Chapter 4 - Saving the Fallen Maiden

I was sitting on the floor with a thoughtful expression on my face. My legs were crossed and one hand was rubbing my chin while the other was tapping on the floor with my fingers. I was currently at Zelretch's place and surrounding me was group of books, books about Magecraft, either from his world or from mine

I didn't know where he got them, but considering the personality of that old vampire, I am almost certain that he got these in an illegal manner. Especially since there was that super-duper strong, mysterious guy that was supporting him.

It had been three days ever since I had met Mittelt and decided to become Hero. In those three days I spent my time doing nothing but learning magic and Tracing. I was even absent from school and my work to do this! Heck! I even didn't spend my time with my beloved Shizu-tan! Oh how I missed her!

Don't worry Shizu-chan! Onii-sama will come as soon as he done!

[Ehem! Please go back to the track. I don't want to hear you speak about Magical Girl or your surrogate little sister anymore.] Ddraig voice snapped me out of my thoughts, making me scowle, but I let it slide nonetheless.

Talking to someone who didn't know the wonder of Magical Girls was like talking with a dull minded child.

As I said before, I was training my abilities. I meditated to search through countless swords in my mind that I could use, I tried to pick which I would be going to use and which I wouldn't use. And among them all I was able to find were three swords that caught my attention.

The three of them were currently stabbed into the floor in front of me and I stared at them with sharp eyes, as if trying to break some puzzle.

The first sword in front of me bore a slight resemblance to other swords, but its guard was gold with black, and a diamond embedded in the gold was on both sides of the guard, even slightly on the blade itself. It also radiated a very powerful holy aura, even if it was invincible to naked eyes, but all who were close to it would be able to feel its power. This sword was peerless, there was no scratch or even any sign of decay on it.

This sword was Durandal, an A-rank Noble Phantasm and Anti-Army weapon. The sword that was said to be able of cutting anything. It was capable of shooting blasts of holy energy that could even kill Ultimate-class devils or even a Maou in one attack (assuming they were caught off guard, otherwise the Church wouldn't ever had troubles with devils.) It also contained a very destructive power that was even rumored to be strong enough to cause earthquakes.

A very strong sword...I could tell that the Church would give almost anything for this sword if I were to make a deal with them. I never saw this world's version of Durandal, which made me wonder which sword was stronger, mine or this world's.

The second sword meanwhile was the opposite of Durandal. It was demonic. You even could tell it just by looking at its shape. It had no guard but instead spikes, its hilt was also almost colored like the branch of a dead tree. The color of its edge was mixture of red and brown, and there was a red blood colored rune written on it, showing it was clearly a Demonic Sword.

This sword was Dainsleif. A B-ranked Noble Phantasm, Anti-Unit and Support weapon. The sword that was part of Fafnir's treasure, a bloodthirsty sword that HAD to kill someone the moment it was drawn, be it the wielder's opponent or ultimately the wielder himself. And it was also a sword that was very perfect for an avenger, as the moment this sword's wielder met the target of his/her revenge, Dainsleif would boost its user's strength. It also possessed an ability similar to Gae Buidhe, the spear that could cause wounds that couldn't be healed unless the spear was destroyed.

And yet, despite all its usefulness, this sword would also give the owner bad luck. Reading this sword history I was able to find out that none of this sword's wielders had survived or died in peace. All of them had died in hatred or had been killed, then this sword stolen and the thief met the same fate in the end.

The third sword meanwhile was neither Demonic nor Holy. It was double edged sword and its color was blood red, but it didn't contain an aura of bloodthirst like Dainslief. Its edge was curved slightly despite it being double edged, making it look almost like katana and yet, too straight for a mere katana. However just by being near it I could feel my spine chilling, it also made me feel uneasy.

This was Hrotti. A B-ranked Noble Phantasm and Anti-Unit weapon. It was also one of the pieces of Fafnir's treasure. It was a dragon slaying sword, a sword that could be used to fight dragons and give them mortal wounds.

"Hmm... So it's like I thought..." I murmured with sharp eyes as I observed the three different swords in front of me.

All the swords in front of me were created, forged by me using Tracing. According to EMIYA's memories, the rank of all his weapon was reduced by one level upon appearing in this world. A-ranked weapons turned to B, B-ranked weapons turned to C, and so on.

I didn't know why exactly, but EMIYA's ability had probably been limited by Gaia, the personification of planet Earth itself because it rejected his weapons' existence since there couldn't be the same Noble Phantasm twice, so the copy would be degraded and weakened before it ultimately disappeared.

