Arthur, Valerie, and the three Oni brothers walked through the palace after returning from their hour-long investigation.
Ichimaru stretched both arms over his head with an exaggerated groan.
"Ahhh! My legs are dying!"
Niimaru rubbed his calves.
"I've never walked this much in my life."
Sanmaru nodded solemnly.
"We deserve a nap."
Arthur raised an eyebrow and thought.
(These three have been complaining for thirty minutes.)
They arrived outside one of the palace's reception rooms.
Before Arthur could slide open the door, Ichimaru suddenly snapped his fingers.
"Oh crap!"
Arthur looked back.
"What is it, Mosshead?"
Ichimaru dramatically gasped.
"I just remembered I promised the kitchen staff I'd help them taste-test tonight's dinner!"
Arthur blinked.
"...Taste-test?"
Niimaru nodded with complete seriousness.
"Very important duty."
Sanmaru folded his arms.
"Someone has to ensure the food isn't poisoned."
Arthur stared.
"You're telling me the palace entrusted the three stooges with food safety?"
"Exactly!"
Ichimaru proudly pointed at himself, not knowing the meaning of the word 'stooges'.
Arthur looked between the identical triplets.
"Somehow I'm not even surprised."
Arthur slowly looked toward Valerie.
"Do you believe this shit?"
Valerie covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"Maybe a little bit."
Ichimaru suddenly began pushing his brothers down the hallway.
"COME ON! We have incredibly important Oni business!"
Niimaru waved.
"Good luck!"
Sanmaru bowed politely.
"See you later, Arthur-sama, Valerie-sama."
Before Arthur could even respond, the Triple Threat Trio disappeared around the corner at full speed.
Arthur watched the now empty hallway.
"Those guys somehow became less reliable as they kept talking."
Valerie giggled softly.
"I think they simply wanted to avoid more work."
Arthur nodded.
"I'm starting to understand why Cao Cao begrudgingly accepted them as his disciples."
With that out of the way, he slid the reception room door open.
Inside, Yasaka and Cao Cao were already waiting.
Tatami mats covered the floor while a low lacquered table rested at the center of the room.
Several teacups sat neatly arranged atop embroidered coasters, steam lazily rising from freshly brewed tea.
Behind Yasaka, one of the shoji screens stood partially open, revealing the palace garden outside where koi fish swam beneath the rising moonlight.
Cao Cao looked considerably healthier than he had earlier.
Gone was the comically mummified expression that had resulted from whatever "unfinished business" Yasaka had dragged him away for.
Although Arthur noticed the Heavenly Lancer still looked slightly tired around the eyes.
"Rough recovery?"
Arthur asked with an amused grin.
Cao Cao shot him a flat look.
"I don't want to talk about it."
Arthur chuckled.
"Understandable."
Valerie smiled politely before she and Arthur took their seats across from Yasaka and Cao Cao.
One of the Kitsune attendants gracefully poured tea into everyone's cups before bowing and quietly leaving the room.
Silence settled for a brief moment.
Arthur picked up his cup.
"Well... I suppose we should start with the bad news."
For the next several minutes, Arthur and Valerie carefully explained everything they had discovered throughout the day.
Or rather... everything they hadn't discovered.
Arthur summarized each location they had investigated.
The abandoned districts, civilian reports, suspicious sightings, false leads, disappearing evidence, and contradictory witness testimonies.
When he finished, Yasaka gently placed her teacup after taking a small sip.
"That is... oddly concerning."
Her calm voice carried far more weight than if she had sounded alarmed.
Cao Cao slowly nodded as he rested his elbows on the table.
"I agree. It doesn't make sense. The Youkai personnel and I have been investigating for several days. We've built enough trust with the local communities that the civilians willingly report unusual activity to us."
He frowned thoughtfully.
"And now... Either the witnesses suddenly claim nothing happened or they somehow justify events that should have been impossible."
Valerie quietly folded her hands together.
"I noticed that as well. Many of the witnesses genuinely couldn't remember what they said or saw. They weren't lying... They truly believed what they were saying."
Arthur's emerald eyes narrowed as he slowly placed his teacup down.
There is one possibility that I could think of."
Everyone looked toward him.
Cao Cao immediately understood Arthur's tone.
"...Go on."
Arthur leaned back.
"I'm not saying this is definitely what's happening. But there's a small chance that something... or someone... is messing around with the people's memories."
The room became noticeably quieter, but Arthur continued.
"Think about it. The incidents genuinely happen. We've confirmed sightings and eyewitness reports. But all of a sudden, every trail suddenly goes cold, the witness forgets, and every inconsistency somehow becomes reasonable."
