Beta read by Shigiya, Paragon of Awesomeness and Gamercrusher55
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-Kuoh-
"Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven."
Xenovia was confident about many things. Whether it was her skill as an exorcist, her discipline in training, or her ability to recover from failure and stand back up stronger than before, she held unshakable faith in herself. As Mother Griselda taught her many times, whatever obstacle appeared before her, she was certain that with enough resolve she could face it head-on and prevail, no matter the odds or circumstances.
"G-Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trez…uh, trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."
But this situation was not what she had imagined when preparing herself for challenges.
Hunting dozens of stray Devils had been easy. Tracking down a rogue priest who had fallen to corruption and served with the forces of evil was more difficult, but still within her ability. And basically babysitting her partner — Xenovia had already accepted that as her personal lifelong struggle.
She could face monsters. She could face heretics and heathens. But facing an audience of people sitting quietly with expectant eyes, was another matter entirely. Holding mass before dozens of strangers who had only heard rumors about the church reopening and decided to attend for the first time was something she had never truly trained for. It was far more daunting than any battle. Even Irina looked nervous in her seat near the altar.
Both of them were vested in traditional nun habits, with their combat gear still worn underneath… just in case.
"L-Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from e-eagl—ah, e-evil."
Her voice wavered.
The words escaped unevenly, her tongue tripping over syllables that should have been simple after having uttered them a thousand times in the past. She clutched the Bible in both hands, reading from the marked passage, yet for some reason the letters before her eyes appeared to shift and blur. Some words lost meaning altogether, while others seemed to rearrange themselves, mocking her uncertainty. The harder she tried to focus, the heavier the stares from the crowd became, pressing on her chest like invisible hands.
What the hell was going on!?
She glanced toward Irina, hoping her partner would step in since she was more comfortable facing so many people, but the other girl had her hands full in the back, comforting a crying child who had gotten a splinter from one of the pews. That left Xenovia completely alone at the dilapidated pulpit that still had yet to be replaced, the sea of curious eyes fixed solely on her.
"In… In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Why did this have to be so nerve-wracking? She had seen several priests handle hundreds of masses with Mother Griselda helping them, while she and Irina would attend every single one of them. Yet here she stood, sweating under the church's lights, her heart hammering like she was about to face a Fallen Angel in combat. Shameful, absolutely inexcusable behavior for someone of her training.
"U-Um… excuse me?"
The sudden voice from the front startled her so badly she nearly dropped the Bible. Her fingers tightened, the sound of the leather creaking faintly as she held it too firmly.
"Yes!" she answered, louder and startled than intended.
The man in the front pew cleared his throat, looking unsure if he had done something wrong by speaking. "I'm not sure myself since this is my first time coming here in years, but shouldn't mass be led by an ordained priest?"
Several others nodded in quiet agreement. Xenovia froze. Irina, hearing the words from the back, turned with an uneasy smile that failed to hide her panic. Both of them knew the man was right. They were nuns, not priests.
"Um… ahem! Well, that is indeed normally the case," Xenovia said after a moment, forcing her voice to stay steady. "In most situations, a priest leads the mass, yes. However, if the priest is unavailable, a nun may take his place temporarily. It is one of our duties to ensure that the word of God continues to reach His people."
She silently asked forgiveness for bending the truth, but it was the only answer she could offer without arousing suspicion. Thankfully, the explanation seemed to satisfy most of the congregation.
"Really? I didn't know that," one elderly woman whispered. "I wish I could attend more of these led by nuns instead. I would love to see my granddaughter do one in the future."
"Of course nuns can give masses," another man added. "It makes sense. Why else would they open a church here without a priest available?"
"Didn't we have a priest here about a month ago? Fred or some such? I can't quite remember his name," someone asked from the back.
"Don't call that drunkard a priest," an older man grumbled. "He was a conman playing dress-up, nothing more! Took everyone's money and vanished. I pray that God punishes that thief and makes him pay back everything he stole."
'A bit difficult to do the second part,' Xenovia thought dryly, knowing that Freed Sellzen had long since been slain by the hands of Gremory's Servant. Both of them had heard of Freed and his role in stealing the Excalibur fragments before being assigned to this town in order to hunt him down themselves. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned, and she was disappointed that they had not been the ones to deliver judgment herself. Still, one problem had been resolved, even if not by her own hand.
"I get that… but aren't these girls a bit too young to be nuns?" another man muttered. "They look like high schoolers."
"Um… W-We are old enough." Irina whispered at the back, but her voice went unheard.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Xenovia's fingers tightened around her Bible, the worn leather damp from the sweat running down her palms. Beads of perspiration rolled down her temple as she struggled to maintain composure.
"Now that you mention it, young ladies, why aren't you at school?" a man asked from the pews.
"Wait, I just remembered! My brother-in-law, who lives in Osaka, is a priest! He never said anything about a nun being allowed to give a mass on their own!"
Xenovias's eyes twitched at that obvious lie; a Catholic priest was not allowed to marry… These heretics were getting on her nerves and were managing to replace the previous nervousness with anger.
"Eh? Then how is that even possible?" another voice cried. "Are they allowed to do that?"
"No, they can't hold a mass without a priest!"
"Then what about our donations? Don't tell me we've been scammed again!"
The chatter turned into a rising wave of agitation. Irina and Xenovia exchanged looks, neither certain what to do, the latter nervously backstepping to the blue-haired exorcist's side and putting some distance between them and the crowd.
"Maybe we should have held off on holding mass until next week and asked Mother Griselda for some advice first."
There was that, but both of them wanted to prove to Griselda that they were more than capable of handling things on their own. And… Irina really wanted to move away from the mansion, unable to even look Archer or Rias in the eyes after what they heard that night.
"Should I draw my sword and make them sit back down?" Xenovia hissed under her breath.
"Are you crazy!? Stop being a zealous idiot!" Irina snapped. "You'll get us both arrested, or worse, recalled to Italy!"
"Then you do something since you're so smart!"
"I don't know what to do either!"
"Give us back our money!" a man yelled.
"Yeah! I've had enough of you people coming to Kuoh and scamming people by taking advantage of their faith!"
The noise grew, a chaotic mix of outrage and disbelief echoing through the church. Xenovia's patience was close to breaking, and her hand twitched toward the hilt of Durandal behind the pulpit. The idea of silencing the crowd by force almost seemed reasonable until a sudden sensation made her freeze.
"—!?"
A pulse of power, faint but overwhelming, spread through the air.
Irina felt it too. Both women turned their eyes upward just as a brilliant golden light burst through the roof, scattering rays of illumination across the old wooden beams. The radiance was blinding, yet impossibly soft, wrapping the church in a halo that silenced every voice at once. Even the angriest faces turned upward, awestruck.
