High School DxD DX - Volume 6 - Chapter 3

Extra Life. Prelude of Excalibur 

In a certain European country. 

Due to an order from the Church headquarters, I, Shidou Irina and Xenovia went down that night to [subjugate a Stray Devil]. 

Since I was appointed as a warrior in the Protestant Church a few years ago, I have been exorcising evil spirits, Vampires, Devils, and other supernatural beings in the name of God. 

It was only the other day that I was called to the Vatican, the home of Church warriors, for the first time in a while. There, I reunited with the Catholic female warrior Xenovia. 

“Hey, Irina. It seems like we are going to become a team again.” 

“Yes, it's undesirable, but it seems like we have an inseparable relationship.” 

I met Xenovia a few years ago. She was a warrior from a different denomination but had the same aspirations as me. I'd heard rumours about her even before we met. 

[Demon of Destruction], [Violence permitted by God], [Slashing Princess]. 

She had many aliases, but all of them told the stories about her battle style. 

Before we met, I imagined her to be a woman with a wild appearance, but in fact, I found myself disappointed that she was just a cute girl when we met. 

Indeed, her aggressive battle style stood out; to be blunt about it, no matter what kind of battle she was in, she would deal with it with power. Maybe I was set up on her side to restrain her. However, it isn't like it's hard to deal with her? 

“Irhina, tshis chake is delishious.” [1] 

When I saw her stuffing her cheeks on a plate full of cake on our day off, I strongly realized that she was just a girl of the same age as me. She was a bit forceful, but when I called her attention, she listened to it properly. ...Although she ignores me sometimes. 

As we deepened our relationship, we vowed to each other to fight for God as Excalibur users. 

“Since we have two Excaliburs this time, we should be able to defeat the opponent without much trouble.” 

Xenovia declared plainly. 

We were visiting a harbour in a certain country because we decided to team up due to the emergency order [Stray Devil subjugation]. 

It was just [by chance] that we received this order. In fact, we came to this country due to another mission, so we were given another job after finishing that mission. In other words, a [Stray Devil] appeared. 

Since we were near the place, we were given the order to exterminate it [by chance]. 

Since it was an order from the higher-ups, we couldn’t complain, but I wanted to shower early, so I sighed. 

“...I wanted to shower early. Geez, those priests are rough at using people.” 

Xenovia calmly said the thing that I was unable to say. I felt a little envious of that. 

When we arrived at the harbour mentioned above, we felt a Devil’s characteristic ki and suppressed our presences. It was a demonic power. We could feel the power handled by a Devil. 

The Devil's demonic power gave a sensation of tingling at our sixth sense as if touching it. It would be alright to say that it felt like some kind of invisible feeling of dread was enveloping our bodies. Anyway, this disturbing atmosphere made me uneasy. 

The demonic power of devils who hold evil emotions gave me strange chills through my body. 

While hiding behind a factory in the harbour, we carefully proceeded to the place where the aura of demonic power was denser. 

“...It isn't a High-class.” 

Xenovia murmured. 

I felt it too. 

It wasn't the demonic power of a High-class Devil. Even between Devils, those from the High-class were terribly problematic and dangerous existences. Above all, their demonic power waves boasted an extraordinary power that a half-hearted warrior couldn't compete with. 

The devil lurking in such a harbour factory may not be a High-class Devil of a well-known family, but it was possible to be someone who had reincarnated from a Human being and ascended up to High-class and hid here. 

Compared to the former High-class Devils of the 72 Pillars who took pride in their way of life as Devils, a High-class Devil reincarnated from a human had no hesitation in dealing with things in the human world. 

Well, even if we were to explore the nature of the demonic power of the Devil this time, whether it was a Devil of the former 72 pillars or a reincarnated one, we couldn't feel the power of a High-class Devil coming from it. So I would say that it was a Middle-class or a Low-class. 

To be honest, when dealing with a High-class Devil, you had to gather multiple church warriors. For us, a High-class Devil was a dangerous existence to that degree. 