He looked toward Yasaka.
"If someone possessed an ability capable of rewriting memories, they could erase every trace of their existence."
Valerie's expression slowly changed.
"That... would explain everything."
Cao Cao slowly nodded.
"...I was afraid you'd say something like that."
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"If you're right, then we've been investigating under someone else's rules from the very beginning."
Arthur nodded once.
Cao Cao turned toward the ruler beside him.
"Yasaka. What are your thoughts?"
Yasaka remained silent for several seconds.
She looked first toward her beloved, then toward Arthur and Valerie.
Finally, she spoke.
"Unfortunately, there is very little we can do at the moment. We cannot accuse an invisible enemy."
She folded her hands elegantly upon her lap.
"For now, I believe the wisest course of action is to continue monitoring both Kyoto and Youkai City. If another incident occurs, perhaps our enemy will make a mistake. I'll have my soldiers remain on alert."
Arthur nodded slowly.
"I guess that's better than nothing."
Cao Cao shared the sentiment.
"I'll also inform the civilians to pay closer attention."
Yasaka inclined her head appreciatively.
"Thank you, Anata."
Arthur looked into his half-empty teacup.
(This mission just became even stranger. Is this connected to our mission or are these incidents merely a coincidence?)
His thoughts drifted back towards Gilgamesh, which made him quietly sigh.
(I haven't met the guy personally, but nothing is ever simple around that wannabe King of Heroes.)
His thoughts were interrupted by Yasaka's gentle voice.
"Sekiryuutei-sama."
Arthur blinked before looking up.
"...Yes?"
Yasaka smiled warmly.
"There is another matter I wished to discuss."
Arthur straightened slightly.
"I've decided that the Kyoto Youkai Faction will assist your group in your mission."
Arthur blinked.
"...What?"
Even Valerie looked surprised.
"But... We failed. We didn't uncover anything."
Yasaka softly laughed.
"No. You did not fail. You simply encountered an enemy who hides exceptionally well."
She continued gently.
"The truth is... I had already intended to offer my assistance."
Arthur tilted his head.
"Then why send us investigating?"
Yasaka smiled knowingly.
"I wished to understand something first."
Arthur remained silent.
"I wanted to understand the true character of the man known throughout the supernatural world as the strongest Red Dragon Emperor of today. You accepted helping my people without demanding compensation, you attempted to solve my faction's problems despite possibly having nothing to do with your mission, and you even treated my people with respect despite their fear towards you."
She smiled.
"Anata spoke highly of you many times. And after today, I understand why."
Her golden eyes drifted lovingly toward the black-haired Chinese man sitting beside her.
One of her nine tails reached over and gently wrapped around Cao Cao's arm.
"And besides... The friend of my Anata is a friend of mine."
Cao Cao immediately looked away, his ears noticeably reddened.
"...Y-Yasaka..."
Valerie couldn't help smiling.
"That's really kind of you, Yasaka-sama."
Arthur blinked, but then he suddenly laughed.
"To think that my own words are used against me."
Arthur straightened his posture before respectfully bowing.
"Thank you, Yasaka-sama. I sincerely hope this marks the first step toward a lasting friendship between the Youkai Faction and the Counter Corps."
Yasaka gracefully returned the bow with equal respect.
"As do I. I look forward to working alongside you, Sekiryuutei-sama."
Arthur smiled casually.
"Actually, I don't mind if you simply call me Arthur."
Yasaka blinked, then smiled warmly.
"In that case, you may call me Yasaka-san."
Beside them, Valerie and Cao Cao watched with a smile.
A new alliance had just been born.
Once everything was settled, Yasaka clapped her hands gently.
"Now then. If you don't mind, I insist that you remain for dinner. I shall have the palace chefs prepare a proper banquet with the finest cuisine Kyoto has to offer."
Valerie's eyes immediately sparkled.
"A banquet?"
Yasaka nodded.
"Naturally. We cannot allow honored guests to leave hungry."
Valerie looked ready to agree instantly.
Arthur laughed.
"We'd be honored. Though, would it be alright if my friends joined us? They'll likely arrive a little later."
Yasaka nodded without hesitation.
"Of course. The more guests, the merrier."
Cao Cao looked curiously toward Arthur.
"Speaking of your group. Besides Valerie, who else came with you?"
Arthur's grin slowly widened.
"Oh... It's a surprise. But I'll just give you one small heads-up."
Cao Cao immediately narrowed his eyes.
"...Arthur."
Arthur leaned slightly closer towards Cao Cao.