"Could this be… a sign from God?" a trembling woman whispered before falling to her knees, tears rolling freely down her cheeks. She began praying loudly, her words quickly echoed by others until nearly everyone joined in.
Xenovia blinked, jaw hung open with disbelief, completely caught off guard. Her thoughts stumbled between uncertainty and wonder as one by one, the praying people slumped to the ground, peacefully asleep for some reason. A spell of some sort that both of them managed to resist? No… that did not seem like it, they were just not amongst the people who had such a thing aimed at them.
"What is going on, Irina?" she muttered, turning to her partner.
But Irina didn't answer. The latter, at some point, had also kneeled, hands clasped and eyes fixed on the ceiling above. Following her gaze, Xenovia looked up, and her breath caught. A figure was descending through the golden light, framed by twelve immaculate wings that glowed with divine brilliance. Each feather shimmered like glass made from sunlight, flawless and pure.
Long strands of golden hair fell around a serene face, the kind that had been sculpted from grace incarnate itself. The woman's body was tall and gifted in every imaginable definition, her presence both alluring in a way even she could not possibly describe, and oh so gentle.
Xenovia found herself dumbstruck, an involuntary word slipping from her lips.
"Beautiful…"
It was beauty that transcended understanding, both seductive and somehow sacred at the same time. Irina too stared as though hypnotized.
The radiant being stepped closer, her bare feet barely touching the ground, long white robes brushing along the floor with not a single spec of dirt able to cling to them. She placed a hand on each of their shoulders… Her touch was warm and impossibly comforting.
"Dear children," she said softly, every syllable uttered by her voice a hymn carried by the wind. "You have both endured much hardship in the name of your faith. But worry not. I have read the letters you sent to the Vatican and decided to come in person to assist you however I can."
Letter? Vatican?
Bu-But… the girl was fairly certain she was only sending letters to Mother Griselda this entire time — not an Angel!
The being smiled, her face ethereally bright yet calm. "Ah, I nearly forgot to introduce myself. You may call me Gabi! Or Gabriel. Truthfully, I prefer the former when among friends, but Griselda never listens to me…"
Xenovia's jaw went slack. The name hit her like a divine thunderclap. A Seraph, one of the highest among all the Angels to be found in Heaven, was standing right in front of her.
Bam!
A sudden loud bang broke the atmosphere. The church doors flew open, slamming against the stone walls. A familiar Heroic Spirit stood at the entrance, having rushed to this place and now facing quite a strange sight. Gabriel's gaze shifted toward the entrance, though her smile did not waver at all.
"Oh," she said gently, "you must be the Gremory's Heroic Spirit. It is so nice to finally meet you, Mister Archer~! My name is Gabriel!"
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Much like in his previous world, the supernatural side here remained hidden from the general populace. Both sides lived apart, rarely crossing paths unless necessary. Yet unlike his own world, where such strict secrecy was born from necessity due to magecraft itself being a limited resource, this one had no such struggle.
In his old world, the discovery of magecraft by new practitioners only strained the already scarce magical resources, forcing mages to hide. Here, that issue did not exist. People from the supernatural occasionally reached out to humans, scouting for talent and possible allies. Even so, a literal beam of golden light descending upon a church in the middle of town was hardly a subtle move.
"Gabriel?" he muttered, momentarily caught off guard by the introduction. That name was far from unfamiliar. It belonged to one of Heaven's most revered figures, the strongest woman in Heaven, someone he had heard mentioned in passing conversations but never once expected to meet — certainly not like this.
"Welcome to this humble House of God, Mister Archer," she greeted warmly, her voice soft yet radiant. "I've heard much about you, and I even watched your performance in the Rating Game! You were incredible."
Archer inwardly sighed. Just how many people had watched that match? It was supposed to be a simple contest between two Devil family heirs disputing a wedding arrangement, not a broadcast for the entire supernatural world.
"G-Gabriel?" Irina's voice trembled as she fell to her knees. The two exorcists behind the Seraph bowed together deeply.
"It is an honour, a blessing, a dream come true to have you descend before us!" Irina exclaimed, voice shaking with emotion, while Xenovia nodded furiously beside her like a nervous bird.
Their overzealous reaction drew a quiet laugh from the blonde Seraph. Smiling tenderly, Gabriel raised her hand and gently patted each of their heads, the gesture so soft it seemed almost motherly.
"There is no need for such formality," she said quickly, laughing with amusement. "You two have done well. I came to check on you both in Griselda's place. It must have been difficult, and I'm sorry I couldn't intervene earlier."
"You didn't do anything wrong, Lady Gabriel! We are willing to die for the Church!" Irina declared, almost shouting in her devotion.
"You don't need to go that far, please," she replied quietly. Archer caught the brief flicker of discomfort in the Seraph's eyes at their words. Though she hid it behind her smile, he could see the trace of guilt that momentarily surfaced before she managed to compose herself again.
"Did you put all these people to sleep?" he asked, glancing at the unconscious townsfolk lying scattered among the church pews, some snoring softly. He could only guess they had witnessed her arrival before being rendered unconscious.
"Ah, I suppose so. It was not my intention, I was only trying to cast a blessing to calm their minds," she explained, lowering her gaze. "But I might have used a little too much energy, and it seems I accidentally… gave them a nap. So I had to descend and check that I did not go too far…" Her tone softened with embarrassment as she poked her fingers together, clearly uneasy.
Archer raised an eyebrow. Was this truly one of the Four Great Seraphim, a being said to have fought alongside the strongest during the Great War, rivaling even Azazel and the original Satans? Her demeanor reminded him less of a divine warrior and more of a shy nun fumbling through her duties. If not for the many pairs of golden wings shimmering faintly behind her, he could have mistaken her for an ordinary woman of the cloth trying to help others.
"Why did they even get riled up in the first place?" he asked, stepping closer toward the two exorcists still kneeling in front of her.
Irina blinked, only now realizing his presence. "Oh! When did you get here, Archer?"
His eye twitched slightly. "Just answer the question."
"It's not our fault!" she said quickly. "We were just giving a regular mass when they started getting suspicious because there wasn't a priest with us." Her shoulders slumped in frustration. "We really wanted this to go well since it's our first service, but it looks like the trials our Lord has prepared for us have only just begun. Still, with Lady Gabriel's blessing, we will surely succeed!"
He sighed through his nose, finding it both amusing and exasperating how these two were such magnets for trouble. Between a radiant Seraph who accidentally put people to sleep when attempting to reassure them and two overeager exorcists reciting their faith like a chant, he couldn't decide if this situation was divine comedy or divine chaos.
