The atmosphere was ruined for about five minutes, and it took another five minutes after that to calm down.
And the president went back to work. She said she'd send a liaison later... but who could it be?
So we were wondering what to do when.
"Sorry about that. This girl has a tendency to completely ignore the mood when she's not reading the room."
The silver-haired girl said that with a wry smile as a preface, then bowed.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Rienes from Grigori, the Watchers of Lord's Child, a mid-level fallen angel."
"F-fallen angel!?"
I couldn't help but go "ugh."
I mean, we were just talking about how fallen angels are trying to do something in this town!?
Ah man, Rias and Xenovia and the others all look like they're ready to attack at any moment.
The only reason they're not is because the atmosphere got all messed up, and there are quite a few of Rienes' group, making it hard to make a move.
Actually, the headsets on some of their ears. There are parts that glow blue, but those are—
"...Some of the people behind you are Humagears, aren't they?"
"Yes. They're my subordinates, so please don't harm them too much."
She replied casually to Rias, but I never thought I'd get to see Humagears.
Humagears are humanoid androids released by Zaia Corporation, whose headquarters was destroyed a few years ago.
They're characterized by being "robots but with personalities" and demanding certain rights, which is why you don't see them much outside of the Sauzer Archipelago Federation, which is more like a corporate nation than a corporate town. Since Zaia Corporation basically is the Sauzer Archipelago Federation, I heard on some news that various governments and companies are wary of them. Spies or wiretaps, maybe?
So this is the first time I've seen Humagears in person.
I'm kinda interested. Plus the female types are often cute or beautiful.
I don't care about the guys. The handsome ones just piss me off!
"Let's put these kids aside and get to the main topic first, shall we?"
"...Right. That's what's important now."
Nodding to Rienes, Kazuhi looks straight into her eyes.
I wonder what's up - something seems off, like she's confused?
"I'm not saying all devils and fallen angels are just ugly scumbags. To be frank, if you don't corrupt human souls and don't commit evil acts, I have no intention of actively killing you. But since the fallen angel side has already stolen Excalibur, the Church considers it tantamount to picking a fight with us, and the devil side that invaded our territory without justification also requires vigilance, right? About that, I demand an explanation first."
"I can only say that I'm truly sorry for the trouble caused by Kokabiel's independent action..."
...Wait, he really acted on his own?
Receiving our stares, Rienes sighed lightly.
"To be honest, the upper echelons of us Watchers of Lord's Child basically agree that 'a second war is out of the question.' The only top executive who would oppose such a thing is currently just Kokabiel. It was only recently discovered that he took troublesome things and people and picked a fight with the Church on his own."
So what does Kokabiel want to do?
While I was tilting my head, Rias and Kazuhi made faces like they were chewing bitter bugs.
"...Don't tell me he wants to restart the war on his own?"
"Steal Excalibur to provoke the Church, then involve the pursuit team to kill the Demon Lords' sisters. Certainly, if that happened, the glaring would inevitably turn into a full-scale clash."
Rias and Kazuhi look really fed up.
I mean, is it really that dangerous? Seriously!?
Give me a break. I want to peacefully work as a devil and get promoted to high-class devil through Rating Games. I became a second-year, got killed by a fallen angel, had a serious battle with a high-class devil just a while ago, and now this. A top-class fallen angel coming to kill Rias with a legendary holy sword in hand - that's gotta be a lie, right?
While I'm internally wanting to cry, Rienes turns to face us and bows her head lightly.
"Sorry about that. To be honest, the fallen angel side would like to fire the rotten ones if possible, but currently we can't because it would definitely reduce our fighting power."
"Ara ara. To deliberately show off your own incompetence means you can't break through with your own strength either?"
Akeno senpai, she's apologizing, so please calm down.
I mean, I get that you're pissed off about various things, but still, Akeno seems unusually sharp.
Could it be that she really hates fallen angels?
"That's right. About four years ago, Satanael got too absorbed in Sacred Gear research and caused a big commotion involving outcasts from the Five Great Houses, so we've had a troubled relationship with the Five Great Houses - sometimes hostile, sometimes cooperative - making it hard to move."
"...!"
When Rienes said that with a sigh, for some reason Akeno choked on her words.
I don't really get it, so I whisper to Koneko next to me.
"...What are the Five Great Houses?"