Not to mention that the concept of creating something out of nothingness was almost impossible in either world. And Tracing was just based on Gradation Air, a magecraft that created simple things from prana. If not for his affinity for swords, EMIYA would never have been able to recreate Noble Phantasms like he did. And even this advanced version could still not be compared to the... What was it again? Denial of Nothingness? Yeah, something like that.

However in here, these weapons' ranks were not degraded. They stayed normal and even looked like the originals, complete copies instead of second rate imitations. They were swords that could match the original ones blow for blow.

It seemed that EMIYA guess and theory had been right. In this world, Gaia's influence was not as strong as in his world. Thus the sword I created were not being rejected or resisted, they were complete copies and had same level of strength.

Zelretch had told me the difference between this world and his. In here, the Age of Gods had never ended. It kept continuing and existing, making all mana in this world much stronger and drawing from it was child's play to the point that maybe he could teach a normal girl how to become a real Magical Girl. There was no need for such things like magic circuits here since this planet already provided mana potent enough for humans to cast spell.

[I still say it was a bad idea to create that dragon slaying sword.] Ddraig grumbled.

I know, but it doesn't change we might need it in future.

[Yes, but for what? You can't even wield it properly without harming yourself. You can't even hold this thing for five minute before it hurts you.] Ddraig remarked.

Yes, what Ddraig said was true. This sword rejected me despite me being its creator. This sword couldn't be held by my hands for longer than three minutes

It was because of Ddraig. I had a dragon sealed inside of me and its aura surrounded me all the time, even if I suppressed it. And dragons were beings that possessed very powerful magic, they were able to cast magic simply by breathing. And seeing that Ddraig was a very powerful dragon it made me stronger, it boosted my own magical reserves by a lot and I doubted my reserve would stop growing just like that. I'm sure, my Mana reserve will get bigger in time. But without the Class-card inside of me I probably wouldn't be this strong magically. Thanks to the card my body was capable of storing more magic than I normally would be capable of.

However with all that strength of course there were risks. I couldn't hold any anti-dragon item, even being near one gave me a chilling sensation. Zelretch said it was the same when devils were in presence of a holy sword.

That was clearly not a good thing; no matter how strong I was, if one of those anti-dragon items got me it would be bad, veeery bad.

Well, at least I can use this sword as an arrow or projectile. That will be okay, right?

[Hmph! Suit yourself, I am actually quite interested in seeing how you fight.] Ddraig mused and I could feel him rest his head on his claw. [Although I like it more when you use my power... You still didn't make any attempt to train with my power!] He growled lightly in a disapproving manner and I could only sigh at hearing that.

Ddraig, it's not like I don't want to use your power, but I need to master my own power first before I am able to use yours. If I can't control my power, then how could I use yours? Your power increases my strength, if I can't control my current strength then how the hell would I control my power at even higher levels?

Ddraig's reply was only a huff of his breath and I swore I could see his cheeks puff slightly, like little brat, while a burst of flame shot out from it. Really, this was the behavior of the mighty Sekiryuutei? Then again, having been shackled and caged for thousand years clearly did some damage to his brain.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

A knock from the door broke me out of my conversation with Ddraig. Sensing a familiar presence I immediately dispersed my swords and turned to the door, fixing my position before yelling: "Come in Mittelt!"

The door the creaked open as the wood groaned and the blonde hair of Mittelt popped in. She extended her head first like a curious child that was peeking into their parents' room, careful and slightly afraid. As soon as she saw my mood was neither dark nor bad, her fear seemed to disappear as I heard a small breath of relief come out from her mouth.

"How did you know?" She asked.

"I'm just that good." I shrugged simply.

Mittelt only scowled a bit before she entered the room. Her appearance had already changed. She was no longer wearing her ribbon, she had combed down her hair and was wearing a sleeveless green t-shirt and short blue pants.

After the event two days ago where she had broken down crying she had told me everything. She had told me how their leader, Raynare who had disguised herself as Amano Yuuma, was planning to steal a Sacred Gear from some nun that had been excommunicated and gone to the fallen angels' side to seek divine protection.

Apparently the nun had been found healing a devil who had been wounded near the Church, and as a nun she had actually been forbidden from healing him. But as a person, as a human and especially a healer, she had felt it was her job to heal him. Even if he was a devil, he was still a living being.

And yet because of that she had been excommunicated.

The power to heal devils was said to be absurd. Sacred Gears was believed to be a gift that was given from God to humans, and yet she had not just tried to heal a devil, a creature that was everything the Church stood for, but her Sacred Gear had actually been able to heal him!

Sacred Gears were items that responded to the user's feelings. The people from the Church thus thought if she was able to heal a devil it meant that she had a dark heart and she was actually a witch disguised as a nun.