"Did the Vatican really station both of you here to reconstruct a church and manage it without a priest?" he asked, his tone carrying both curiosity and mild disbelief. He was not familiar with the rules of Catholicism, but having some memories of how people of the Church in his world operated, a church run by nuns alone was certainly not the norm.
"We received a letter from Mother Griselda saying they planned to send someone eventually, but with how stretched thin our forces have been after the Holy Sword incident, we're not exactly sure when the next priest will arrive."
A particular issue indeed, though not one he intended to meddle with. That responsibility fell on their shoulders, not his. His concern was ensuring they kept to the spirit of their agreement and respected his Master's territory. He had only come to make sure nothing too crazy was happening when a god damn Seraph saw fit to descend.
"Wow, so this is the Holy Shroud mentioned in the reports," a bright voice chimed in beside him.
While lost in thought, the blonde woman had quietly stepped closer, her curiosity leading her to poke his shoulder and run her fingers across the shroud with open fascination. Her blue eyes sparkled as she examined the fabric.
"It has the blood of a saint on it, doesn't it? Is it Saint Martin? Or maybe Magdalene? Oh, maybe Sebastian?"
"What?"
Impossible. The word rang sharply in Archer's mind the moment she started listing off a few names. The shroud he wore was, at the end of the day, a Mystic Code that had aided him countless times, shielding him against unholy entities, strengthening his mind and body, and offering a thin yet invaluable layer of defense in battle.
He had never told anyone of its origin. Not his Master, not even Sona, who had made several fruitless attempts to trace it. There was no record, no traceable history, and even he was uncertain whether the shroud had a counterpart in this world. Yet Gabriel came close to identifying it at a glance and by touch. That fact alone made him feel a bit uneasy being around her. The gentle, carefree woman in front of him clearly had far deeper insight than she let on.
Still, he was not worried, so he shrugged. Neither denying nor agreeing with her. "Meh, close enough."
"It definitely is not the Shroud of Turin."
He huffed, "If I had that, then the entire Church in my world would have gone on a witch hunt for my head." And he doubted that a mere curry-loving member of the clergy could get her hands on something that significant… much less gift it to a random freelance Magus.
"I see," she said, waving her hand lightly, her smile still serene. "I'm simply glad to see an item blessed with the blood of a saint helping you on your journey. If it's indeed one of those people, I met them once long ago. All of them were kind souls, and they'd be delighted to know that one of the shrouds bearing their blood now walks beside a hero of legend."
"Why did you come here?" Archer asked abruptly, cutting her short before she could inspect anything else or spill information better left unspoken around the two impulsive girls behind him.
"Like I said, I just came to check up on Irina and Xenovia, to make sure things were going smoothly. I was also accompanying Michael, who wanted to discuss something before the meeting with the Devils."
Of course. Another one of Heaven's agents showing up wasn't a surprise. Azazel had already warned him that the Seraph would be attending the talk they were having early on.
"But now that you're here," Gabriel continued, clasping her hands together with a hopeful smile, "I wanted to ask for a small favor. To help these poor girls and lift some of the burdens I can't manage myself, could you temporarily take on the role of a priest and hold the weekly service?"
"No." His refusal was immediate, almost reflexive. "I'm not an ordained priest."
"I can make you one!" she replied with the same unshakable brightness.
It was too much innocence, forcing him to take a step back. Unsure how to handle someone this cheerful.
"That's… not how it works, hopefully. Still no, that's not what I meant," Archer clarified, suppressing the urge to cough rising in his throat. "I know nothing about priesthood. I'd be useless at it. And a Servant on the side of Devils working inside a Church? There is nothing normal about that."
"You just need to read a passage from the book and hand out bread and wine," Xenovia added with a shrug.
"I'd rather you keep your mouth shut, Xenovia," Archer said sharply before turning his focus back to Gabriel. "Even if I wanted to, I can't. I already have another job I keep busy with, teaching a group of troublesome students who can barely hand in their assignments on time. And that's on top of taking care of my Master along with the other members of the peerage… sometimes even Sona's."
Gabriel nodded with a trace of disappointment. "Oh… that's a shame. I-I understand, though, you're… busy."
Was she genuinely upset that he wasn't going to become a priest? Just what was going on inside this woman's head?
"Besides, we can't have a long conversation here. Your little display has caught the attention of quite a few people who should be arriving any minute. And my Master has a lot of questions to ask you."
Like flipping a switch, she regained that cheerful expression from earlier. "Of course! I would love to meet them too!"
"Then it will have to be somewhere else." The Servant of the Bow pointed his thumb toward the church's entrance, with the Angel's and the exorcists' eyes curiously following that direction. Beyond the doorway, Rias' and Sona's peerages stood at the edge of the church's grounds with discomfort etched across their faces.
Rider was with them, of course, but the most noticeable figure among them was in fact another blond man who wore a red robe gilded with gold armor standing behind them. Like Gabriel, he too had twelve golden wings. And he was staring at the woman with fond exasperation.
Looking the part of a child who'd gotten out of bed to go sneak some late-night cookies, Gabriel smiled and waved at her fellow Seraph.
Archer spoke again. "Perhaps you've forgotten, but in general, churches aren't places where Devils can freely walk without feeling uneasy. And now that you've cast your spell, one likely brimming with holy energy, you can guess how that's affecting them."
"Oh." The woman blinked in realization, her expression softening into embarrassment as she clasped her hands together awkwardly. "Sorry."
Archer got the distinct impression that among the Seraphim, Gabriel was known more for her generosity than her wisdom.
{Break}
(A few minutes later)
It was fortunate that her earlier display hadn't drawn as much attention to the church as Archer expected, at least for those who were not magically attuned. Most passersby lingered only briefly at what they might have perceived as a trick of the sunlight coinciding with a slightly uplifting sensation, losing interest when they saw nothing unusual.
Those who had attended mass at the rebuilt church, however, required a bit more work, though memory-altering magic handled that well enough. Soon after, the group found themselves seated in an empty café owned by the Sitri family, where both he and Akeno were in the kitchen preparing drinks and snacks for everyone.
"She's far more beautiful than I ever imagined," the raven-haired girl murmured beside him, peeking through the serving window. "No wonder she's considered the most beautiful Angel in all of Heaven. Even I felt my heart skip a beat back there — I'm almost envious of her." She said all of this with playful amusement.
"Did you?" Archer murmured while stirring a cup of hot chocolate, tasting it before setting the spoon down and adding a bit more sugared cocoa. "I was more concerned about keeping that entire incident away from public eyes than pondering her beauty. It's not as if there aren't others in existence with comparable charm."