"...They're a gathering of this country's supernatural ability users. They're the largest organization of Japanese supernatural users connected to the Japanese government, and successive heads bear the names of spiritual beasts with power second only to Heavenly Dragons, and can borrow that power."
I see. Like onmyoji and stuff like that.
If there are angels and devils, then legendary Japanese beings exist too. Kazuhi was talking about various Japanese faiths, so does the Church have hostile relationships with them?
"The Governor told me 'this is a stopgap until we send the real deal to resolve this situation,' but I'll cooperate as much as possible. Also, separately, I've been told to convey the request that 'to avoid similar situations, we'd like to hold talks between the Three Great Powers if possible.'"
""Talks... huh.""
Rias and Kazuhi are looking at Rienes with extremely wary eyes.
Well, I don't have good memories of fallen angels either, so I get how they feel.
"...What proof is there that your statement is true?"
When Xenovia said that, Rienes smiled wryly and took out a piece of paper.
"On my own authority, I've sent letters explaining this situation to the Vatican and the current Demon Lord government. So if cooperation is possible, you should receive instructions from your superiors, right?"
"...Then we'll hold off on our answer until we hear from the Vatican? If cooperation is endorsed, I'm fine with it."
Irina said that, but conversely, Rias is panicking.
"No way! I just caused trouble for the Demon Lords recently...!"
Ah~. That's right, we caused trouble for Sirzechs, who's Rias' older brother and the current Lucifer, with the Rating Game against Riser.
We lost the Rating Game itself, but he gave me a chance to cancel Rias' marriage under the pretext of entertainment. Maybe the Phoenix family or Rias' parents said something after that.
And now it's a top-class fallen angel - she certainly doesn't want to mention it.
But Rienes shook her head quietly with a wry smile.
"...Was it Rias Gremory? That's a misunderstanding."
Saying that, Rienes took Rias' hand and smiled gently.
"Rather, if we contacted them after someone of Kokabiel's caliber caused trouble, we wouldn't be able to respond. Even if things ended safely, that would be bad for the heart. For something this heavy for a single high-class devil, honestly asking for help is the best approach, right?"
"I-is that so...?"
To the confused Rias, Kazuhi also scratched her cheek in confusion.
"Well, for situations beyond your own abilities like this, honestly asking for help is best. You can't handle it by forcing yourself, and if you try to shoulder it alone, you'll just... drag others down and destroy everything."
Man, that's really convincing.
It feels like she's speaking from experience - could it be based on experience?
Well, she seems like she's had a lot of tough experiences. She seems like the type who tries too hard, so she probably tried to handle things herself and failed.
"You okay? Um... if you have any complaints, I'll listen for a bit."
"...Anyway, it's not something to tell someone I just met."
"Oh my, Kusei is being quite aggressive. It's just like a romantic comedy drama!"
"...Could both Kusei and Himari please tone it down a bit?"
Things are getting all messy, aren't they?
I mean, so that black-haired guy about my age is called Kusei. And that cute girl with brown hair in a ponytail is Himari.
Actually, he's the type to go for it aggressively whenever there's an opening, huh. Love at first sight, I guess.
While I'm being impressed by this, Kiba raises his hand this time.
By the way, his killing intent hasn't subsided at all.
"I have several things I want to ask."
"What might that be?"
When Rienes answered him, Kiba held up one finger.
"First question. What's your fighting strength? If you're not even at a level where you won't drag us down, there's no value in cooperating, right?"
...He seems irritated because of Excalibur, but he doesn't need to be this confrontational.
I'm a bit worried, but Rienes didn't lose her smile.
Oh, that's the composure of an adult. I heard fallen angels have near-eternal lifespans like devils, so maybe she's older than she looks?
"I'm at mid-class fallen angel level, and the Humagear members have incomplete combat adjustments so they're rear support. However~
Saying that, Rienes puffed out her large chest.
Boobs boobs boobs boo— *BWAH!?*
"Oh? What's with the sudden elbow strike?"
"My stupid senpai was drowning in worldly desires. Please don't mind us."
Even though Rienes, who I was looking at, didn't notice... As expected, Koneko-sama.
"...Well anyway, the offense team of Kusei Kazuchi and Himari Ninetail are at high-class fallen angel level or above with their specialized equipment. Plus, we basically handle cases involving Esperanto and Raider incidents where supernatural involvement is suspected, so we have decent combat experience too."
Esperanto and Raiders!?
