the kind born from feeling deceived and betrayed.
A few seconds earlier, Maki's eyes had rolled back from the intense impact of embracing Irina during the baptism. It took another few seconds for her to fully regain her senses.
Noticing her daughter's gaze, Maki gave a soft, gentle smile.
"Irina… if I told you I meet the requirements for purity, and that I have the right to serve the Son… would you believe me?"
"Eh…?" Irina froze. What had her mother just said?
"Let me tell you everything."
Maki pulled Irina into her arms and pressed her forehead against her daughter's, a glow of holy light flickering where their skin met.
Memories flowed.
Through that most direct of spiritual contacts, Irina learned the truth about her mother.
She learned that her mother had once been "possessed by God."
She learned that, beyond her infancy and childhood, Maki had already cared for Sai Akuto as a baby while in a state of divine possession.
She learned that her mother had conceived Irina "by heaven's will," giving birth without ever having had a partner.
…
As she read her mother's memories, Irina finally understood the whole story.
By any standard, her mother could indeed be considered a "Holy Mother."
And a woman who had never been with a man truly did qualify to receive the Son's baptism.
She had not been tricked.
Maki and Sai Akuto had simply decided to let the facts take shape before telling her.
Realizing this, Irina's confusion and sense of betrayal faded completely, leaving only that primal tremor in her soul.
"Irina… will you accept me?"
Releasing the spiritual link, Maki wrapped her arms around Irina once more and asked softly.
"I…"
Irina hesitated for a few seconds, then finally gave her answer.
Under Sai Akuto's gaze, she closed her eyes and returned her mother's embrace, this time of her own will.
"Mother… I'm sorry. All this time, I've been guilty of ignorance."
"I support you in pursuing what you truly desire. And I'm willing to stand beside you, to help Akuto-kun become a worthy God."
From childhood, Irina had known how unwavering her mother's faith was.
With the "Holy Mother" authority bestowed on her, this path was almost inevitable.
So, she made a decision that was equal parts difficult and hopeful.
She decided to serve as one of the angels attending the Son, together with her mother.
"Mhm… Irina… from the very beginning, you've always been the one I love most…"
Maki's entire being shuddered, overwhelmed by the double impact to body and soul.
For a moment, she could barely do more than respond on instinct.
Watching Maki and Irina in his arms, Sai Akuto could feel his bloodline and energy surging within him, a clear reflection of his satisfaction and joy.
Before the baptism, Sai Akuto had already reincarnated Maki into an angel.
At the same time, the system chimed again.
[Ding~]
[Congratulations to the host for completing the hidden mission: Sword Saints' Double Dance II (building on Irina & Xenovia, now adding Irina's mother Maki and Xenovia's guardian Griselda).]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the reward: Heavenly Reincarnation Pool (Gold).]
[Heavenly Reincarnation Pool (Gold): As the name suggests, this is a dedicated reincarnation system for the cycle of life within the holy factions. Any soul that believes in the host, or that subconsciously yearns to go to heaven while within the sphere of the host's faith, will enter the "Heavenly Reincarnation Pool."
Note: Once the Heavenly Reincarnation Pool is activated, it will operate automatically. Over time, the host will gradually seize the reincarnation rights of a vast number of humans in the DxD World, because Christianity is the most widely spread religion on the planet.]
"Hmm… this thing…"
Several possible uses occurred to Sai Akuto immediately.
As he studied more of the God of the Bible's knowledge, Sai Akuto's understanding of all things in the world had deepened.
With the red-rank "Eye of Truth," countless techniques and combat methods no longer looked like spells to him at all.
They were simply manipulations of rules and mobilization of the world's power.
This newly obtained Heavenly Reincarnation Pool was no exception.
Even though the system hadn't listed all of its applications, Sai Akuto had already thought of many.
(End of Chapter)
[Get +30 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Zaelum"]
[Every 300 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]
[Thanks for Reading!]