"Oh? And do you have anyone specific in mind who could match that level?"
"You may not believe me," he said while adjusting the temperature on the small pot, "but Medusa was, and still is, regarded as the personification of beauty itself. The Gorgon sisters were born from mankind's wish for ideal idols, the embodiment of human yearning for perfection. She and Gabriel are from different cultures, different legends, and have different backgrounds, but to an extent, they both embody a similar concept."
Akeno gave him a sly, sidelong glance. "Is that your overly complicated way of saying that you find Rider more beautiful?"
"I didn't give an opinion. I simply stated facts," he replied, tasting the hot chocolate again. It was sweeter than a cup of black coffee was bitter, just as Gabriel had requested. Apparently, she disliked bitterness in any form, a detail that suited her image almost too well from the little time he spent talking with her. Asia also got the same order; that girl and coffee needed to be kept separate at all costs, given how easily she tended to get anxious.
"Hmph, come on. I practically handed you the chance on a silver platter to say my beauty is on that same level," Akeno teased with mock offense.
"You would know that was a lie, and you're not the type to appreciate false compliments. If anything, you'd hate it."
"Fufufu, you know me too well," she said, her laughter soft and melodic — she was not disappointed in the least.
He only offered her a small, amused smile in response. Personally, he found the question of beauty unnecessary and unimportant compared to the amount of attention people kept giving it. He had met goddesses before whose looks could shatter men's composure and twist their resolve, beings who could weaponize allure as easily as any spell.
Some had even tried it on him during battle, and occasionally, it worked. Though only because of their magic, not their faces alone. Gabriel, by contrast, wasn't using any form of enchantment.
So truthfully, he felt people were just getting overwhelmed by the holy presence more than anything else.
"What are you doing?" he asked, noticing the raven-haired girl typing something on her phone, a mischievous grin creeping across her lips.
"Nothing~" Akeno replied with blatantly false innocence. "Just sending a quick message to Rider, letting her know how you said she's far more beautiful and more enchanting than the literal jewel of Heaven. And… sent~!"
"Since when did you two start talking to each other?" he asked, more surprised by the revelation that these two shared a chat than by the fact that this Queen had ratted him out. The idea of Rider even using a phone like that was baffling enough — that woman usually preferred to just read books all day.
"Of course we do! How else do you expect her to keep up with all the gossip around school? She's a librarian for goodness sake; there's only so much she can learn from sitting in one place all day. The students in your class are the ones creating the drama, so it makes sense why you would hear of it directly more often."
"…"
He… he had nothing to say to that. She was right on the merits, yet said 'merits' were frankly absurd.
"And in exchange, she's been giving me tips and recommendations on how to successfully bend you to my will in the future, along with other fun stories and tidbits about you. Apparently, you have a weak spot around your neck?"
And there it was. He immediately regretted learning anything further about this topic. One of his hands moved on instinct, covering the back of his neck while he sent Akeno a warning glare.
"Don't get any silly ideas. I mean it. The kettle's already full of boiling hot liquid, and things can get dangerous quickly when you mess around in this kind of environment."
"So you do after all!"
Damn that woman. Was this her way of getting revenge for the photos and video he had saved on his phone of her in that idol costume that Serafall Leviathan forced her into?
"Oh, she sent another message," Akeno announced, looking at her phone with an amused smile. "She says to tell you that this isn't part of her revenge. The real thing will be much worse." She looked up. "What did you even do to her?"
"Not enough, clearly. I should've done more to break her spirit and erase any thoughts of getting back at me," he muttered under his breath, setting the cups of hot chocolate neatly on a large tray with the rest of the snacks and beverages.
"Alright then, let's go before someone does something eccentric again," he said, lifting the tray and heading toward the main area. Behind him, Akeno's soft chuckle followed.
When he entered the main area, he was greeted by a sight that nearly drew a smirk. The Devils were gathered on one side, holding a tense atmosphere so thick it felt like the slightest sound might make them spring from their seats.
On the opposite end, the pair of Seraphim sat with graceful serenity. Gabriel and, of course, Michael.
Michael's appearance was far gentler than Archer expected, his long flowing blond hair and relaxed demeanor making him look almost ethereal. Gabriel on the other hand was fully immersed in her surroundings, her wide eyes scanning the menu while Xenovia and Irina stood to either side of her, explaining which dishes came from where. The Seraph gasped with genuine wonder at each item, her expression softening into a look of longing, like someone who hadn't eaten in days and had suddenly found Heaven in a café.
Strangely, Asia wasn't with the trio. She sat on the Devils' side, half-hidden behind Issei, trying to make herself look as small as possible. Her posture was uncertain, her eyes uneasy for reasons he couldn't immediately place. Perhaps feeling overwhelmed at the presence of Angels she'd read about or just thought she should be ashamed for having become a Devil.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Coffee for most of you, tea for Koneko and Gasper, and hot chocolate for Gabriel and Asia," he said while setting down the tray. Akeno joined him, helping distribute the cups and a few trays of snacks.
"Thank you for this treat," Michael said, taking his cup with both hands and bowing slightly. "There was really no need to go this far. I feel overwhelmed by your kindness."
He didn't give off the image of a leader at all. Then again, Azazel and Sirzechs were the same in casual environments, especially the latter when surrounded by his wife or sister, acting more like a lazy sis-con than a figure of authority.
"It was the least we could do," Rias replied politely, with Sona nodding beside her. "Going back to the conversation we were having before this, um, unforeseen event at the Church, there are things that need discussing."
"I did receive a letter—ah!" Sona's words were interrupted by Rias, who moved her legs beneath the table. "I meant, we received the letter that mentioned your arrival, but I thought the meeting would take place elsewhere rather than here in Kuoh."
"Yes, forgive me," Michael said, smiling softly. "Gabriel rarely descends to the mortal world, and she's never been to a human café before. I promised her I'd grant at least one of her requests. Since this place was close to the school, I thought we could come here and have a more relaxed setting for our discussion. I wanted to avoid anything too formal or tense."
"No, that's completely fine. In fact, it's better this way. We also want the Angels' side to feel welcome, and what better place than this?" His Master tried to sound agreeable, though inwardly he still believed the school would have been a more suitable choice. Kuoh Academy's kitchen alone was nearly twice the size of his entire establishment, and its facilities were far more convenient for hosting such a gathering.
Still, this location had one distinct advantage: isolation. No humans were anywhere nearby, and the restaurant itself remained closed today due to finishing renovations. The place was set to reopen tomorrow, but for now, it served as neutral ground, protected by a bounded field erected by Sona's group to conceal the meeting from mortal eyes.
