Chapitre 28: Chapter 23: Leaders' Conference & Disruption
A/N:
" " : Dialogue,
' ' : Thought,
"Italicized text" : Telepathy,
[ ] : Spells, Techniques and Sacred Gear Casts,
"Bold text" : Ddraig & Albion.
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Narrator POV
The next day came by quickly, and much later, night fell. The supernatural students of Kuoh Academy had gone through their regular training schedule much earlier than normal, and were now done preparing to attend the conference.
Kuoh Academy's staff meeting room had been chosen as the venue for the conference, and due to the day being a holiday, there was no activity in the school, throughout the day.
The school had been covered in a large barrier that blocked both entry and exit until the end of the conference. Outside the barrier, multiple angels, fallen angels and devils were stationed.
Seeing this, they all understood that the success of this peace conference was critical, because its failure would easily cause the entirety of Kuoh, and even Japan to become a battlefield.
Everyone of Kuoh Academy's supernatural students was attending the meeting, even Gasper, who was shaking as he followed behind Haruki, who was unfazed by the beings he was seeing. Gasper looked at Haruki, wondering how he didn't feel any concern about the situation.
They soon reached the door of the meeting room, knocked and entered. Within the room were the leaders of each of the Abrahamic factions, all standing around an ornate round table.
On the devils' side was Sirzechs Lucifer, Serafall Leviathan, and Grayfia Lucifuge. On the angels' side was Michael, and much to the surprise of most of the students, Angela Strauss and Shidou Irina. And on the fallen angels' side was Azazel, Vali and Baraqiel.
Unlike the other times that the students had come across them, Serafall and Azazel were dressed more formally. With Serafall wearing a dark purple OL suit with some ornaments, and Azazel wearing a suit under a black robe.
""My younger sister, her fiance and her family."" Sirzechs and Serafall said, formally introducing them to the representatives of both Grigori and Heaven. "They were the ones responsible for bringing down Kokabiel a few weeks ago." Sirzechs said, as Sona and Rias bowed, mainly in respect of their siblings' status as Satans, but also to respect the leaders that were present.
"I heard the report. I give my thanks once more." Michael said, and with the dignified conduct of noble heiresses, Sona and Rias coolly bowed.
"Sorry about Kokabiel. He caused you some trouble." Azazel said with a relaxed expression. Vali and Baraqiel looked at Haruki, and greeted him with a subtle nod, which he returned.
"Please, take your seats over there." Sirzechs said, pointing to a set of chairs near the wall. Everyone headed there, with Grayfia guiding them to their seats.
Haruki sat at the front on the seat in the center of the chairs, with Rias and Sona right beside him. Their queens sat beside them, and everyone else sat behind them, except for Gasper, who stayed in his cardboard box, in front of Haruki.
"Now that we're all present, I'll say the preconditions for the meeting. Everyone present here acknowledge the most important event and forbidden subject, i.e The Demise of God." Sirzechs said, and everyone nodded, even Gasper, who had been brought up to speed over the course of the past few days.
"Then acknowledging that, let's continue the conversation." And with those words, the conference officially began.
Discussions moved toward different contributions that they could make to each other's faction to better themselves. The devils had helped the angels develop a similar system to the Evil Pieces, that was called the Brave Saints system, and similarly to how the Evil Pieces are based on chess pieces, the Brave Saints system is based on playing cards.
This allowed the angels to increase their numbers, which was extremely helpful, as angels couldn't engage in sexual relationships without falling.
The fallen angels, or more specifically, Azazel, had given some of his records on his studies on Sacred Gears to both the angels and devils, helping them improve their knowledge on Sacred Gears. This was especially helpful to Michael, as it helped him learn how to better work with the Sacred Gear system which was situated in Heaven.
After they had finished the talk of the different contributions, they called on Rias, Sona and Haruki as witnesses to retell the events of Kokabiel's insurrection. They did so, quickly summarizing all the events of the period calmly.
"Thank you. Now then, Azazel. After hearing this report, I want to hear the opinion of the Governor General of the fallen angels." Sirzechs says, causing everyone's gazes to concentrate on Azazel.