"Besides Georg, and now Valerie, none of the others know that you'll be saying dad jokes in the next couple of years."
Cao Cao froze.
Very slowly, he lowered his head towards the table.
"..."
Cao Cao inhaled deeply.
"...I can already hear Heracles roasting my ass."
Arthur nodded sympathetically.
"Yeah. Probably. I can also hear Dulio say something inappropriate."
Yasaka gently hugged Cao Cao's arm, looking positively excited.
"Perhaps, we should reveal it after dinner. It would make such a wonderful surprise."
Cao Cao looked at her with the expression of a condemned man.
"Are you... are you sure, Yasaka?"
Yasaka nodded happily.
Valerie immediately leaned forward.
"Ohh! Perhaps after everyone finishes eating! That way nobody accidentally chokes!"
Yasaka nods.
"That's brilliant!"
The two ladies immediately began enthusiastically discussing possible announcement ideas.
Meanwhile, Arthur quietly leaned toward Cao Cao.
"You alright, dude?"
Cao Cao slowly rubbed his temples.
"I'm beginning to develop a migraine."
Arthur patted his friend's shoulder.
"Oh, relax. It'll be fine."
"No... No, it won't."
Arthur laughed.
Cao Cao sighed before looking toward him, dead in the eyes.
"Arthur... Please answer honestly... Did Heracles and Dulio come with you?"
"..."
Arthur didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
The silence itself was enough.
Cao Cao slowly closed his eyes and released the longest, most defeated sigh of the evening.
"May the Lord have mercy on me."
Arthur couldn't even argue with that assessment.
DxD
The banquet had been going for nearly half an hour by the time the first unexpected guests finally arrived.
The doors to the grand dining hall slid open, and the sound of laughter immediately echoed through the room.
"GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY!"
Arthur looked up from his conversation with Valerie.
He barely had enough time to react before Heracles crossed the room like a charging bull.
"Cao Cao!"
The massive Greek hero threw his arms around the black-haired Heavenly Lancer in an enthusiastic bro hug.
Cao Cao laughed as he returned the embrace.
"Heracles! Good to see you again!"
"Same here, brother!"
The two men separated, still laughing.
Arthur shook his head with an amused smile.
"Well, that's one way to make an entrance."
Dulio walked in behind Heracles, casually waving.
"What's up, ladies and germs?"
Arthur pointed at him.
"You two are late."
Dulio shrugged.
"We were busy."
Arthur narrowed his eyes.
"How many buildings did you destroy?"
"Only the ones owned by the bad guys."
"That's not an answer."
Dulio grinned.
"Then yes."
Arthur sighed.
"Of course."
Yasaka covered a small laugh behind her teacup while Valerie smiled.
The remaining members of the group eventually settled around the enormous dining table, and the atmosphere quickly became considerably louder as the palace chefs had prepared an extravagant feast.
There were mountains of steamed rice, bowls of miso soup, grilled fish, tempura, sashimi, yakitori, wagyu beef, soba, udon, pickled vegetables, tofu dishes, various hotpots, freshly prepared sushi, and countless other delicacies that the Author couldn't be bothered naming due to getting hungry along the way.
"Itadakimasu!" x6
And in an instant, the table became a battlefield.
Heracles attacked his food with the enthusiasm of a starving man; Dulio wasn't much better, Arthur found himself competing against the two gluttons, and Cao Cao was the least messy one of the boys.
Meanwhile, Yasaka and Valerie calmly enjoyed their dinner.
The contrast between the peaceful women and the disaster caused by the men was almost comical.
Eventually, however, even Heracles and Dulio reached their limits.
Heracles leaned back.
"Phew... I am satisfied."
Dulio rested his hand over his stomach.
"I have officially achieved enlightenment."
Arthur looked at the mountain of empty dishes with astonishment.
"You both are bottomless pits."
Heracles laughed.
"Yet you ate almost as much as we did."
Arthur pointed at himself.
"I'm a growing boy."
Valerie raised an eyebrow.
"Arthur."
He immediately corrected himself.
"I'm a very mature and responsible growing boy."
She giggled.
"Much better."
After the meal was cleared away, the atmosphere became considerably more relaxed.
Several bottles of sake were placed on the table.
Arthur poured himself and Cao Cao a cup, and Heracles and Dulio happily shared a bottle between them.
Arthur noticed Valerie and Yasaka remained with their tea.
Valerie politely declined the sake.
"I think I'll stick with tea."
Yasaka nodded.
"Same."
The evening continued with stories, jokes, and recollections of their various adventures.