That was load of bullshit in my opinion...

True, most people would be fooled, and most supernatural were aware that human were petty creatures so they believe it too, but me? I didn't believe it. I was sure there were many people who also thought like me but because the majority didn't talk about it they stayed silent.

The Church was hiding something... Heaven was hiding something...

And here I was thinking angels were supposed to be pure creatures... It seemed the world really wasn't like the one that written in Bible.

As for my relationship with Mittelt... she still didn't trust me, obviously, but at least she was willing to talk to me and also didn't look at me like I was some kind of boogeyman who was going to drag her to toilet and murder her in there.

"You're going there?" Mittelt asked me as she saw me stand up.

"Of course. I can't just let this nun go to her death." I answered as magic circle formed beneath me and with flash, my casual clothes were replaced by EMIYA's black armor and gloves, but instead of wearing a red long coat, I wore a red cape that covered most of my body.

"You... You're going to kill them? Kill my kin?" Mittelt asked with a hesitating tone.

"Depends... I will give them a chance to surrender or maybe knock them unconscious and drag them here... But I make no promises..." I told her as I began to walk to the door. I was being honest, I might not like killing but I had already killed before.

It had been after Zelretch had explained everything to me in our meeting. After it was over he dragged someone to me. He told me that the man was a serial killer and enjoyed killing. He had also raped children just for his own sick pleasure. I didn't believe it until he showed me the man's weapon and I read its history

One minute later I broke that man's neck with my bare hands.

And strangely I didn't feel disgusted or sick after killing him. It seemed that when I fused with EMIYA my mind also become stronger and calmer, it was like I had done it before and it didn't bother me.

I didn't know if I should be worried or happy. On the one hand it made me afraid that I was able to kill without remorse but on the other hand I also felt happy that I was able to remove trash like that without holding back and thus let all the poor souls that had suffered from his acts rest in peace, knowing that their killer was already dead.

And in the end I decided, if killing meant I would be able to remove trash like that man, then I would gladly do it. Because by killing people like him I had also saved many people that could have been their next victims in the future

Without any further words I shut the door behind me and began to walk away. I had a nun to save after all.

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The abandoned church of Kuoh Town was placed on hill that was located at a corner of the city. Why? It should be very obvious, seeing that Kuoh City was actually Devil Territory.

The Church couldn't go near the devils or it would be seen as an aggressive act towards them. And after what had happened in Great War, clearly they couldn't start another war, not if they wanted to avoid getting annihilated.

Issei stared at the abandoned building in front of him with a stoic face. His steel gray eyes scanned through the woods and building before he channeled energy to his eyes.

"Trace On..."

The normal building in front of me blurred in my eyes. It was like watching a TV that was being fine-tuned, the picture slowly getting clear. Once the process was complete he saw that the church was covered by some kind of dark pink invisible Bounded Field, the field's purpose being to alert them if any foreign presences entered the abandoned building.

After a momentheI closed my eyes and let out sigh. Why the hell was he still in here? He didn't come for sneaking mission but to burst in, take out the damsel and go home.

Deciding that being stealthy was of no use, he traced Kanshou and Bakuya in his hands before he approached the Church. As he stepped up to the stairs he felt his skin make contact with the Bounded Field. Slowly he raised one leg and kicked the door open, which did not just open but it literally flew, crashing, and falling to the floor meters away from his location.

He took another step forward and entered the church, his steel gray eyes scanning the hall of the building. It was... quite normal actually. There were chairs and seats for people to sit and pray if they wished, there even was an altar and cross like in a normal Church. All in all it seemed like an ordinary place if you looked at it

'Save for that secret door...' He thought with small smirk as his eyes caught something beneath the table in the hall from using Structual Grasp. His eyes scanned the room again and his ears caught footsteps coming up. The sounds were getting louder and Issei could hear there was not just one pair of legs but that there were multiple, dozens even. He gripped the swords in he hands tightly and waited for them to come. He didn't have a reason to be stealthy, so he would wait for his prey to come to his.

However, despite there being multiple footsteps coming, slowly all of them stopped. They ceased and became almost soundless when they neared him.

'They are trying to be secretive...' He noted as he stared at the two corridors. He could hear whispers and see their small movements of shadow on both sides, no doubt planning to ambush him.

"I know you are there. Come out already before I force you to." I called with a voice of steel.

As soon as he had said that, it didn't take long before the group responded. From one side of the corridor, a white haired man with red eyes, wearing a priest robe walked out while clapping his hands with a gleeful smile adorning his face. The man did not show any sign of surprise or worry that Issei had just barged in but instead looked amused. The expression was very similar to that of a child who expected some clown or circus to come and entertain him.