"Regarding the incident of Kokabiel's insurrection, it was an action done solely of his own will and knowledge, kept quiet to the other leaders. While I had some suspicions that he didn't agree with my policy of non-aggression, he didn't show any signs of active insurrection. And while I had sent Vali to dispose of him, I didn't expect that Haru-boya here would have killed him already. That is all." Azazel said with an intrepid smile.
Everyone could only accept his words, as they were nothing but true. If they studied his activities over the years, they would clearly see his intentions to be pacifistic, possibly even altruistic. And everyone knew of Kokabiel's disparagement of Azazel and his methods.
But that gave them an even greater suspicion towards his actions, specifically towards his main interest as of the past few decades. "That is fine, then. But I want to ask you this, Azazel. Why have you been gathering Sacred Gear wielders for the past decades?" Sirzechs asked, worry tinging his voice.
Haruki simply sighed, drawing the attention of Michael and Serafall to him. "I thought that him giving you access to a considerable bit of his research would have answered that by now." He said, causing even Sirzechs to look at him.
"I thought you only picked up that habit when you took in Vali-nii, but it's been much longer, it seems." Haruki said, shaking his head at Azazel. "Hey! It's an interest, okay. An interest." Azazel said with a playful grin on his face.
"Don't worry about his pathological habit of trying to collect Sacred Gear wielders like Pokemon. It's not for any nefarious reasons. He just really loves researching and studying Sacred Gears. Although, I don't blame you all for your wariness, knowing his track record." Haruki said, to Azazel's displeasure.
"It can't be that bad, now. Right?" Azazel said with his signature playful grin, only to be hit with the greatest bit of whiplash he's ever received.
"That's true." "That's right." "That's exactly it★." "In as much as you're our leader, everyone knows that your habits and actions are a bit out of control." Michael, Sirzechs, Serafall and Baraqiel said with admonition in their tones.
"Hah. And here I thought you were better than God or last generation's Lucifer, but you guys are as troublesome as they were." Azazel said, exasperated. "But since we're making peace, I guess my research won't be done sneakily. Making peace between all of us was the intention of this meeting, was it not?" Azazel said, making the atmosphere solemn, but hopeful.
Michael smiled as he revealed that much like Azazel, he too desired peace between the factions, same with Sirzechs. They both understood that their past leaders had led their races down a highly destructive path, especially during the wars that had taken place.
And they acknowledged that it would be best for all of them to move forward with peaceful, and preferably amicable relationships with each other. As after all, another war between the three factions would lead to their mutual destruction.
The leaders had all come to a similar conclusion for their factions and the world at large. Even without a God or Satan, the world would still move on. And with that, the talks on peace between the factions had concluded.
Grayfia began serving tea to everyone in the room, and Michael turned his gaze to Issei. "Since the discussion has been resolved in a good direction, would it be alright if we hear about the matter of Sekiryuutei-dono." As he said that, the leaders all turned to face Issei, causing him to get a bit nervous.
But he stood his ground and shook off his nervousness, then looked at Asia. "Asia. Is it alright if I ask Michael-san about you?" He asked her, surprising her, but she consented.
"Why did you exile Asia from the church?" He asked, astonishing the other leaders. Michael's expression fell, as he felt a slight regret for the action.
"I can only apologize for that." Michael said with a pause. "After God had been annihilated, only the system he had put in place to govern divine protection, mercy and miracles remained. He had made the system to bring about miracles and the effects of holy things like exorcism, crosses, holy water and the like." He explained, sparking a question in Issei's mind.
"So after God died, some problem cropped up in the system. Is that what you're saying?" Issei asked, rubbing his head as a headache hit him, and Michael nodded in confirmation.
"Working the system takes a massive toll on anyone who uses it with the exception of God. Even with the combined efforts of me and the other Seraphim, we were only able to start it up. Compared to the time that God was alive, the divine protection is paltry. It's unfortunate, but those that can be granted salvation are limited." Michael said solemnly.
"And so, we needed to keep away those that could influence the system, especially the Sacred Gears. Your Boosted Gear and the Hakuryuukou's Divine Dividing are examples of such. And Asia Argento's Twilight Healing is also one of them." Michael explained, and Issei got an idea of the rationale behind Asia's exile.