Heracles and Dulio exaggerated several details from their battle against the Rameninjas.
Cao Cao occasionally spoke of his own experiences in Kyoto.
Even Yasaka joined in from time to time.
But eventually, the conversation became serious.
Arthur placed his sake cup down.
"Alright. Let's talk about what you two found."
Dulio and Heracles exchanged a glance before Dulio spoke first.
"Yeah. About that... We found something interesting."
Arthur's eyes narrowed.
"Go on."
Dulio rested his elbows on the table.
"Turns out that the group that we've fought an hour ago has a name. The Utsusemi Agency."
Yasaka raised an eyebrow.
"...Utsusemi?"
Dulio nodded.
"Yep. They're basically an organization made up of outcasts."
Heracles crossed his arms.
"Specifically, the exiled members of the Five Principal Clans."
Valerie blinked.
"The Five Principal Clans?"
She looked toward Yasaka.
"What exactly are those?"
Yasaka slowly placed her teacup down.
"They are five ancient and highly distinguished families in Japan."
Her expression became more serious.
"For generations, they have specialized in purifying evil spirits, and have operated from the shadows for centuries, protecting Japan according to their own traditions and laws."
Her golden eyes hardened slightly.
"Unfortunately, they have never been particularly forgiving toward those who violate those laws or any outside powers."
Arthur listened carefully.
Yasaka continued.
"They are a conservative group. They have disposed of individuals who broke their rules and traditions without hesitation. The Youkai Faction and the Five Principal Clans have maintained a relationship of neutrality for many years, but that relationship has never been particularly warm till this day."
Cao Cao nodded.
"That explains some of the tension I've noticed when I first got here."
Yasaka's expression became melancholy.
"There is another reason. The Five Principal Clans were responsible for sealing away the Three Great Monsters of Japan when I was but an infant."
Yasaka lowered her gaze.
"My mother, Tamamo-no-Mae, was one of those three."
Silence fell over the table.
Cao Cao's expression softened.
Without saying anything, his hand slipped beneath the table and gently took Yasaka's hand.
Yasaka looked toward him, and she squeezed his hand.
For a moment, her sorrowful expression softened.
"Thank you, Anata."
She whispered.
Cao Cao smiled faintly.
"You don't have to thank me."
Arthur quietly watched the two in silence.
Dulio cleared his throat.
"Ahem... Anyway, the important thing is that the Utsusemi Agency is made up of people who were kicked out of those clans. Originally, they want revenge against the five clans."
Arthur frowned.
"Originally?"
"Exactly."
Heracles picked up his sake bottle.
"That's because the Agency's founder and leader, Hanezu Himejima, was killed by an outsider."
Arthur already knew where this was going.
"And it turns out that said outsider is the same asshole we've been hunting..."
Dulio's expression darkened.
"...Gilgamesh."
Arthur leaned back.
"So Gilgamesh murdered Himejima, took over his organization, and is now using the Utsusemi Agency for his own purposes."
"Yep."
Arthur stared at the table.
"...Of course."
He rubbed his forehead.
"That bastard is starting to remind me of a certain monkey-hating sorcerer."
Cao Cao blinked.
"...A what?"
Arthur waved his hand.
"It's nothing. Forget about it."
Heracles suddenly placed his sake bottle down.
"And there's more."
Everyone looked toward him.
"They're recently working on something called the Four Fiends Project."
Cao Cao's eyes narrowed.
"The Four Fiends Project? What's that?"
Dulio answered.
"Something seriously fucked up."
Arthur's expression became concerned as he knew what it was.
Dulio continued.
"Remember the students kidnapped during the Heavenly of Aloha Incident?"
Arthur nodded.
"Yeah."
Dulio's voice hardened.
"Apparently, the Utsusemi Agency intends to turn those kidnapped students into test subjects and turn them into mindless soldiers."
Cao Cao's eyes widened.
"What?"
Valerie's hand tightened around her teacup.
Arthur's expression became increasingly cold.
Dulio continued.
"And that's where the Utsusemi come in. They've developed artificial Sacred Gear-like artifacts called Utsusemi. They're apparently inspired by Independent Avatar-Type Sacred Gears."
Heracles gestured toward himself.
"Like Regulus and Lavinia's Longinus."
Regulus suddenly manifested beside Heracles in his golden lion form, which occupied an impressive amount of space beside his host.
Regulus growled with his eyes burning with contempt.
"I despise those pale imitations."
Everyone looked toward the golden lion.
"To create such vile existences and then use them to enslave others is a mockery of my own glorious existence."
