Kuoh Academy.
I walked out of the Rias Club as casually as I entered it, and was now heading towards Azazel's house, which was on the outskirts of the city, as 3rd magic told me. But first...
- A hundred faces.
From my shadow, one of Assassin's faces emerged, awaiting orders.
- Find and observe the newly arrived nun in town. Green eyes, blonde hair. And let me know when she will be hung on a cross in the basement of the local Church," I ordered. - Now, off you go.
Hearing me, the facet bowed and disappeared.
Half an hour later, I reached Azazel's house and rang the intercom. The door opened and there stood the Governor General of the Fallen in his homemade kimono.
- "Hello, is this the home of the uh... Blade of Blazing Radiance and Darkness?" - I said, blinking my innocent eyes.
His face creased and his palms clenched into a fist. He looked around for someone, apparently Michael, but finding no one, he looked at me.
- You must be mistaken," he managed to squeeze out a reply. - As far as I know, no one by that name lives here.
- N-but I was sent to this very address, sir. Are you sure you don't know anyone named "Blade of Blazing Radiance and Darkness"? - I deliberately repeated and made a very surprised face.
- Who sent you! - Azazel shrieked and grabbed me by the collar and lifted me off the ground.
- The Collective Unconsciousness of Mankind," I stated, and a smirk appeared on my face.
He stared at me incredulously, but still lowered me to the ground and asked:
- What do you mean?
- I think we should continue this conversation inside, Governor General," I suggested, adjusting my collar. - Of course, I'll explain everything there.
- Then, come in," Azazel said, still looking at me. - Let's have a talk.
Heh. He doesn't know Alaya, but her title definitely piqued his interest. Anyway, the infiltration was a success!
-0-
Kuoh City. Azazel's house.
We sat across from each other and were silent. After a while, he couldn't take it anymore and asked:
- Well?
- Oh! Right! I didn't introduce myself. My name is Romani Archaman, a nurse at Kuoh Academy. Nice to meet you, Mr. Azazel.
- That's not what I asked," he said with a twitching eye.
- God! How could I have forgotten that! I'm also a Magician," I said, smiling sweetly.
- Enough! How do you know things that only Seraphim know? And what is the Collective Unconsciousness of Mankind? - he blurted out.
О? He even let out his wings and magic. I think he's had enough bullying for today.
- Well, Azazel. You better pour yourself something. After all, you're about to learn things you never thought you'd know," I said seriously.
He calmed down when he saw my serious face, and he thought about it. After a couple seconds, he did go ahead and pour himself something in his glass and returned to his seat, nodding his eyes at me, asking me to continue.
- Do I need to answer your first question? Or should I go straight to the point? - I asked.
- First to the point, please," he replied, taking a sip.
- Do you think there are parallel worlds? If so, is there a starting point or an original version of these worlds? - I asked, creating a cup of coffee in my hand. He only raised an eyebrow when he saw this and pondered my question.
- They do exist. I'm sure of that. But about the other question... I think every parallel world is different from each other, and if there is an original version of these worlds, it's just recorded in some metaphorical archive of the universe," he answered, shrugging his shoulders.
Ho? How insightful. I guess he's considered one of the smartest characters in all of DxD for a reason. Not enough, though. The very rules of this world limit its inhabitants in one aspect or another. Especially sanity. I've sometimes wondered why the local long-lived creatures can lose to some underage teenagers? And why can't they discover the same space travel? The answer is simple. The will of the world itself does not allow them to go beyond the plot. But there's a catch. This rule applies ONLY to its inhabitants. So all this relocation crap makes absolutely no sense.
- Before we go any further, I want to make you a business proposition," I said in a calm voice. - And if you accept it, you will learn the deepest secrets of this world. The payment will be knowledge and help in working with the Sacred Gears.
When he heard me, he thought deeply. After a while, he asked:
- "And if I refuse?
- Well... I will erase all your memories related to the Sacred Gears and this conversation. Also, the entire Christian faction will know about your Blade. And don't hesitate. I can do that," I explained, smiling sweetly and releasing my magic.
Azazel stared at me, but did nothing more. Why? I had released enough magic to suppress his limit just a little bit. And he realized it. After a couple seconds, I stopped doing that, but I was still smiling sweetly.
- I guess I don't really have a choice, do I? - He asked and took a couple sips from his glass. - Why me and not someone else?