"It was because she could heal devils and fallen angels as well, wasn't it?" Issei asked and Michael once again, nodded in confirmation.
"Her ability to heal devils and fallen angels would have influenced the faith of the ones around her. And since the current source of power and new angels is their faith, her Sacred Gear was a forbidden one that could cause influence on the system. An example of such influence being the ones that know of God's demise." Michael said, then looked apologetically at Asia and Xenovia.
"To lose the both of you was a huge wound for us. But the risk of the knowledge of God's demise spreading among the people of the faith, especially with their proximity to a place with a direct connection to the system, was far too great. I apologize. But there was no other way but to make you heretics." In a surprising move, Michael got up and bowed whole apologizing to them.
Asia and Xenovia quickly told him not to apologize in an attempt to placate the other leaders, saying that they understood his decisions, since the repercussions of him choosing not to do so would have been dire.
But he still insisted, admitting that their current state as devils was mainly as a result of their errors. And even then, they said that they were content and even satisfied with their current lives, as they could freely experience joys that they were kept from experiencing within the church.
Hearing their words, Michael's face relaxed, showing relief. "I thank you both for your forgiveness. Xenovia, I trust you with Durandal. Since you are both a part of Sirzechs' sister's family, I can rest at ease that it won't be used irresponsibly." He said, then sat back down.
"Well, since that's out of the way, let's get down to the other influence apart from the three factions. The Heavenly Dragons. So Vali, what do you want to do in to this world?" Azazel said, moving attention to the White Dragon Emperor.
"If I can fight strong people, then it's fine." Vali said with a smile, and Haruki clenched his hand into a fist, but everyone missed it. Issei on the other hand took some time to think.
"I mainly want to live in peace and become the Harem King. But I know that there are those that won't allow things to be peaceful. So if they come around causing trouble, I'll use everything I've got to kill them." He said with a resolute tone, putting a smile and blush on Asia and Xenovia's faces.
"Harem King, huh? You've got some pretty lofty ambitions, kid. I like it." Azazel said with a chuckle. Issei rubbed the back of his head with a slightly embarrassed face, then remembered that he had something else to talk about.
"Ah, Michael-san, I just remembered. I've got a little favor to ask of you." Issei said. "Of course, what is it?" Michael said with a soft smile.
"You see, while Asia and Xenovia are now devils, they still have an attachment to their lives in the church. Specifically, their devotion to God... Urgh. And so I was wondering if you could help me at least remove the backlash of saying His name or praying to him from them." Issei said, rubbing his temples as his head was assaulted with pain after saying God's name.
Michael looked at Asia and Xenovia with incredulity, as he didn't understand why they would still have such devotion. "In as much as my life wasn't as pleasant in the church as it is now, I still know that it wasn't God's will, but rather a product of the people's actions." Asia said as she came up to Issei and channeled some healing into his head, alleviating his pain.
"I see. I will make sure to attend to it once I return to Heaven." Michael said, with a sense of relief and amazement towards the former faithfuls.
But before any more pleasantries could be exchanged, Haruki's voice cut through the atmosphere with a gravely tone. "We've got intruders, a lot of them. And they're attacking the barrier." As he said that, the room suddenly went silent, then Rias, Sona and their peerage members kicked into high gear, preparing for battle in the blink of an eye.
"How many of them?" Sona asked. "That doesn't matter. They're gonna be dealt with. What we should be worried about is the fact that somehow, some of the intruders have gotten inside the barrier." Haruki responded, surprising everyone, as the implications of such a thing were that a traitor was in their midst.
"Wait. How are the ones outside the barrier going to be dealt with?" Azazel asked. "My mom is quite protective of us, and she's been on some sort of stakeout outside the barrier. So you can trust that those ones outside are going to be dealt with by her. And from what she's told me, she's been wanting some live targets for a bit of practice after, in her own words, getting rusty." Haruki said, sending chills up Azazel and Baraqiel's spines, as they were familiar with Hanabi's sadistic side.
"I see. *Sigh.* Why is it that when those in power try to form peace with others, there's always some dissenters that try their best to mess up everything?" Azazel said tiredly. "Because they're idiots." Haruki replied, his hands covered in scales.