"I'm sure you feel tense about our visit to Kuoh," Michael began, taking the initiative. "But I would like to make it clear that we come here under friendly terms. I believe you've already received the basic information from Azazel regarding the events in the coming days, correct?"
Finally, the main reason for their gathering came to light. Archer stood quietly behind his Master, listening as the conversation unfolded with the kind of patience he'd honed over countless negotiations among mages with the help of Rin.
"The coming summit between all three factions, yes," his Master replied. "I heard some of the details from Azazel while he was speaking to Archer."
"And I in turn heard from Rias herself," Sona added while pushing up her glasses. "There have been quite a lot of changes with the vampire factions — all due to the presence of a Servant who took reign and wishes to expand their influence."
"So I have heard," Michael nodded. "In the past, the Tepes and Carmilla factions were both too busy competing against one another to interfere with matters outside of their own territory all that much. For the vampires, who remained somewhat neutral and silent for so long, to suddenly hold a meeting with all three factions involved… I would say it is a clever move."
"They are establishing themselves as a neutral party. More so than before." Sona exclaimed, something which no one denied. "And they will also be entrusted with keeping the meeting safe in the event of some kind of incident. A bold power move, but with a Servant in their ranks, they just might be capable."
But the oldest Archangel had differing thoughts, "Or they are trying to become a fourth faction on par with us. At least, that is a possibility to keep in mind. We won't know much until we have an actual conversation with them during the ball."
"A ball? Wasn't this supposed to be a summit?" Rias asked with several others showing matching expressions of confusion.
"Yes, it is a meeting. But Valerie Tepes, in her letter, has mentioned that there will also be a ball where all guests are welcome to mingle prior to the actual summit, rather than it revolving entirely around a formal meeting between our factions' leaders. That is why I believe there is more going on behind the scenes; the vampires are aiming for something else from this. But as long as it does not negatively affect the peace treaty itself, I am willing to hear them out and attend this party."
Rias looked at Archer while Sona did the same with Rider, both heiresses wanting to get their Servant's opinion on the matter. While he was not sure what Rider must have said to her Master, he had simple advice to give.
'If it means peace, it's at least worth hearing them out.' He offered. 'Yours may have been the most notorious vampire in history, but the Vlad Tepes from my world was a king and hero first and foremost. He ruled a vast land wrought with all manner of threats and is well-versed in politics. A war with all three of the biblical factions will not benefit him or the vampires in the least. And if you're worried about any threat he might pose, you will have Rider and me there to protect you.'
He had no particular memories of ever having any long conversation with that man to get a good gauge of his personality, with most of his knowledge coming from the Throne itself. But he knew that, despite Romania evidently being the vampire capital of this world, it was also the country where Vlad was known as its historical national hero, with the legend of Dracula being invented long after his death and taking inspiration from the brutality he'd used in driving off invaders to his land.
"Gasper?" Rias shifted in her seat to stare at the quiet dhampir who, just like Asia, had used Issei as a wall to hide behind. But now the timid crossdressing boy looked just as uncomfortable as his fellow Bishop, if not more so. Given the topic of the conversation and that this involved his family, one could not simply ignore him. "I will leave this decision up to you. I don't plan on forcing everyone to go there, especially not you. If you want to stay, then I will not try to pressure you to change your decision."
From what Archer remembered, the boy's father was the head of the Vladi family, a major clan in the Tepes faction.
"Y-You mentioned V-Valerie's name… h-how is she?" he asked after gathering some courage and pushing past his discomfort. "I-Is she in t-trouble?"
Michael patiently listened despite how much the boy kept stuttering. Then, he proceeded to reply with the same gentle tone he'd used throughout. "I was made aware that you and Valerie Tepes were childhood friends. Is that true?"
The boy nodded, "Yes… s-she was the only one I was able to play with… She made me wear a lot of cute clothes."
"So she's the one responsible for creating this trap—argh!" Issei shouted in the background, only to be swiftly struck in the stomach by Koneko.
Michael chuckled, "She is indeed someone quite precious to you. Then be assured, she is in no trouble and has been doing very well for herself of late. After all, Valerie Tepes is currently the sole reigning queen of all vampires and the Master of Lancer."
"She's what!?" the damphir exclaimed in disbelief, mouth hanging open and eyes shrinking at that news. "Valerie's the queen? H-how? What happened to the previous King Tepes? O-Or Queen Carmilla?"
Most of Gasper's prior hesitation to face Michael was now nowhere to be seen. He was far more worried about what was going on with his childhood friend than anything else.
"We don't know much of what occurred to lead to this outcome, unfortunately." Was all the answer he got from the Seraph. "You must understand, all of these changes with the vampires appear to have happened in the span of a few months at most, and they've always been secretive. We ourselves are curious what changed and what hasn't."
The difference between Gasper's previous state and the current one was quite apparent. Swiftly looking at Rias with a worried expression. "I think we should go as well. Can you take me along, please? I-I will try my best to be brave!"
His enthusiasm made the redhead smile and pat his head a couple of times before turning to face Michael.
"Fine, the Gremory group will attend this ball, and we're also willing to sit in on the summit if requested. We shall be accompanying my brother and any other present Satans."
"And so will the Sitri."
The two heiresses had formed a united front.
"Wonderful. While I understand this may seem sudden, this meeting was necessary after the incident with Kokabiel and the chaos his actions caused. His interference nearly threw all three factions into another war, and he would have succeeded were it not for your group's bravery. As you can imagine, none of us can afford such a conflict again, Heaven least of all. Our numbers have been dwindling year by year since the last war. Another conflict on that scale would mean the Angels' extinction."
"I cannot help but ask whether that might be a bit of an exaggeration," Sona interjected. "I won't assume anything about the Fallen, but surely the biblical God wouldn't allow such a thing for His children who still bask in His light, would He? Couldn't He just create more Angels if He wished?" she asked with genuine curiosity, and truthfully, the girl had a point. If the being who created Heaven was as omnipotent as the Bible claimed, then creating more Angels shouldn't have been an issue.
Unless, of course, something else stood in the way.
Both Michael and Gabriel fell silent at that. Gabriel's gentle expression faded slightly, her smile losing warmth as she exchanged a brief glance with her brother. Michael cleared his throat, his posture growing more formal as he addressed her question.
"Well, you see," he said, "things are unfortunately a bit more complicated than that. While I would love to be honest with you all and explain the details, I believe it's best for that particular matter to be revealed during the summit itself. All the relevant parties will be present, and the context will make things clearer then. Such important information cannot be disclosed in such an open area."