Those are insanely strong guys who can sometimes handle tanks and attack helicopters one-on-one!
I feel like I'd get easily defeated without building up my doubling. Especially strong Esperanto can fight against an entire infantry company, so couldn't they go one-on-one with Raynare?
Rias and Xenovia and the others are also widening their eyes, probably because it's more than they expected.
But Kiba held up another finger while directing hostility toward Xenovia and the others.
"And one more thing. This incident could be called fallen angel infighting in a sense - you're not going to tell us to cooperate for free, are you?"
Saying that, Kiba stared straight at Rienes while even emitting killing intent.
Is this at a level where we need to restrain him?
"The detestable Excalibur is right there with the successful products. As a failure who was killed, there's no way I can just quietly overlook this"
"Taking it out on others isn't very mature, you know?"
Rienes just said something she really shouldn't have saaaaid!?
Ah man! Kiba's seriously emitting killing intent now!
"...Excuse me. The president asked me to be the liaison... wait, Kiba!? You're ruining your pretty boy image!?"
And now Saji came in and immediately got scared.
Since he's Sona's devil servant (four pawn pieces), he probably got those instructions. The timing's a bit bad and I feel sorry for him.
And Kiba's completely ignoring him while directing killing intent.
And Rienes has a completely unconcerned, composed attitude. I-is she a big shot!?
"Excalibur is just a holy sword, it didn't harm you with malicious intent. Moreover, just because they're successful products, directing hostility at them for that reason is taking it out on others."
After that preface, Rienes held up one finger.
"So, there's one thing I should offer as compensation. The head of the culprit who stained the Holy Sword Project... how about that?"
Huh?
W-why can a fallen angel offer something like that?
While we were confused, Kazuhi and the others were taken aback instead.
"...Don't tell me Balper Galilei is with Kokabiel!?"
B-Bal... per?
We had no idea about the name Xenovia mentioned, but Rienes nodded to it.
"Yes. We also had various circumstances and needed to accept problematic individuals. So reluctantly, we took him in based on his abilities... but it seems he followed Kokabiel."
Sighing like that, Rienes put her hand to her cheek, but I have no idea what's going on.
"...Balper Galilei? Who's that?"
Saji's completely lost with question marks everywhere!
I was wondering how to explain, but Kazuhi opened her mouth while scratching her head roughly.
"'Archbishop of Massacre' Balper Galilei. The initial supervisor of the Holy Sword Project, a man who was exiled for independently conducting mass slaughter of test subjects."
!?
So that guy is the enemy of Kiba's companions!?
"A scumbag who killed innocent children with poison gas. That man who stained the Church's justice is involved in this incident - it's understandable and unforgivable..."
The way she grits her teeth and leaks killing intent is scary.
"...I see. Certainly, compared to that guy, taking it out on the successful products over there is just misdirected anger. Fine then..."
Kiba's making a scary smile too! I-is this okay!?
"Eh, poison gas? Mass slaughter of children? Um, what does this mean?"
Saji's completely left behind, someone please explain to hiiiiim!
"...Then I'll also provide information. The other day, I was bothered by a stray devil exorcist with Excalibur. His name is Freed Sellzen - ring any bells?"
"Freed!? The prodigy who was officially recognized as an exorcist at fourteen, but was exiled for his madness of turning on even allies!"
"No way! For such a man to become an Excalibur wielder! That's not sane!?"
Kiba and Xenovia and Irina too! Don't leave Saji behiiiind!?
"Yuuto! Why did you keep quiet about something so important!"
"Sorry, President. But I wanted to defeat Excalibur by myself."
President! And Kiba!
Saji, Saji is being completely left behind!!!
"...Um. Anyway, could you tell us and that Saji guy about your circumstances? Especially him - he seems like he can't keep up."
Oh! That Kusei guy, well done!!
---
And five minutes later, I gained a comrade.
Saji, you had the same dream as me!!
---
So the original characters' settings finally came out. However, since supernatural abilities should be revealed together to some extent, the setting materials collection will be after the Excalibur arc ends.
Until revealing the name of the original protagonist Kusei, I couldn't advance the story from his perspective, so I had Issei as the main focus. While DxD progresses from several characters' viewpoints, Kusei is the one who mainly handles the first-person perspective. There will be times when it's from Issei's perspective in the future too, but from now on Kusei's perspective will be central.