- I'm glad we've come to an understanding, Azazel-kun. The answer to your question is quite simple. You know how to keep your mouth shut when necessary. And I understand there are Dragon Pearls here, correct? - I asked, and he nodded.
- You're Master Roshi," I finished and fell silent, waiting for him to figure out the rest on his own. Which Azazel did a few moments later.
- Genres? - He asked, having come to some conclusions.
- The main ones? Romantic comedy, harem, action," I answered and grinned.
- And who's my Goku?
- Issei Hyoudou. A senior at Kuoh Academy, and the current host of the Ddraig.
Hearing me, he laughed, and after calming down, he said:
- Is this the one I sent Reynal and her group to watch? Then there shouldn't be any problems, right?
- Oh! You have nothing to worry about, Azazel-kun. Me and Grandfather will take care of them.
- That's not what I asked, Romani. And who is this "Grandfather"?
- Well... Reynal's group didn't follow your orders, but someone else's. However, he did so under the influence of the Unconscious Will of Mankind I mentioned earlier. And about Grandfather? - I said and paused dramatically. - He is standing right behind you.
As soon as I finished speaking, Azazel instantly turned around and saw him.
- Was that really necessary, Master? - Grandfather asked. - I am disgusted to be around those who have turned their backs on the Grace of God.
- Who is he? - Turned to me and asked a frightened Azazel. - Why didn't I feel him? And what is this sensation of Death that comes from him?
- Good grief. I forgot to introduce him. Meet the founder of Hashashin, King Hassan, Azazel-kun.
- W-what? H-how? How can he be alive?
- I'm not alive, Scapegoat of Heaven. I'm a Servant," Grandpa declared.
Azazel looked back and forth at him and me, as if asking what that meant.
- Sit back down and take another bottle. This is going to be a long conversation.
-0-
After a very long explanation.
- You mean you're from another world and the Unconscious Will of Mankind, i.e., Alaya, caused you to assist the protagonist, i.e., Issei Hyoudou, in gaining powers," Azazel summarized, drinking his second bottle of whiskey.
I nodded, sipping my coffee.
- And it is the protagonist who must defeat Trihexa, who not only will be released in the future, but also strengthened because of this Alaya's mistake? And the main plot events must take place exactly as they are recorded in the "Root" of the world, which is the archive that holds the original version of this very world.
I nodded again.
- I see," he said, rubbing his temples. - Then who are the Servants? I've met the founder of Hashashin a couple times, and he didn't look anything like this one.
- Oh! It's pretty easy to explain. The Servants are a feature of the world I came from. They are copies of Heroic Souls, which are the ghosts of heroes of ancient times and recorded in the Root of the world, who have retained their memories and skills that they had when they were alive. In principle, they can be called High Familiars, as Servants need to contract to maintain their form in the world of the living. In this case, with me.
- You're saying that a Servant can be anyone who has written their name in the history of Humanity, right?
- Uh-huh.
Azazel sighed tiredly.
- Then what do you want me to do? I still don't see the point of you telling me all this.
Well, he's adjusted to his new circumstances and existential crisis pretty easily. I suppose we can give him some compensation for that headache.
- Information. You have agents all over the world. That's pretty easy to figure out, isn't it? Also, I won't fill you in on the plot, for reasons we both understand," I said. - One more thing. At first I had planned to send you only one Servant to help you with the Sacred Gears. But now I'm thinking of two.
- Оh? And who would that be?
- You'll find out in a few days, and my number's already on your contact list. See you, Azazel-kun.
With those words, Grandpa and I teleported to the Emiya Residence.
-0-
Emiya Residence.
A couple days later.
It was a quiet and peaceful dinner at the Emiya Residence. Some were silently enjoying the food, some were indulging in the company of those present, and some were discussing the past (Gilgamesh and Merlin) rather loudly. I, on the other hand, was feeding the two restless draconians sitting at my sides. Emiya was suffering as usual, surrounded by his harem and Alaya, who were throwing death glares at each other and trying to feed him. However, all this idyll was interrupted by the Hundred Faces.
- Master, the moment you spoke of has arrived," I heard the voice of one of her facets in my head.
I stopped feeding the restless duo and stood up from my seat and beckoned to Emiya, Merlin, and Grandfather. They nodded and came over to me.
Well... Let's get to work.
-0-
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