However, we couldn't be careless. Because of the characteristics they received from the [Evil Pieces], they were already entirely different from humans. And if they had a Sacred Gear in their possession, the difficulty would go up dramatically. 

We arrived at the factory leaking miasma from the entrance, hid in the shadows, explored the surroundings with a night-vision scope, and then began the final confirmation on the spot. 

Xenovia suddenly said when we were confirming the two-way rush. 

“I wonder what kind of Devil we have this time. From the quality of the aura wandering around, I would say that it is either a Low-class or Middle-class Devil, but.” 

“It seems that the identity is unknown, but he invites the women from the town at night to participate in some kind of ritual.” 

“...Satanists, probably it isn't a sabbath, right?” 

“Yes. Probably.” 

If that were the case, the Church responsible to deal with that would have been moving. At least for now, it's said that it wasn't a sabbath. Perhaps, they were putting the women from the town under some suggestion and guiding them here. 

Xenovia confirmed one more thing. 

“From the talks, it seems like there's another one, on that side, right?” 

That's right. It’s as Xenovia said. It seems like there were two [Stray Devils] to be dealt with in this region. We were entrusted with the one in the harbour. 

“It seems like Dulio Gesualdo-san is responsible for the other.” 

When I told her, she nodded as if in admiration and then raised the cross on her chest. 

“To have the strongest warrior of the Church as his opponent, what an unlucky Devil.” 

The other place was under Dulio Gesualdo, the strongest warrior in the church who happened to visit this place like us. 

Xenovia and I weren’t his formal acquaintances yet, but regardless of his personality, his abilities were first-class. And he was called an exceptional warrior even if we go back in the history of the Vatican. 

After all, he was appointed to subdue the High-class Devils alone. No matter how veteran, tough and strong a warrior is, if the opponent was a High-class Devil, they were sent in a team or duo, but he dealt with them alone. 

...He's unique. Despite being a warrior, he had the permission to meet face to face with the Angels-sama (I've heard from the rumours that he receives orders directly from the Seraph-sama). In other words, it could be said that he lives in a different world from us in various ways. 

Well, let's leave this talk for another time. Now, we needed to subjugate the stray Devil. I focused on our current situation and said to Xenovia. 

“As usual, I’ll go to the back door and set a barrier around the factory. After that, Xenovia rushes in from the front.” 

It's simple, but it's a strategy easy to follow. I close the way of escape, and Xenovia rushes in; later, I rush in too, and we catch them all. We completed numerous missions in this way. 

Okay, it's time to work! 

“?Don't worry, I’ve come out by myself.” 

!? We heard a disturbing voice from a third person from the skies. 

When we looked up, a giant creature with a strange appearance was flying in the air. It was a huge butterfly...no, it was a monster with wings that reminded one of a moth. However, its head was the spitting image of a Dragon. 

...A synthetic beast, a Chimera. Probably it's the fusion of a moth monster and a Dragon. It was the first time I'd seen this kind. It gave a different sensation from the ancient chimeras created by God and the other beings similar to them. 

Looking well, on the back of its giant body, we could see the shadow of a person. It was a young man in a lab coat, like a doctor or a researcher. ...It seemed like he’s a human who was reincarnated into a Devil. 

Because he was using a Chimera that we'd never seen, there was a high probability that he was an alchemist related to monsters. 

On the spot, Xenovia and I took off our white robes and picked up our respective weapons. I untied a thread wrapped around my left arm and made it take the form of a katana. 

It was Excalibur Mimic. Following the will of the user, it could change to whatever form and shape imagined. 

When I surpassed a certain standard as a warrior, I received a ritual to handle this Holy Sword Excalibur together with a blessing from Heaven. I received something called [Factor] in my body. 

Due to that, I was able to handle this Holy Sword Excalibur. And even among those capable of using Holy Swords, only those whose [Factor] were compatible could receive the blessing of the Holy Sword Excalibur. 

I felt happiness from the bottom of my heart when I received this Holy Sword. It’s an honour. Because just like my father, who was a Holy Sword user of the Church, I've become a Sword of God. 