"Well, well! What do we have here?" He asked jovially with a big smile on his face "Some kind of child that got lost? What do you want boy? Do you want to pray to God perhaps?"

"I came here to rescue Asia Argento..." He said bluntly and right to the point.

The response was what he had expected. As soon I spoke that the man's smile dimmed a bit, but what he didn't expect was that the man's smile would turn even bigger, coupled with a deranged grin.

"Ahh! So you are here for little Asia eh? Oopsie oopsie! Sorry boy but you can't take her!" The man declared happily "Now since you declared your intent then it will be okay if we kill you, right?"

From both corridors a group of people each walked in. They all wore white robes and garments like priests, but he knew none of them were priests. They were all exorcists, stray ones. He had already learned about them from Zelretch's lecture days ago.

The robed people all raised their hands, revealing that they held swords that had the light element as their edge, almost similar to the lightsabers from the Star Wars movies. In their other hands were guns, but not ordinary guns. His eyes were able to tell me that those guns were loaded with light bullets.

However, among them all only one caught Issei attention

It was the one that the white haired man was wielding.

The man laughed in glee as he raised his sword and gun, his tongue rolling out like madman and he gave Issei another of his insane smiles. "So~~ you ready to die boy? Eh? Eh? Are you afraid? Are you afraid? Ahahaha! Don't worry! We will make you scream nicely!" He laughed with slight manic tone.

"Freed Sellzenn..." Issei said, the steel in his tone making the insane exorcist pause. "Guilty for murdering 147 people and raping 24 woman, ten of them were nuns that work in Church." He stated this coldly and his eyes contained a deep fury, his hands shaking in anger as attempt to restrain fury he feel.

"Eh? You know that much? Wow you must be my fan to know my art with that much detail!" Freed exclaimed with a big grin "So who sent you boy? The maggots of the Church? If you must know, the last one they sent was sent back in pieces by me." He laughed happily as if he had just found out that Christmas was early this year and didn't even bother denying the murder and slaughter he had committed.

Issei didn't respond and merely gripped Kanshou in his hand more tightly, to the point that small sounds of 'crack' came from the black Yang hilt. His shoulders trembled and his eyes became so cold, unforgiving and filled with nothing but anger.

"Doesn't matter anyway! I am just going to send your body to the Church the same way. Oy, boys! Give him the medicine!" Freed yelled and ordered to the groups.

The robed people followed what he had said. They raised their guns, each of them loaded and ready to shoot. They did not hesitate, they all shot their guns at same time, aiming them at Issei while he did nothing but stand still while gripping his twin swords.

The bullets that soared towards Issei came like a wave that was planning to crash on the beach. The guns that shot the bullets were also special. While they looked simple, they held more power and shot faster than the normal guns you always saw in the store. They shot bullets twice as fast as normal guns, and combined with the nature of light bullets that possess almost no weight but were deadly at same time, they are very dangerous.

But it was nothing in his eyes.

With a swift movement, Issei raised his twin swords. He twisted his body, rotating it by full 360 degrees and then swung down with both swords. The effect appeared instantly. A gust of violent wind was created by his swing, and the wood of the floor around him was immediately blasted apart and sliced as if a giant sword had just carved it away. The strong gust blew away the bullets of lights and eradicated them from existence like flames of candle meeting a gust of wind.

The light bullets might be fast and deadly, but they lacked power. My reinforced strength and a wave from a Noble Phantasm like Kanshou and Bakuya was obviously capable of deflecting and blowing them away without much problem.

He could see their surprised faces through the dust and my sharpened sense also caught their gasps of shock, but he paid them no mind. In an instant he lowered his legs slightly and then kicked it, creating a crater as his reinforced legs destroyed the floor and to the untrained eye he seemingly disappeared, leaving only destroyed ground where he stood before.

Among the stray exorcists, Freed Sellzen was not a beginner in his art. He was a prodigy that was already capable of slaying devils when he was still child. Even if he was not as fast or as strong as supernatural beings, he had experience in fighting, you could say he possessed the "Eye of the Mind" skill.

The smoke and dust that Issei had created was big enough to cover the entire hall, blinding them and make them unable to track him down.

