The next morning, I headed down to our home's underground shared training room as part of my daily routine.
Most of our training groups would start here with basic conditioning before splitting off, some heading to the Gremory territory's underground facility via teleportation for mock battles and ultimate skill development, while others focused on meditation, controlling their power, and refining close-quarters techniques by carefully observing both their own movements and their opponents'.
But when I arrived—
Rias was nowhere to be seen.
It wasn't like she was late, so I didn't think much of it at first. However, once everyone else had gathered, Akeno delivered a message.
Apparently, after we had all disbanded yesterday, the Gremory peerage had contacted her. Rias had been called back to the Underworld for an urgent matter.
She was scheduled to return by tonight, but depending on the situation—and the risk of intercepted communication—it might take longer.
The Bael clan, huh…?
Probably some internal mess again… maybe another purge of corrupt nobles.
Well, honestly, if those guys got wiped out for their crimes, I can't say I'd feel much sympathy.
In fact… if even the first Bael head disappeared, Sairaorg-san would probably have an easier future.
After finishing basic training and a short mock battle, I headed back to Kyoto to continue my training. Since it was winter break, I intended to focus heavily on that as much as possible.
I was greeted by Kunou, had lunch with Lady Yasaka, and even revisited the conversation about my parents learning the truth about the hidden world, this time in proper detail instead of through telepathic communication with Inuzuna.
In the afternoon, I repeatedly pushed myself to exhaustion, recovered, and collapsed again in cycles.
Then, around evening, an emergency transmission arrived from Kuoh Town.
A Kriem attack had occurred.
And Touji-san had been injured.
So it was today… I don't even remember the exact date.
"Understood. I'll return immediately."
After briefly informing Yasaka and Kunou and gently patting Kunou's head as she worried—I teleported back to Kuoh Town.
=========
[Issei POV]
Man… yesterday was a rough one.
After Rias got called back home and left temporarily, Xenovia came to my room at night saying she wanted to talk. I went to her room… and found out it was that "special baby-making room."
And inside—
Irina was there in a seductive negligee.
Then Xenovia just closed the door behind me.
Boom.
Locked in.
Just the three of us.
We were awkward at first, but somehow started talking about old times like how we used to joke about attacking Santa and stealing presents during Christmas.
Then suddenly—
Irina pinned me down.
A beautiful angel with wings spread out over me.
I swear my nosebleed was about to launch itself.
She took my hand and placed it on her chest.
And even then, no sign of her falling from grace.
Her expression turned even more alluring as she leaned closer.
Right before the kiss—
I felt it.
Eyes.
From the door.
Curious, judgmental eyes.
From everyone else in the house.
And just like that, nothing happened.
Maybe… that door should really have a lock from the inside.
But honestly…
Maybe that was for the best.
I hadn't even confessed to Irina yet.
Skipping that step would've been way too fast.
Rias would've looked really sad too.
I've only properly confessed to Rias so far.
And yeah… doing that with Irina was tempting as hell—but confession comes first.
I could feel it now more than ever.
Ever since I heard Ikki's resolve—that he would make all his girls happy—I've been thinking differently.
Before joining the Occult Research Club, I just wanted a harem of cute girls fawning over me.
But now…
It's different.
I genuinely want to protect Rias and the others.
And that's exactly why I'm scared.
Confessing to Rias took everything I had.
And Ikki? That guy is already three steps ahead of me.
When I think about it… maybe instead of getting interrupted every time, I should just confess to everyone at once.
Lower difficulty… higher mental burden.
I was still wrestling with my own weakness when the next day passed.
=======
By afternoon, I was in a different town near Kuoh with Irina, Xenovia, Rossweisse-san, and Irina's father, Touji-san.
We were checking out a large electronics store for Christmas gift ideas.
We were also looking at Santa costumes.
Honestly, I voted for miniskirts without hesitation.
No regrets.
And Ikki would definitely agree too.
That guy's a total "flash-lover", he probably likes thigh gaps, stockings, and that perfect "absolute territory."² No doubt about it.
Then suddenly—
Rain started falling.
No forecast predicted it.
Probably just a passing shower.
We took shelter under a roofed bench in a nearby park.
"It's unlucky right at the end," Xenovia muttered. "If this were Dulio, he could just fix the weather instantly."
"Don't use Heaven's trump card like an umbrella," I replied.
Rossweisse raised her hand slightly.
"I've deployed a barrier to keep people away. But it's only temporary."
And then—
A man walked into the park.
Carrying a Japanese sword.
A dangerous aura followed him like a shadow.
Everyone immediately tensed.
"Qlippoth?" Xenovia asked, drawing Ex-Durandal.
The moment she did, the atmosphere snapped.
Rossweisse activated a magic circle, and space itself seemed to shift.
"No need to worry about civilians," she said. "But it won't hold for long."
The man's voice cut through the rain.
"…No way…"
Touji-san's voice trembled.
"Long time no see, Shidou-san… or should I say, Pastor Shidou now?"
"Did you achieve your promotion by killing me and her? Congratulations."
Kill…?
But he's standing right there…
Metaphor? Or… something else?
Another voice spoke.
"Church members like Smith and the others… were they your doing?"
"Yes."
"I'll judge you here and now."
In an instant—
He swung his blade.
Boom.
A wave of pure hatred turned into force.
We blocked it but I was blown backward.
Xenovia's feet carved cracks into the ground as she barely held her stance.
Their blades clashed at high speed.
But Xenovia was being pushed back.
I quickly armored up.
"That sword style… it's based on Church techniques!" Xenovia shouted. "You're an Exorcists!"
"Former," the man replied coldly.
"Excalibur… Durandal… a Devil wielding both, and a Dragon Emperor… and even a Valkyrie. This town has become a den of monsters."
He raised his blade.
"…Pastor Shidou. I will need to release this power to eliminate you properly."
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100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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