“Be quiet and accept the judgment of my sword.” 

While saying this in a low voice, Xenovia got rid of the cloth covering her weapon and took a posture with the Holy Sword. 

Her Holy Sword was the one which governs destruction; [Excalibur Destruction]. Moreover, she wasn't an artificial user like me, but a natural Excalibur user. It wasn't only Excalibur. She was a specialist in using all kinds of Holy Swords and also called a “Saint chosen by the Heavens.” 

The moment he saw that we were holding Holy Swords, the face of the man on the Chimera’s back changed. The faint and sarcastic smile disappeared and turned into an awe-inspiring expression. Holy Swords were deadly weapons to Devils. By only seeing its form and feeling its aura, they probably start associating it with their death. 

“T-that's a Holy Sword! Kuu...damn you, dogs of the Church! You've come here to interfere with my noble research...!” 

The man sent instructions to the Chimera after leaking out grudge-filled words. For a moment, the Chimera, who was the fusion of a Dragon and a moth, raised a shrill voice as it started moving at an incredible speed in the sky. 

...It's faster than I thought. It would be hard to hit it. 

Xenovia and I followed its movements with our eyes and ears when we found the timing to attack it, and were about to do so? 

“Take this!” 

The man on the Chimera's back released flames made of demonic power at us! Moreover, the Chimera threw itself at us at high speed and came chasing! 

“What?!” 

Xenovia and I dodged it and rebuilt our postures. 

“Fuhahahaha! It's not over yet! To think that you wouldn't be able to deal with this Chimera!” 

The reincarnated Devil shouted this. 

No, it was an opponent that we could deal with, but we knew that many of the techniques used by heretical alchemists were troublesome from experience. This Chimera might have something too, so we couldn't be careless. 

Suddenly, the man turned his sight to our bodies. He looked at us as if licking our bodies and became enraged. 

“W-what...it's...that vulgar mass of fat on your chest...!” 

The man roughly said while pointing his finger to my and Xenovia's breasts. 

...What? Eeeeee? Mine and Xenovia's b-breasts...? He means it by mass of fat, right? 

This combat uniform, which we wore under the white robe while being made of a material with excellent defence, is a type that adheres to the body. That’s why the lines of the body come out clearly. 

I felt embarrassed the first time I wore this, but since it was so easy to move during battles, I quickly became used to it and accepted it... 

It seems like the man didn't like mine and Xenovia's breasts. What is going on? 

The man ordered the Chimera in a fury. 

“My lovely child! Release that! Let's remove those things hindering them!” 

Hearing the man's order, the Chimera flew high in the sky and started mysteriously moving its wings. In an instant, something that looked like glittering powder began falling from the sky. 

Poison? 

Xenovia and I immediately realized something was going on and covered our mouths and noses with our hands. The Chimera was probably releasing scales from its wings. If we were to breathe it, we didn't know what kind of effect it would have on our bodies. 

I wanted to swing my sword to scatter those scales with the wind created by its momentum, but if the scales were to ride the wind and fly towards the town, victims would come out. I couldn't affect harmless people due to a thoughtless attack. 

However, now we know about its weakness. 

While it was releasing those scales, the Chimera’s movements became dull. When it started to release scales once again, it would be time to decide the fight. Let's leap at it at once and cut it in half. 

Exchanging glances, Xenovia seemed to have the same thought, and without exchanging words, we nodded at each other. 

The man burst out in laughter. 

“Fuhahahaha! Those scales have the effect of shrinking the breasts of a woman if she were to breathe it! Listen! Big breasts are a great evil. Big breasts are a hindrance! Small breasts will be the ones to urge the change and revolution of this world! Gaps and sadness exist between women because of big breasts, and due to them, men are driven by an excess of sexual desire! Big breasts are the enemy! Small and lean breasts are the ideals that the world wants...!” 

...I-I don't know what kind of comment I should say about this. 

He was obsessively screaming like that for a long time. I-in other words, he brought women here, night after night, t-to do something about their breast size? 