But Freed had dealt with this kind of situation before. He came from an institute of the Church that raised children as warriors. His eyes were able to catch it, and his skin could feel it, the change and the difference in the dust that breezed over his skin, indicating that Issei had just moved and by the speed of his movement, he realized that the Sekiryūtei was undoubtedly fast, faster than most men.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze for Freed as his eyes narrowed and tried to tracked Issei, his jovial expression gone and serious for the moment. His red eyes moved around before they caught a red and black blur that was walking to his right then moved to his left and swung his sword at his neck

Freed raised his lightsword just in time to block the attack that would have separated his head from his body, however, he clearly hadn't expected the power behind it to be so much stronger than him. But he was not that easily beaten. At the last second he was able to use his footwork and use the ground as his support. As result, instead of having his sword shattered and sliced by the black Chinese sword, he got blown away, sending him crashing to the group like his fellow stray exorcist behind him

Issei narrowed his eyes in surprise when he saw this. That guy was able to block his attack, granted, he was not strong enough to just take it, but he had survived it with pure skill. Not to mention he was also able see his movement despite he being faster.

'I thought I caught him by surprise, but it seems he is better than I thought.'

The group of stray exorcists seemed realize where Issei was, and as soon as their eyes landed on him, they raised their lightswords and started to attack the boy. The swings came from almost all directions, right, left, above, behind and else. The attacks were quite strategized and had no blind spot as they rained down on him.

The sounds of steel meeting other steel echoed through the Church, followed by the widening eyes of the stray exorcists as they stared at their target with disbelief.

Despite getting attacked from all directions Issei had managed to block them. He was crouching while holding off the numerous swords that had rained down to me from all directions with his twin swords. And not just that, they realized that he was holding their attacks as if the attacks were nothing, almost like a giant who had blocked giant ball thrown at him with one hand.

They couldn't understand what was happening! It was clearly impossible!

The barrier they had placed did not just alert them about intruders but also detected any sign of supernatural beings. The barrier had clearly told them that the one who had barged in was just a human, and yet...

How did this human, barely an adult at most hold off the attack from a dozen grown men as if it was nothing?

Then they saw him move. Raising his swords up, he pushed them away, making all their swords soar upwards, leaving them open.

Then a fountain of crimson liquid erupted.

His move was swift, fast, sharp, and powerful. Twirling Kanshou and Bakuya he began to strike. The one in front of him was the first one to fall, a deep slash on his chest before Issei moved to his left and sliced another man with the white sword that he held.

Issei eyes moved and zoomed in on multiple directions quickly like a trained warrior as his sword cut down another man like paper. Their lightswords shattered and broke under his swords. Kanshou and Bakuya were a C- rank Noble Phantasm, and those lightsword barely reached E rank but would reach it if used against devils. Unfortunately for them, he was a human.

It wasn't long. It wasn't even a fight. It was a massacre. While Issei wasn't as good as EMIYA yet, he had at least mastered the basic of his style and also possessed greater strength and speed than my enemies. And with EMIYA's skill, even if it was only the basics, it already had enough of an effect to turn the battle into a one sided matter where Issei could cut down everyone or knock them out.

But then his sword was halted by a single blade. Issei narrowed his eyes as he stared at Freed, who was grinning like madman while staring at the Sekiryūtei.

"You're pretty good." He stated in a gleeful tone, but Issei did not even bother to reply. His eyes were filled with nothing but coldness and hidden fury.

Both of them clashed. If Issei possessed strength then it was clear that Freed possessed skill. They twisted their bodies, striking at each other with the intent to kill. Freed moved his lightswords used a dual slash against the boy. He knocked it away with Kanshou before countering his strike with Bakuya, planning to stab his stomach.

The stray exorcist rolled and spun his body, dodging the attack while grinning 'He is open!' He then he grip his lightswords tightly and deliver strong horizontal slash with intent to skewer Issei.

But Issei saw it, in fact he had created that fake opening in the first place. Just when Freed rolled and dodged Issei attack, he had already prepared his legs, and when the insane exorcist struck, he jumped.

Freed eyes widened when he see his swords missing the targets, he rise his head upward and see Issei jump over him before deliver strong axe slash with both his twin swords. It was his experience and reflex in long battle that made Freed just in time to raise both his lightswords and block the attack

But unlike before, this time Freed was not blown away. Instead his swords broke easily, like a twig clashing against steel. Kanshou and Bakuya immediately sliced into his body, cutting his veins and letting out a waterfall of blood that was followed by Freed's scream of pain.

No matter how skillful Freed was, his weapon was not on the level of Issei's. The difference was not like a knife against a sword but more like a stick against a sword. Issei might not possess the combat skill and experience of Freed, but he had a stronger body and better weapon, and he was also not an amateur or beginner. Had Freed possessed at least a better weapon, he might have been ablet to give Issei more of a fight.

But unfortunately for him, he did not.