A flash of light went by the window, prompting Issei and Saji to check outside to see who exactly was attacking them. Looking outside, they saw people in black hooded robes firing magic energy bullets at the school building, but failing to deal damage to ghe building, due to the barrier around it.
"Magicians. If Merlin could see these fools, he'd roll like a buzzsaw in his grave. And with what I can feel, they're all around Middle Rank, easy prey for Mom." Haruki said with disdain.
As he said that, they all saw multiple large magic circles materialize in the sky, and launch out multiple elemental blasts that eviscerated many of the attacking magicians.
"Like I said, easy prey." Haruki said, then scoffed. "Man, even though I'm way stronger than her, I do not want to be on the receiving end of that." Azazel said, then lifted his hand. Outside, a swarm of light spears formed in the air, and with a downward swipe of his hand, the spears were launched into another crowd of magicians, killing them.
"Vali, go out there and cause some trouble for the enemy. I'm sure it'll cause them to quake in their shoes, at least." Azazel said, and Vali simply shrugged his shoulders. "Roger that." Vali said, manifesting the Divine Dividing and flying out of the building into the air just fast enough for the magicians to notice.
"Balance Break!" He said, invoking his Balance Breaker. "Vanishing Dragon Balance Breaker!" With Albion's words, a white armor with black undertones and blue gems embedded in the limbs and chest manifested around Vali's body.
Before he got out of the room, some large magic circles had materialized, and we're being used to teleport more magicians in to attack them. The magicians turned to attack Vali in his Balance Breaker, but non of their blows had the chance to damage him, as he Divided the attacks to the point that they were negligible to even the lowest ranking being.
Concentrating some magic into his palm, he unleashed it as a storm that killed dozens of magicians in one shot. The scene was awe-inspiring, but for the people within the school building didn't have the time to bother admiring his capabilities.
As they were all preparing to move out, Sirzechs and Serafall felt a demonic energy signature that was familiar to them, which they didn't expect to ever come on contact with, if their shocked reactions were anything to go off of.
Everyone watched as a woman teleported into the room. She was tall and voluptuous, with tan skin, purple eyes and brown hair that was tied into a bun. She wore a very low cut purple dress with slits that exposed a generous bit of her bosom and legs.
"Good day, current Satans, Sirzechs, Lady Serafall." She greeted with impunity and mockery. "Katerea Leviathan,a descendant of the first Leviathan. Why are you here?" Serafall asked with clear alarm in her voice.
But before anyone else could speak, they all felt a drastic shift in the atmosphere, as the environment around them seemed to suddenly go haywire.
The earth quaked around them, tornadoes began forming outside, and a rainstorm suddenly began pouring down. "Hey, you." The heard Haruki spit out with a venomous tone.
"Why the fuck do you smell like Ophis-chan?" He asked, causing a great shock in everyone in the room, especially Katerea. "Oh, I was waiting to reveal that Ophis-sama had given me power to kill the Satans. But I guess I'll have to settle for just killing them anyway." Katerea said with a laugh.
A laugh that stopped abruptly, as Haruki disappeared from her senses entirely. Haruki reappeared behind her, his hands boasting more prominent, dark green dragon scales, spikes and black claws, and in a clawing motion.
Much to her shock, Katerea had her limbs sliced off her body, and the areas where they had been cut off burst into white flames that caused her to scream out in agony.
"If that mouth of yours is going to explain anything, then it'd better be how you're smelling like Ophis-chan, otherwise I'll rip it off you myself." Haruki said, a boiling rage thinly veiled by a stoic face.
Everyone watched in amazement, as his body became more draconic. Scales grew on his face, spikes grew on his neck, and more noticeable than anything else, were the pair of black horns that grew out from his forehead.
*Horn Growth Pattern.*
They wouldn't know it, but this was Haruki's first ever usage of Dragon Force. This was an ability that dragon slayer magic users had that gave them the power of a fully grown dragon, so at this point, Haruki had the power of a Dragon King, making him the second strongest being in the room, just behind Sirzechs.
Chapter End.
Volume 1 End.
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Word Count: 3,337
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
Bored_Archlich
Bored_Archlich Sorry for the late chapter, everyone. Didn't expect this to somehow take me longer to write this, but it did. I'll try to do better. Thanks for reading!
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone