93 NGJ Chapter 93: Mortal Folly

I teleported back home after Sona called me for a discussion to inform me for just about what I expected already. Thankfully it seems like nothing much seemed to change about the cannon storyline.

To summarize, she called to tell me about two Church Affiliates coming to town and after talking about it with Rias they decided that it would be best to refer them to me since in their words I was already basically THE king of Kuoh with how much control I have over everything.

Of course, I accepted. I do not know about Heaven's stance on me but I know for a fact that the peace treaty is just around the corner. So all of the major Biblical factions are pushing for peace at the moment. Which means they shouldn't oppose me actively despite being a necromancer.

In fact, my potions should be semi-public knowledge at this moment. I am planning to start selling soon so I wonder why Heaven hasn't sent any messengers to talk to me about my potion sale. 

Heaven might be the second-strongest faction at the moment with the most members but it's weird that they haven't sent anyone yet. Though maybe they will soon. I highly doubt they would use Church People to negotiate instead of coming themselves.

Anyway, they should be coming around the afternoon. And since they are here Kiba probably encountered white-haired ugly motherfucker. I spent a minute or two perusing the memories of my wraith patrol and yep. They clashed. Although their interactions were different due to not having met Kiba's hate boner has become fully erect after seeing the Excalibur shard.

Sorry Kibble, but I can't let you destroy Alpha's future weapons.

Anyway, while waiting I ran dungeons while using 10 Int to solo play Hota.

After some time I felt some presences enter my barrier. I did not have to lower the barrier myself, I actually created another overseer who manages the wraiths and the veils. I just tell him what to do and he does it for me. Since he knew they were coming he lowered the barrier for them.

I had Kalawarner bring them and lead them inside, of course, I don't go out to greet them myself, what am I? Poor?

I sat on my couch like a boss, with Azazel's more expensive than I would dare inquire with tea in my hands which I sipped occasionally, Yvetim Tea Leaves apparently, Azazel dropped them off a while ago after calling my tea trash.

For this meeting, I opted for my sunglasses instead of my blindfold as it raised too many annoying questions. On cue, two familiar hooded figures entered my mansion and I gestured them to the cough in front of me as they sat down while Kalawarner stood behind me.

They both pulled their hoods down and I saw what I was working with.

[Irina Shidou LV. 144]

[Xenovia Quarta LV. 189]

First was Irina Shidou a beautiful girl my age with violet eyes. And long smooth chestnut hair that is tied into twin tails. Peeking through her robe I saw her Church battle suit, which consists of a black, skin-tight, short sleeve leotard with pauldrons, matching fingerless gloves that extend to her biceps, and thigh-high boots, all of which are adorned with straps. Which was worn under a white hooded cloak with gold and blue accents. She also had a pleasing athletic figure with plentiful perky breasts.

Those church peeps certainly had a goal in mind when designing these alright. She had a relatively cheerful expression when compared to the next to her who looked at me with a feeling of self-assurance and slight contempt.

She was Xenovia Quarta, a similarly beautiful girl also my age with chin-length blue hair with a dyed green fringe on the right side and bright brown eyes. She wore the same attire if not a bit altered and carried around her a barely disguised Excalibur shard wrapped in gauze. 

Me want.

Gimmegimmegimmegimmegimmegimmegimmegimmegimmegimmegimmegimmegimmegimme-

Seeing that they weren't going to speak first and waste my time I spoke first as Mittelt set tea in front of them, boring green tea, of course, they don't deserve my deluxe tea.

"So? For what reason have some servants of god come to my Domain and decide to meet with a 'heretical necromancer' like me?" I tilted my glasses down to put pressure on them, making Irina sweat a little while Xenovia remained unphased out of what I can only assume is blind overconfidence.

Irina spoke up.

"Well, we are Irina Shidou and Xenovia Quarta, we are holy sword wielders dispatched by the Vatican here for a mission. Although one is yet to be found the six remaining Excaliburs have been kept by the three divisions of the church. Three of those have been stolen by Fallen Angels." She gestured to Xenovia for her to continue her as she gestured to her sword.

"The ones we have are this, the Holy Sword of Destruction, Excalibur Destruction..." She said gesturing to the wrapped-up sword. Irina picked up from her words

"...And my Holy Sword of Mimicry, Excalibur Mimicry!" Irina gestured to her armband which I could see the holy energy rolling off of.

"And? Why has the church sent you here? From what I am hearing these Fallen are sitting in my domain rent-free carrying artefacts, I would be glad to take them off their hands. I doubt the church sent you here because they wanted to gift me the other two." Irina tensed at my words while Xenovia's eyes narrowed.