Issei stared down at Freed, who was on the ground and writhing in pain with stony face and cold eyes. The man below him was only human in skin, his nature was already comparable to that of a monster. Hundreds of innocents had died by his hands and more than a dozen of nuns had been defiled by him.

Twirling Kanshou in his hand, he held the grip in reverse and raised it upward while glaring at Freed. "Tell Death that Hyoudou Issei sent you." Issei said coldly.

"Fuck you!" Freed responded. He didn't seem to be afraid even in the face of death.

And then black blade fell, followed by the sound of flesh getting pierced and blood splattering as Kanshou sunk into Freed's head.

Issei stared at the corpse with hard look before slowly pulling out his sword. Then he swung the bloodied Kanshou and cleaned if off the blood that was on the edge of the black sword. He took a moment to calm his breath as he felt the fury inside him slowly disappear. It was then replaced by a satisfied feeling, seeing that this monster had finally died. Afterwards he took a look at his surroundings.

The church was... in a very bad condition. It couldn't even be recognized as a church anymore. The wooden benches were shattered, broken and scattered. Splinters of wood were spread across the floor. Dozens of bodies of the wounded or dead stray exorcists lay around like toys that had been dropped from the sky by some child. Crimson liquid adorned the walls and floor of the church, making it looks like a place from a horror movie. Shards of broken glass lay below the remnants of the windows, their long, thin edges glinting in the faint light of the setting sun.

Issei didn't kill all of them, when he read the history of their weapons he saw there were a few who had actually become stray exorcist due to being framed. The church hunted them like wild dogs that ran from their owners, and they didn't have a choice other than join with another stray to make sure they were save.

They just wanted to live after all...

So he made sure to wound them, but not in vital areas. They were mostly knocked from very strong kicks or blunt attacks. And the ones he had killed had been murderers of innocent, who had already claimed too many lives to be saved.

'No... I can't think about that... I have to finish this job. I can mourn about my deed later.' Issei thought as he shook his head and steeled his mind once again.

Issei walked past the bodies around him and approached the table that covered the hidden path and kicked it away. He stared down at the stairs that led to the basement for a moment before he took a step and started going down.

It wasn't long before he saw light at the end of my path, indicating he had reached his destination. Issei grip on Kanshou and Bakuya tightened as he prepared himself for the next battle.

And when he reached the exist, he saw them.

Two women and one man. They all had black, tainted and wicked wings sprouting from their backs, the wings that seemed to radiate an evil and corrupted aura. The man appeared to be in his late twenties, having short dark hair and wearing a formal suit. The first woman seemed to be in early twenties instead and had long navy blue hair, wearing an attire that looked like a violet trench coat.

The second woman was someone Issei recognized. Despite her different appearance, there was no doubt the she was one that had introduced herself as Amano Yuuma and had asked him on a date a few days ago. Her real name, if he wasn't wrong, was Raynare.

"So you've come Human." She sneered at Issei, looking down at the Human as if he was merely an insect "You have guts, we were about to visit your place, but it seems you came by yourself."

So they wanted to visit his house huh? Well lucky him, he came here first.

"Give Asia Argento to me." Issei said in a tone that left no room for an argument. "And you will get your friend back... Refuse, and all of you will die."

He saw the Fallen Angels show surprise expressions when he mentioned Mittelt's name, but it was quickly replaced by stony looks. However, his reinforced ears caught something that made his blood boil slightly.

"Typical, I knew that brat was too weak to dispose of a simple human."

It came from the man, Raynare only let out small 'tsk' of displeasure. It was clear that both of them didn't care about the blonde girl. The woman with blue hair meanwhile didn't say anything, her face remaining stoic.

Issei then heard Raynare laugh at me. It was filled with mockery and taunting. "If those eyes are more than decoration, human, you might see that there are three of us and you're alone." She jeered.

"There were more than a dozen stray exorcists above and I was alone then too. But I cut down all of them." Issei response was simple. "What makes you think this will be any different?"

"Don't compare us to you, human!" Raynare snapped at me with fury "Your kind is weak! Nothing but insects that should be crushed beneath our feet!"

Issei merely looked at her, a smirk slowly adorning my face "Oh? But if I'm mistaken you're trying to steal from these insects. What does that make you then? Insects that bully other insects?" He replied simply with tone that clearly annoyed them as Raynare's glare deepened. "Oh, and you also asked this insect for a date a few days ago and got rejected." He added with big grin on his face

"Enough!" Raynare bellowed angrily. How dare this human! Who does he think he is?! "You will pay for that insult, human!" Light formed on her hand, then it took the shape of a spear. "Dohnaseek! Kalawarner! Don't interfere, he is my prey." She ordered.

"Suit yourself." Dohnaseek replied while shrugging his shoulders in a nonchalant manner.

