At the moment, I was sitting quietly, using senjutsu to supercharge Rossweisse-sensei's liver function in an effort to sober her up, at least enough to stop her from drooling on the table.
Azazel-sensei began the briefing.
"Here's the situation. We've established a massive perimeter around Nijō Castle, composed of devils, fallen angels, and Youkai. The Sitri peerage will handle defense. Protect this hotel, it's likely the enemy won't hesitate to involve civilians if things get dire."
"Yes, sir!" Everyone responded in unison.
"The offensive unit will consist of the Gremory peerage, Ikki, and Irina. I'll be overseeing command alongside Serafall. Originally, we'd asked Rias and her team from Kuoh Town for backup, but there's been a terrorist incident in Gremory territory involving remnants of the Old Satan Faction. Kuroka had to stay with her sister, so she won't be joining us either."
"What!? Are they going to be okay?"
"Don't worry. It wasn't a coordinated attack, and the enemy's forces aren't particularly strong. Honestly, it's safer over there than it is here. Also, Ravel is at her family home helping produce Phoenix Tears. She won't be available anytime soon either."
Well, that made sense. In a world where healing options were limited, mass-producing Phoenix Tears was a more efficient use of time, especially when going up against something like a True Longinus. Even Phenex immortality won't mean much in a fight like this.
Ideally, Ravel would grow stronger herself in the long term, but for now, strategy took precedence.
"According to current intel," Azazel-sensei continued, "there's an abnormal shift in the leyline flow across Kyoto, all of it converging on Nijō Castle. We still don't know what they're planning to do with that power, but whatever it is, we stop it. One last thing, we're going up against multiple Sacred Gear users wielding Longinus-class artifacts. So I've called in a pro who's been taking down terrorists all over. Their primary mission is to rescue Yasaka-hime. If that's not possible, then the goal is to delay the enemy's plan until reinforcements arrive."
"Um… are you saying this helper is stronger than all of us?" Issei asked, half-joking, half-nervous.
Azazel gave him a sharp grin.
"Let's just say you'll know them when you see them. Saji, you're on offense too. We might need the power of the Dragon King."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
"Alright then. Everyone, make sure you come back alive. A field trip's not over until you're home again. Got it!?"
"YES, SIR!"
=====================
In the short time before the mission kicked off, Issei received something from Azazel-sensei, a pink gemstone suspected to be the cause of his recent string of groping incidents. Rossweisse-sensei, still recovering, cradled her head in her hands at the thought of all the cover-up work they'd have to do. While she suffered in silence, the offense team headed for Kyoto Station.
That's when Kunou came running out from behind a pillar, her small frame darting toward us.
"Ikki! Take me with you! I want to help rescue Mother too! I'm her daughter, I've studied how to manipulate the leylines. I can be useful!"
"Whoa, whoa, Kunou! I get how you feel, but didn't Serafall-sama and Azazel-sensei tell you to stay put? …Ikki, what do we do?"
Issei threw me a look, this was my call.
"Kunou… We're going to save Yasaka-san. That's a promise. But if you really want to come, then I'll protect you. Just be ready, when this is over, Yasaka-san's going to give you the lecture of your life."
And probably me too, if we're being honest. But I'll deal with that when it comes.
"Understood! …I'm sorry. I just couldn't sit still anymore."
Her voice wavered with guilt. It was clear Kunou was struggling with her feelings. But hey, she's eleven. You can't expect a kid to just detach from something like this. And if she's going to be someone's bride one day, then I've got to be the one breaking my back to protect her.
Not that I'd ever say that out loud. Instead, I quietly reached over and patted her head.
Suddenly, the air thickened with mist, and the scenery shifted in an instant.
Damn it, surprise teleportation again. My heart can't take this.
I looked around. Only Kunou was with me; the others were gone.
"Ikki… was this another mist-user teleport?" she asked, clinging to me nervously.
"Looks like it. They're trying to separate us. For now, we need to figure out where we are."
From the looks of it, we were in some back alley. Even Kunou couldn't recognize the place just from the view. So we made our way to the main street, looking for landmarks, and then we saw it.
A very familiar silhouette, nestled between buildings in the far distance.
We both stared.
Then my phone rang. It was Issei.
"Ikki! Are you two okay? Is Kunou with you?"
"Yeah, she's here. It's just the two of us. What about you?"
"I'm with Asia on the Kyoto Station subway platform. Kiba, Rossweisse, and Saji are at the Kyoto Imperial Palace. I just got in touch with Irina and Xenovia through Kiba… We'll all regroup at Nijō Castle. Where are you now?"
"We're… in front of the tower."
"You mean Kyoto Tower? Great! That's close to where we are. Let's meet up and, "
"No. Kyoto Tower."
"…Come again?"
Don't make me repeat it. It just hurts more.
Staring up through the gap between buildings, Kunou and I locked eyes with one of the most recognizable landmarks in Japan.
"What we're looking at is Kyoto Tower. We're in Kyoto."
"NnnnaaaaAAAAAAANNNIIIIIIIIIII!?"
Issei's scream echoed from the other end of the line.
I sighed and looked up at the sky.
Damn it. I really hate mist-users.
And just like that, the Yasaka rescue operation began… with us completely out of the ring.
=====================
Note: Cao Cao confiscated a key scripture from one of his subordinates.
Leonardo's lewd knowledge +5. Embarrassment +5.
Cao Cao's leadership rating -15.