That intentionally vague nonanswer alone raised a few eyebrows. Archer could tell that his Master had picked up on the implication that something significant about the biblical God was being withheld. Michael's composure remained steady despite the atmosphere in the room having noticeably shifted, though the group kept their calm.
"But before we move to Romania itself," Michael continued, "I know tensions are still high between our factions. I don't want old grudges to cloud our judgment or affect the decisions we make moving forward. That's one of the reasons I came here personally, to act as a peacemaker, so to speak, and to address any wrongs we may have committed in the past, particularly toward members of your group. And there is someone in particular among those gathered here whom I wish to speak to."
As his gaze shifted, it fell upon Asia, who froze like a startled rabbit under his attention. She instinctively tried to steady herself, clasping her hands and forcing a nervous smile despite the tremor in her voice.
"Th-There's no need for that, I'm v-very grateful for your con-consideration, L-Lord Mi-Michael," she said softly, her words trembling despite her effort to remain composed.
Michael's expression softened, though his tone stayed solemn. "I understand your hesitation, Asia Argento. I also know my words can't undo what was done. You were excommunicated for reasons that should never have justified such a punishment. In another time, your actions would not have been seen as heretical. But given the state of the world and the fragile balance between our factions, harsh decisions had to be made. And though I am a Seraph, there are matters even I cannot overturn without first overturning the entire system left to us by our beloved Father."
He paused, then added with quiet sincerity, "But if you have a wish, any request within my power to grant, please, tell me. I will see it done."
"Asia would like to continue praying."
Rather than the blonde answering, it was Issei who spoke for her instead.
"She tries to pray whenever she can, sometimes out of pure habit alone. But when she does, she ends up getting headaches and migraines. I still can't forgive what was done to her just because she saw someone in pain and went to help them. She didn't deserve any of it. But at the very least, could you let her continue praying to your god without suffering for it every single time?"
"Of course!" Gabriel's voice rang out instantly, not even giving Michael the chance to respond. "We can clearly see that her devotion to our Father is as pure as it could ever be. Even after becoming a Devil, she still keeps Him cherished in her heart. Such faith cannot be overlooked. So even if my brother were to deny it, I would personally grant her the right to pray."
"I wasn't going to deny it, you know," Michael replied, though Gabriel ignored him completely.
"So ask for something else," she added instantly. "Consider this my gift to you."
"Um… I-I don't know," Asia murmured, her voice trembling. "I didn't even think about it. Just being able to pray again is already something I never imagined possible, and is more than I could ask for." She spoke on the verge of tears, her words faltering as emotion swelled in her throat.
At that moment, Archer felt a rare sense of pride while watching the brown-haired boy who had spoken up for her. Despite his foolish perversion and constant breast-obsessed antics, Issei possessed a good heart and a loyalty to his friends that never wavered. Even whilst captivated by Gabriel's angelic beauty, he still made sure Asia's feelings came first. The sight briefly made Archer smile, faintly but sincerely.
"Take your time. Whatever it is, you can tell it to Xenovia and Irina, who will convey it back to me. I will personally make sure to grant your wish, even if I have to descend for it." Gabriel said, with her brother making a tired face.
"We did talk about how this was going to be a one-time thing, didn't we?"
"It's only for a small matter! Besides, you already are overworking yourself to death, so have me help out from time to time." Michael did not say anything to that. Taking his silence as agreement, Gabriel turned back to them. "Then that leaves us with two others whom we believe deserve something in return for the wrongs they endured."
Her eyes, joined by Michael's, shifted toward Archer and Yuuto. The sudden attention from both archangels made the latter tense up unconsciously.
"M-me?" he stammered, unsure how to respond.
"Yes," answered the Chief of the Angels, his tone honest. "The experiments conducted by Valper Galilei were monstrous and inhumane. Even so, I must confess that his findings contributed greatly to the Church's development of Holy Sword users, both natural and artificial. It is not an advantage I can deny, though I fully condemn his cruelty. I despise the man and his actions, even though his soul has long since departed this world. I cannot bring back the dead, nor can I reunite you with your family, though you deserve that more than anyone. But to express our regret, and to thank Archer for ensuring Kokabiel's plans for war never came to pass while saving two precious lives in service to the Church, we have brought two gifts for both of you."
He raised his arms, light gathering around his palms. Two objects appeared before them, glowing softly as divine radiance filled the room. One object in particular seized Archer's attention.
It was a sword. A holy sword, forged with powerful dragon-slaying properties, its surface etched with radiant light that shimmered faintly as though alive.
"Ascalon?" Archer said, unable to hide his surprise. He stared at the blade that had once been wielded by this world's Georgios, its form entirely different from the one resting within his Reality Marble. Though they shared a name, the difference between the two was ridiculous, such that they could hardly be compared, just like the blatant differences between the Excalibur of this world and his own.
"I see you recognize it," Michael said, smiling faintly. "Yes, this is the Holy Sword Ascalon, once used by Saint George when he felled a mighty dragon. Given that your group includes Kiba Yuuto, who wields Sword Birth and a Heroic Spirit proficient in swordsmanship despite his stated class, it was the only thing I could think of that would suit this occasion. Whether you take up this blade yourself, give it to someone else, break it, or abandon it — that decision is yours alone."
He placed the weapon gently on the table in front of them, its light dimming to a steady glow. "I know your history with holy swords, Yuuto, and realize that accepting a gift such as this may not come easily. But please do not look at Ascalon as the same sword that took so much from you, and know I do not intend to reclaim it. If you wish to destroy it, you may. Neither I nor Heaven will object."
Yuuto's face shifted with unease, his eyes flicking between the sword and Archer. The older man simply shrugged. "Don't look at me. I've no use for that blade. I already have plenty of dragon-slaying weapons."
Indeed, the sword's blueprint was already etched within his Reality Marble, and its otherworldly 'twin' now rested beside it, half-buried in the ground. Though superior in craftsmanship and design to the broken Excalibur fragments, this Ascalon felt more reliable as a sword and something of a much higher quality. It mattered little.
"And to you, Archer, for thwarting Kokabiel's plan," he continued, "and for giving both Irina and Xenovia a place to belong in Kuoh, I would also like to offer you this final gift."
"You don't have to," Archer said no before he even looked at what was offered. "I already have all the weapons I need. And if you don't know yet, a Heroic Spirit fights best with their own Noble Phantasm."
"We know," Gabriel replied, even as she set a box on the table. "But this is not a weapon. Please, look. I made it myself after careful consideration. It is our duty to reward a saint for keeping the innocent safe."