"Be careful Raynare, he took down Mittelt and while she might still be young, that is quite a feat for normal human." Kalawarner warned her, but she didn't show any sign to protest.

Issei caught the meaning of the threat and warning that she had given to Raynare, however, the black haired fallen angel didn't appear to care about it.

Good... She was underestimating him... That was very good...

Raynare flapped her wings as she flew above Issei. He took a stance for battle while raising Kanshou and Bakuya. Raynare sent a sneer towards him before she threw her spear. The spear's speed was faster than the bullets from before. It was made of pure light and came from its creator itself and the one that had thrown it was also clearly stronger the gun. To most humans, being able of dodging or blocking them already made you enter the category of a strong one at least.

But Issei did neither. He simply raised Kanshou and then swung the black sword down and the spear that meant to kill him was destroyed and shattered into particles of light, much to the fallen angel's surprise.

When using Kanshou and Bakuya, his magic resistance increased to the point that he could block a High-class devil's attack. Naturally, the world where EMIYA came from didn't give him a high magic resistance. And even if it was high, at most it would only be able to block an Ultimate-class devil's attack. Arturia Pendragon would be an example of that were she to enter this world.

However, it was different for Issei.

The Blank-card inside him had fused with my soul. He was already more than a mere copy of a heroic spirit, and thus closer to their true skills. Also, his soul was connected to Ddraig. The Blank-card had not only fused with Issei, it had integrated Ddraig's soul as well. And as a dragon, Ddraig's magic resistance was immense. Issei body naturally wasn't on the same level, but it was still higher than what most beings could reach. But in exchange for that he also had his weakness to dragon slaying item, which was so strong that a simple D-rank level item would be dangerous to him.

Nevertheless, thanks to that Issei was theoretically able to stand against an onslaught of magical attacks from a High-class devil, however, when he held Kanshou and Bakuya, it increased his magic resistance further and also gave him a bit extra in physical endurance. So simply put, a spear of light at that level wouldn't even harm him. Issei could dismiss it with ease just like he did earlier.

Issei didn't say anything; he just jumped as strong as he could while gripping Kanshou and Bakuya tighter. He soared up to Raynare, who still in the middle of being surprised.

By the time he was in front of her, it was too late for her to react. Pain instantly erupted in her mind as Kanshou and Bakuya cut through her chest and stomach. She let out a scream of pain, and like a bird that just got shot, she stopped flying and fell to the ground.

'One down... Wow this is going quite smoothly.' Issei thought surprised at how this went, however, his eyes caught two spears that were launched at him and inwardly deadpanned 'I just had to think that, didn't I?' It seemed the scream of Raynare had been enough to snap both fallen angels out of their surprise. Issei twisted his body and slipped between the spears, but they proved to be faster than he thought. One of the spear hit him and exploded, almost like grenade that was thrown at him.

"Did we get him?" Kalawarner asked a quiet Dohnaseek, his eyes glued to the smoke. They ignored Raynare, who had fallen to the ground with a 'thud'. It was not like they didn't care about her, but after seeing what had happened to her they didn't want to let their guard down.

It was Dohnaseek who was able to track down my swift movement. Dohnaseek was actually one of the warriors that guarded the Gates of Heaven when he still possessed his white wings. So he was also quite experienced in battle, his eyes were trained and to be honest among the four fallen angels, he was the strongest.

But he was not a leader, he was a warrior. That's why he wasn't the one who lead this operation. Quickly two blue spears formed in Dohnaseek hands and he launched them to his left, where Issei was currently trying to sneak up on them..

Issei hurried to raise Kanshou and Bakuya to block the attack. There was a momentary struggle as his muscles held strong against the blue spears before he swung his swords and deflected the spears, causing the projectiles to explode when they hit a wall.

'Those two... That attack was capable of annihilating even a High-class devil! This guy is not like the others.' Issei thought as he narrowed his eyes at Dohnaseek, who stared down at him.

"Dohnaseek..." Kalawarner called "We should strike him together..." She said as she readied her spear, but to her surprise Dohnaseek shook his head.

"You go fight him, I refuse to do so..." Dohnaseek stated simply while crossing his arms.

"What?!" Kalawarner hissed in shock before yelling "You're betraying us?!"

"No... But if I fight him, I am going to die. That man is stronger than me..." Dohnaseek said openly "Stronger than us, I can feel his power. Hidden beneath his skin, those swords aren't his ace. It's merely an opening." He stated with sharp eyes "Am I right, warrior?" When his eyes met Issei, the Fallen Angel instantly noticed that they had something in common – they both had eyes with a look of steel that were the sign of a warrior.