His claws dug into the tatami.
"I wish to tear apart whoever created them."
Heracles grinned.
"Relax, bud. You'll get your chance soon enough. Once we find our prep, you'll take first dibs."
Regulus slowly nodded.
"I shall hold you to that."
Dulio continued.
"Their purpose is originally to hunt down the hosts of the Four Fiends to be used against the Five Principal Clans. But under Gilgamesh's leadership, their purpose now is to find Sacred Gear users, capture them, and create more Utsusemi."
Cao Cao looked deeply disturbed.
"How can an organization like that even create artificial Sacred Gear-like artifacts?"
Dulio shook his head.
"That's the problem we've been asking ourselves. The last guy we interrogated knew enough to give us the information, but he killed himself before we could learn who actually designed the things."
Arthur's expression darkened.
"You don't think they made contact with Grigori's traitor, did they?"
"Hmm... Maybe."
Arthur remained silent as his thoughts were racing.
(Utsusemi. Four Fiends Project. Gilgamesh. These are starting to connect.)
But then another name came to mind.
(Wizards of Oz.)
Arthur's expression darkened.
He remembered what he originally knew about the Utsusemi Agency and their connection to the Magician organization, which resulted in the Utsusemi.
And then his thoughts shifted toward someone else.
(Lavinia.)
His girlfriend had always spoken warmly about her benefactor, Glenda.
Arthur's jaw tightened.
(If Lavinia ever discovers the truth about Glenda...)
He didn't want to imagine what that revelation would do to her.
Lavinia loved and trusted Glenda, believing that she had been one of the people who genuinely cared about her in her darkest hour.
And if what happened in canon were to happen during this mission...
(I don't really give a damn if my opponent is a wrinkly old hag that can breathe Holy Fire, but I don't think I can stomach the idea of facing Augusta while she's possessing Lavinia's body.)
Arthur slowly looked toward Dulio.
"Did you discover anything about their possible allies, benefactors, or any organizations supporting them in creating the Utsusemi?"
Dulio shook his head.
"Nothing concrete. But what I do know personally is that while Gilgamesh is pretty smart, maybe even smarter than me, he isn't capable of creating Sacred Gear ripoffs similar to Azazel's all on his own."
Arthur frowned and leaned forward.
"Then we need to find out. Because I don't believe that an organization capable of creating wannabe Sacred Gears is operating alone."
Dulio nodded.
All of a sudden, a new voice came from behind them.
"I believe I may be able to answer your question."
Everyone froze, and they all immediately turned toward the entrance.
The doors were still closed, yet somehow, nobody had noticed a hooded figure standing at the entrance.
Arthur's eyes narrowed as his hand instinctively moved to shield Valerie, which she noticed immediately and prepared for the worst.
Cao Cao subtly shifted his posture to shield Yasaka as well, who remained perfectly still.
Dulio's expression became interested in the newcomer; Heracles leaned back, and Regulus growled at the stranger.
The hooded figure calmly continued.
"If you are searching for the people supporting the Utsusemi Agency, then you are looking in the wrong direction."
Arthur stared at them.
"And you are?"
The figure didn't answer immediately.
Instead, another presence entered behind the stranger.
A familiar blonde girl wearing her magician's attire.
Lavinia Reni.
And beside her was an albino boy with his hands in his pockets and an irritated expression on his face.
Vali Lucifer.
Several Kitsune servants respectfully escorted the two into the room.
Lavinia smiled when she noticed Arthur.
"Good evening, Art."
Arthur's expression immediately softened.
"Welcome back, Lav."
Vali glanced around the room.
"Wow. So everyone decided to start dinner without us."
Heracles grinned.
"Hey there, squirt. You're late."
Vali rolled his eyes.
"Shut up, muscle brains."
Heracles laughed.
Arthur looked back toward the hooded figure silently standing beside Lavinia and Vali.
Arthur's instincts immediately told him one thing.
(This person is pretty dangerous.)
Arthur slowly leaned back in his seat.
"Alright, mysterious stranger. I'm listening."
The hooded figure raised their head slightly.
"Good. Because what I'm about to tell you may change the direction of your entire investigation."
DxD
Hello readers!
I wanna ask you, the readers, something I recently noticed and has been bugging me for a while now.
But first, I need you all to add this fanfic to your library, and donate all your Power Stones in the name of Lady Gaga.
(Fun Fact: The Author is a fan of Lady Gaga, with his favorite song being Judas... for obvious reasons...)
Now then, the question is...
What the hell is Junior High School DxD?!
...
Thank you, everyone, and see you later!