"This particular matter is between us and the fallen angels. We can't afford to deal with you and your undead or the Devils in this city." She said while narrowing her eyes while saying it in such a matter-of-fact manner, that was obviously condescending.

Kalawarner started sweating. I could feel my own irritation slowly starting to flare up. The way that she says that is not something I quite like. She speaks of me like a nuisance and nothing else. 

'She is looking down on you.'

"...I don't like the tone of your voice. What are you trying to imply. Quarta?" I narrowed my eyes in a challenging manner but Xenovia's hard head seemed to not care. In fact, she smiled.

'Smiled.'

"After all, Necromancers and Heretics like you also despise Holy Swords, don't they? Doesn't that mean you are in the same position as those fallen angels?" Kalawarner started sweating harder as I simply closed my eyes and breathed out.

[Despair Aura I]

A sense of discomfort washed over everyone present other than Akira, making their skin tingle and the air became harder to breathe. But they glowed as they probably countered the effects but he did not care. He said nothing more, simply sipping what remained of the tea. Kalawarner was on the verge of a panic attack.

Xenovia, however, seemed to not get the hint, using pride and brick head she spoke once more she shouldn't have spoken.

"If we must, we will completely destroy you. Even if you are the king of Kuoh." She stated coldly in a matter of fact again.

*Crack.*

The teacup in Akira's hands decayed and broke apart in a single second. His body stopped moving.

[Despair Aura III]

Immediately, it was like a damn of negative had burst and a tidal wave rushed over them, their heads ached, their bodies started hurting and made them more tired it was like their minds were getting worn down too. The sheer amount of negative energy started rotting the couch and the wood floor, the tea started growing mold. 

'Wow, I am surprised they managed to resist the instant death.'

To Akira, at that moment he did not care if they actually died of the instant death effect from being several times weaker than him. Xenovia reached for her sword and Irina did too but Akira spoke in a tone of voice that made shivers go up their spine.

"Are you truly willing to take responsibility for your words? Or did you simply not understand them when speaking them? You come to my domain, my house. Tell me to not interfere with a matter concerning my domain and then threaten my life in my own home?" He got up from his couch and walked a step toward them. The floor was decomposing, the couch was rotting, the air was becoming staler, slowly becoming unsuitable for supporting life. 

Before he closed his eyes and the pressure gave away letting them breathe. As they were taking big gulps of air Akira turned to the paralysed Kalawarner.

"My undead will replace the floors. Move the new furniture in when they are done." Akira said cooly addressing the trembling Kalawarner while gesturing toward the black, splintering floor with his eyes. Before turning back to the exorcists.

"It seems I lost my temper a little. But my words still stand. But if you truly decide to stand by your words how about this." Akira turned to them calmly. As if his anger previously was just an illusion. 

"How about we have a duel?" Xenovia's eyes widened, she grasped her Excalibur shard ready to use it at a moment's notice and so did Irina. 

Irina hesitantly spoke out.

"Umm, excuse me what do you mean by that exactly...?"

"You two are swordsmen, aren't you? Since we have a problem with each other why don't we settle it like that? After all, just a moment before you claimed to be able to destroy me right? Of course, I will make it fair for you and I will only use swords too." Akira had a friendly smile on his face that unnerved both.

"And what if we decline...?" Irina cautiously prodded seeing how bad the situation was.

"Then someone will have to return to the Vatican and report that they now have 5 missing Holy Swords." '6' He corrected in his mind but did not voice it.

"I am not unreasonable, however. If you win against me I will assist will all the resources at my disposal in your search for the Excalibur shards. Hell, since you are from the church I will even give you this if you win." I summoned Gae Bolg in my hands as Irina's eyes widened while Xenovia looked confused.

"Is that the spear of Cu Chulainn the Gae Bolg? How!? It has been missing for decades!" Hearing this Xenovia's eyes got sharper.

"Fine, we accept." Irina looked at her friend for a second before nodding along with her. "But what happens if we lose?"

"You need to provide me with something of equal value of course. That is how duels work after all." Xenovia nodded. 

"Of course, but I cannot wager the holy swords as they do not belong to me but belong to the Vatican."

"Well, I am sure you can pay me back in some other way."

Akira's tone of voice sent a shiver up both of their spines.

A/N: I feel like should elaborate on why Akira's anger was seemingly cut off. It wasn't, he is still pissed but he reigns in his anger. He recognizes that he often lets his pride blind him with anger so he is making an effort in reigning in his pride knowing Xenovia is just ignorant and not malicious. There is simply no value in killing them right now.

He is trying.

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