At the word saint, Archer made a short, involuntary sound, and a few people around the table couldn't help but laugh.
"Not you too. Don't tell me the whole of the Church and even Heaven has fallen for the saint line?"
"Well, it is unusual to find someone wandering around wearing a shroud with holy properties. Even Xenovia and Irina suspected you might be a saint born in Japan, like Amakusa Shirou," she added. He then looked to the two behind her. They were suddenly staring anywhere but at him, their faces faintly pink with embarrassment for spreading that false rumour.
"Noble Phantasms reflect the legend tied to a Heroic Spirit," Archer said. "As far as I know, Amakusa Shirou was not known for using twin blades like mine or for firing arrows in this world."
"Especially using a European-style bow," Sona muttered, sounding half amused and half thoughtful, as if she had once suspected the same possibility and then discarded it.
The mood grew lighter, and Archer decided to humour them. He took the box Gabriel had pushed forward and lifted the lid.
He stared, speechless. "You can't be serious."
{Break}
-Occult Research Clubroom-
After the meeting at the café, the various groups broke up to make their own preparations for traveling to the summit in Romania. Archer and his Master's peerage returned to the clubroom to gather supplies and talk among themselves a bit before they all went home to begin packing.
During this, Yuuto sat on one of the couches, holding Ascalon without the holy blade rejecting him in the slightest, an odd expression on his face.
"Your hand isn't even burning," Issei observed, reaching out and carefully touching the sword with his gauntlet. He expected pain but felt none. "Wait, does that mean both of us are natural holy sword users?"
"I highly doubt that is the case for you, Partner," came a voice from within Issei's Sacred Gear. "You are covering your hand with my gauntlet that is inherently draconic rather than demonic. While I certainly have no desire to touch the blade's edge, the hilt is no danger. But if you wish, you could try touching it without the Sacred Gear and see if you are truly a natural."
"…I'd rather not."
"I was joking. Its holy properties are not as dense as even the fragments of Excalibur. You may feel uncomfortable, but even holding this sword barehanded will not kill you unless you cut yourself on it."
Ddraig's remark was blunt but fair. After all, the blade had been forged to slay dragons more than Devils, despite being classified as a holy sword.
"So what will you do with it, boy? The Seraph gave it to you, after all."
The blond Knight hesitated, then set the sword on the table. "I don't feel comfortable using a holy sword, yet. If nobody needs it, and someone else can use it better than I could, then I'd like you to take it, Archer."
Archer waved his hand.
Another Ascalon shimmered into being, appearing on the tabletop, an exact copy of the one the Knight had been holding, even including the dim golden glow.
Yuuto's eyes went wide, then he laughed. "Right, I forgot about that. Can you copy any weapon you see?"
"It depends. My magecraft is not absolute. Not every weapon or construct I have faced can be replicated. For example, I cannot recreate Divine Constructs whose origin is beyond human comprehension."
"Then I suppose… I should probably give it to Issei."
"Me?" Issei pointed at himself. "I can't use swords! I'll probably just cut myself! But then again, I probably would look quite cool when using it…"
"I can teach you," Yuuto offered with a grin. "Archer and I train together a lot. I can at least show you basic handling. You might actually become useful with it after a few spars."
"Wait, seriously? You're willing to teach me swordsmanship? I still feel like it would be best for you to keep it, but I won't deny that swinging that thing around would be hella cool." Issei's enthusiasm was immediate, then suspicion flared as he took a step back. "Wait, are you just trying to get something from me? Like I keep telling you, I'm not into guys!"
"I am certain we will get along just fine, Issei. I look forward to training you, starting tonight. Don't worry about where we'll meet up, I know where you live." The blonde Knight left with that parting barb.
"O-Oi! What do you mean by that!? I swear if you appear anywhere near my house at night, I will break your balls!" Issei gave chase, shouting, with Yuuto half laughing in the distance as he easily outran the Pawn.
As for Archer, who just watched the two of them leave, he couldn't help but think about the idea of either of them using a sword like that. Owning a Sacred Gear was already a heavy advantage. Learning how to use a Noble Phantasm-grade sword well could prove useful in a dangerous situation.
One by one, the other members of the peerage collected their things and left, with Kiyome leaving last as she still had many contracts to fulfill elsewhere. Archer found himself left alone with Rias, who had been quiet until now.
"Is something bothering you, Master?" he asked.
Rias looked at him, her gaze steady and unreadable. "What did you tell Yuuto back there? Was it the truth?"
Hm? It took him a second to recall that part of the conversation. "Do you mean about my magecraft? I believe we already had this discussion before. Is there something in particular you want to know about Projection magecraft? And yes, it is the truth, this Ascalon is not a Divine Construct, thus I can recreate it without any issues."
The girl shook her head. "No, I am not asking about that. I'm asking if… Hey, Archer, did you perhaps leave out some information about your abilities before?"
The Servant's eyes narrowed, wondering if he had mentioned something that could have caused a misunderstanding.
"I don't believe so. As an Archer class Servant, I don't have that many skills to begin with, and you have seen me use my magecraft several times before. That's part of my Noble Phantasm, after all. Even my parameters, I remember you asking several questions about them when I first arrived, which I answered to the best of my ability. Is there perhaps something else weighing on your mind?"
"If Projection magecraft is your Noble Phantasm… then what was that world you created, against Saber, Berserker, and Tannin?"
'Oh…'
It was at this moment that the man had the urge to smack his own forehead for that oversight. It was not something he was intentionally trying to hide, but rather the mere concept behind that magecraft would not necessarily be necessary for his Master to know.
Rias continued. "Unlimited Blade Works — The World of Endless Blades." She said the full name softly, reading something in front of her that was invisible to his eyes, while he remained quiet.
"A Reality Marble — high-class magecraft that embodies the user's internal world that they can imprint upon the world as a bounded field. It is the definite ability obtained by someone whose life was saved by a sword, actually merged and lived with a sword, and acted as a sword all of their life."
'This information, how did she… The Servant profile. It must be different in this world than the one for the Grail Wars in Fuyuki. Even Rin did not get this much information.'
As if she guessed the thoughts going on inside his mind, Rias answered. "Several lines of information that were not present before have now appeared to me."
"I see," he replied calmly, not adding anything to that statement and waiting to see her reaction.
"I remember when you were facing Berserker, when he unleashed his Noble Phantasm, my mind went blank with so many negative emotions that even now give me nightmares unless you're holding me. Even though it lasted only for a brief moment, I remember how that nightmare ended, when I opened my eyes in a completely different world surrounded by swords, and a hazy sky filled with giant gears. Blades of every variety imaginable filled the land for as far as the eye could see. Whether it be demonic, holy, or some other attribute, there was just no end to them."