T-this...should I say that he's vulgar, or pitiful...? Hmm, I was troubled about how to deal with this from the bottom of my heart. It was my first time dealing with something like this. 

Suddenly, I remembered the boy, who was my childhood friend when I still lived in Japan. That child also loved women's breasts. I wonder if he's doing well. 

! This isn't the time to remember this kind of thing. 

The man raised his fist and continued his speech. 

“The man who was the sworn enemy of my research also became a reincarnated Devil! With the wonderful skills of a Devil, he was trying to do evil research! He was trying to make the breasts of the women of the whole world bigger! That's outrageous! Then I had to create a being that denies all of him! And it’s this Chimera that makes it possible...! That's why I have no time to waste with you, dogs of the Church! You'll die here!” 

It happened when the man lit his demonic power in his hand and was about to order the Chimera. 

Snow started falling on this harbour. 

Speaking of which, I thought that the temperature was becoming lower and lower since a while ago. However, it should have been impossible to start snowing. It wasn't the season for this! 

As we realized the snow and the temperature continued to lower, our breaths became white. 

...What's happening? Was it some kind of abnormal phenomenon happening only around this area? 

! Suddenly, I remembered about Dulio Gesualdo. Speaking of which, I've heard something about this before. That Dulio Gesualdo was a warrior who controlled the skies. 

If that's true, was this abnormal phenomenon also created by him? If that's the case, his true power far surpassed ours. If he could manipulate the weather, he was the same as a supernatural being. 

The movements of the Chimera started becoming duller. 

The sudden cold weather may have made it harder for it to move. 

Even if it’s the Chimera of a Dragon, beings who are strong against heat and cold, it seems like its weakness to cold as an insect was stronger. 

As if he realized something, the man looked in a different direction with a look of surprise on his face. 

“Ku...! The reaction of the children that I released in that direction disappeared...?!” 

The direction he looked at was probably the direction to where Dulio Gesualdo headed. For the man's words, it seems like things had already been settled on that side. 

Then, let's end things here quickly! 

“Let's capture him, Xenovia!” 

After shouting to my partner, I changed the form of my Holy Sword to a whip and attacked the Chimera. The Holy Sword in the form of a whip wrapped around the Chimera and man’s body, sealing their movements. 

Then Xenovia jumped up there and swung her sword upwards. 

“?This is the end. I'll judge you under God's name!” 

The sword strike released by Xenovia cut the Chimera in half splendidly? 

“Ku...this is so mortifying.” 

We captured the reincarnated Devil. 

He leaked these words while being taken away by the Church warriors who rushed here. We didn't take his life. After all, we couldn't exorcise him until he explained the things he did in this town. 

The Chimera's body was also taken away by the Church agents. We were the only ones who remained in the harbour. 

Suddenly, I became concerned and confirmed my breasts’ situation, but it seems like they weren't affected by the scales. 

Because we reacted in an instant, it looks like we didn't breathe in enough scales to shrink them. But I was concerned about them, so when we got back to the headquarters, I think that I'll receive a thorough checkup. 

I mean, since they grew until here, I would be shocked if they were to shrink. 

“I guess that with this, the mission is complete.” 

Xenovia muttered so. It was already dawn, and the snow had stopped. 

“Fufu.” 

Suddenly, I started laughing. 

“Did something happen?” 

Xenovia asked, puzzled. 

“No, it's nothing.” 

I remembered about my childhood friend in Japan and laughed out loud. I mean, he was the reverse of this reincarnated Devil and only talked about big breasts. When we were little, he was so cute and innocent. 

I was sure that he was alright and had become a splendid boy. I don't think that he would do vulgar things like the Devil of a while ago. After all, he's my precious friend in Japan. 

I said this to my partner with a smile. 

“Now, let's go back to the hotel, Xenovia. I want to bathe.” 

“Yes, that's right, Irina.” 

Let's meet again someday, Hyoudou Issei-kun. If possible, I might like it if you have become a cool guy! 

Translator's Notes 

 “Irina, this cake is delicious.”