She took a moment to gather her breath, staring back at him with various emotions in her eyes. "I did not know what to think of it back then, with everything going on around me. Even after the fight, all I cared about was seeing you recover. Nothing else mattered to me."
"Which I did, thanks to your help," he said while leaning against the window, looking outside to see Murayama and Katase run several laps around the school's track field in their gym uniform. The girls seemed to look over to his location at that moment, but he very much doubted they could actually see him from that distance.
Rias continued as though he hadn't spoken. "Looking back at that moment, now I realize that something just did not add up. That world, that cannot possibly just be simple Projection magecraft. And now seeing this information in front of me, I can't help but wonder… is this your true Noble Phantasm? A Reality Marble?"
He knew that this conversation would happen one day; it was always just a matter of time. She had seen enough of his life through the Dream Cycle to have a better understanding and context behind its existence. He'd feared telling her this information earlier would have planted seeds of misunderstanding that could complicate things. But now the time had come.
"Long story short, yes. It is a single spell that allows me to create weapons and store their blueprints inside my soul — I don't create swords, but instead a world filled with swords. I can simply choose to bring out individual blades into the real world as I see fit. I did not lie to you, nor did I hide much. At the end of the day, it is Projection magecraft, albeit with a few extra steps that I invented."
"A Reality Marble… what is it?" she asked, a somber tone filling her voice. "What is Unlimited Blade Works, Archer?"
He sighed. "Like what you have read, think of it as a bounded field. The most advanced kind of bounded field, in which the complexity closes in on True Magic. It projects and materialises one's inner world onto the outside, overwriting it for a brief moment. What you saw there was my inner world, as you were within range to be drawn in when I unleashed it to defeat Berserker."
The information was very brief, but he felt no reason to give the full explanation, deciding that it would not bring any benefit.
"Your inner world… your soul?" Realization slowly started to dawn upon the heiress' face.
"Yes, you can think of it like that," he nodded, not bothering to hide anything when the question had been asked so directly.
"That world… I remember how off it felt. While there were swords everywhere, it felt… grim. Hollow, even. Surrounded by a thick haze formed of embers of black smog rising from the ground. The more I remember that moment, the more sick I should have felt back then, yet I didn't." Her hands clenched, barely managing to keep her voice stable. "Everything inside… was just wrong. If that is what your soul is supposed to be, then it's wrong. There was nothing that even resembled hope. It was empty of any of the joys that are supposed to define life."
Archer found himself unsure how to answer, for just having seen his Reality Marble once, she got a lot more insight than he could have imagined. His inner world was not a pretty sight, which anyone would understand at a glance, but for her to also gather that much made him question if there were other factors making her feel those things. Maybe their connection?
"From the Dream Cycle, all I could see was you fighting, killing again and again without any end. You saved countless people, yet they repaid you with hatred and distrust. And for all your efforts, every single soul you saved… that's where you ended up. Archer, is this why you hate the idea of a hero? Because you lost all faith… all hope?" Her eyes grew misty, but she did not cry, forcing herself to stay under control. "Because all your efforts just left you with this hollowness that became ingrained so deeply into your very soul?"
That was surprisingly close to the truth, but also not quite the full story. Of course, that was arguably even more depressing.
"Hah, it is both a complicated and simple matter, Master. My life was not one with a happy ending, as you've seen, though I accepted that long ago. The Reality Marble merely reflects what I have already said. Before you ask, it is not something that can be changed with a snap of a finger, so don't get any funny ideas."
Stepping away from the window, he went to her side, placing his hand gently on her shoulder. "Did it disturb you that much?"
She shook her head. "No, I just… I just wish that perhaps I could have seen more light in you. Ever since you came here, I've seen you smile and laugh so much, even if there are moments of danger, or you need to be strict with us to make sure we're safe. I just hoped that… that well, some of that could have been reflected in your soul. That I did enough to bring you at least a little happiness."
So that was what put her in such a mood; had it not been for the strained atmosphere, then he would have chuckled.
"Are you afraid that I am merely pretending to be happy to please you, Rias?"
This time, she nodded her head. Leaning against his arm and holding onto his hand. "Yes… I'm afraid that one day, you'll want to go back. To leave me. That I was not good enough to grant you your wish."
"Hn," he hummed at that comment, "Well, you are unfortunately wrong, Master. I do, in fact, enjoy my time here and have no plans on going back anytime soon. Maybe, if a miracle happens, then you will see some changes in my inner world. But for now, know that I am content. And I hope that you are too, even if it means having a Servant like me."
"That's a stupid question to ask," the girl exclaimed, getting up from her chair and grabbing him by the collar before planting an intensely sensual kiss on his lips. This went on for several long seconds, with the girl pouring every single ounce of affection into that gesture until she separated just to breathe.
"Does… hah… does that answer your question?"
"A simple yes would have sufficed," he said, amused by how passionate this girl could be at times, even as he wrapped his arms around her. "Though all things considered, it's really my fault for asking in the first place. I won't do it again."
"Good! Then let's get prepared for our trip to Romania. We will get there a few days before the main event, so we can finally have a proper date! And you better believe I intend to enjoy at least a few dances with you at this ball we're going to!" she said loudly, walking towards the door while he remained behind with his arms crossed. Yet just as she opened the door, Rias stopped and slowly looked behind with an unreadable expression on her face.
"Hey, Emiya. You aren't… hiding anything else from me, are you?"
For all intents and purposes, she knew practically everything about him. But for one particular part, Archer knew full well what would go on in her mind if she were to find out that truth. Most likely, despair of how she was truly powerless to change the fate of Heroic Spirit EMIYA, no matter how hard she tried.
For his true existence continued to sit upon a hill of swords even as they were having this very conversation — bound for all eternity to the Counter Force as one of its Guardians.
This kind, beautiful young Devil wished so earnestly for a reality that could never exist, and he was not willing to ruin that for her. She deserved her happiness, as did every other member of the peerage. They still had their whole lives to look forward to.
His time had long since passed.
So with a reassuring smile, he answered, "No. I have nothing else to hide from you at all, Rias."
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The next 5 chapters of Snafu, and my other Fate fics (Fate Coiling Sword with 3 chapters, A Fake Familiar Reborn with 3 chapters, Steel Eyed Faker soon to be 3 chapters, Hound having 3 and To love a sword having 4 chapters) are already available on my P@treon. With 4 more Broly chapters at /NimtheWriter. Also, I post commissioned arts on each story, already posted a few on an Archer's Promise, Broly and Snafu.