Issei didn't show any sign of replying, he only stared up at Dohnaseek with a stoic look. He hadn't received any wounds from the explosion before as he had been able to reinforce his body just in time. Coupled with his magic resistance to reduce the damage, only his scarf was tattered and dirt adorned his figure slightly.

"My name Dohnaseek, former front guard of the Gates of Heaven before fell." Dohnaseek introduced himself "What is your name, Warrior?"

"Hyoudou Issei... A hero..." Issei replied and Dohnaseek's eyebrow furrowed at that. Slowly, strange smirk started to appear on the face of the Fallen Angel.

"A hero... Huh..." He let out small chuckle before nodding in acknowledgement. He then flapped his wings and flew backwards slightly "I will take my leave then, I'm done here." He stated as he raised one hand to the ceiling above them.

"Dohnaseek!" Kalawarner hissed with a small amount of anger. "You can't possibly-"

"I'd rather take you on than this man Kalawarner." Dohnaseek cut her off with a stern look. His eyes bore into his fellow fallen angel as if daring her to continue. Seeing how she stayed silent and only gripped her spear more tightly, the male fallen angel turned his face up and shot a blue beam from his palm, destroying the ceiling and creating a hole. "Hero..." He called out to Issei as he flew slowly towards the hole he had created.

Issei stared up to the fallen angel with a calm look. His response of being called that merely made him raise an eyebrow and Dohnaseek grunted before suddenly another one pair of black wings sprouted from his back. His power level also increased as a blue aura shimmered around him, creating vibration in the space and air around him "Next time we meet, it will be on the battlefield." He said in matter of fact tone. It was declaration of battle and Issei just knew they would meet again. Perhaps soon even.

"I will be waiting, Datenshi (Fallen Angel)" Issei replied as he met the stare of the fallen angel.

The man gave a grunt of acknowledgement and then tilted his head up. His wings flapped a few times before the sounds of a small 'boom' echoed and he was gone to above, leaving only a few black feathers that fell to the ground as sign that he had been there.

Issei made no move to go after him. He only stared in the direction Dohnaseek had left with stony face for few seconds before narrowing his eyes on Kalawarmer "And what about you? Are you going to fight or leave?" He asked monotonously.

Kalawarmer bit her lips at hearing the question. Unlike Raynare, she was not that arrogant. She had known that Issei was strong the moment the boy had entered this place, and she was also aware that Dohnaseek was actually the strongest among them. Adding the fact he was actually quite a battle maniac, if Dohnaseek decided to retreat instead of fighting, it meant that this was serious. Not to mention that he had stated that even if they work together they wouldn't be able to beat him.

"I will leave..." She said as she lowered her spear and let it dissipate into golden light. "I do not wish to die now after all."

Issei grunted and gave a nod to her, following her with his eyes as the woman also flew upwards. But then she stopped when she reached the hole. She turned to Issei and to his surprise, her face became soft and there was something like a plea in her eyes.

"Mittelt... Is she alright?" She asked.

"She is fine... I just sealed her abilities for the moment." Issei told her and he saw Kalawarner smile in response. It was small and faint, but it was beautiful. The smile wasn't filled with any evil or hostile intent, but pure feelings. Once again he was reminded that despite being fallen, fallen angels were originally angels. At least they used to be good persons and they also did good things for mankind in the past before they fell.

"Thank God..." She murmured, it was faint but Issei reinforced ears were able to catch it. "Please treat her well. Despite being born as a fallen angel, she is nothing but a child..." She asked this of him gently, the voice was almost like that of an angel, despite her black and tainted wings.

"I will... But you can look after her yourself if you want." Issei told her, his tone softer than before. Bakuya dispersed from my hand and he extended my empty hand to her "Come with me... I can save you..." He offered gently, like shepherd that was trying to save his lost lamb.

Kalawarner eyes widened slightly, her face showing pure surprise before she let out small giggle and shook her head "I can't..." She said "Young Hero, you can't save me..."

"Yes I can!" I replied, my tone becoming firm and my eyes sharpening with conviction.

"No, you can't..." Kalawarner repeated, her tone still gentle, a bit as if she was talking to child. "It not because you are not strong enough... You are strong, I can tell. But you must know one thing..." She paused and her smile became bitter, as if she had already given up.

"You can't save someone who doesn't want to be saved."

The words were spoken with gentle, kind and soft tone, but it contained deep sadness, bitterness and also despair.

When Issei heard this, his eyes widened and his body tensed as if the words just struck him to the core. For once he had clearly lost his words as he stared at the beautiful woman who looking at him with a bitter smile.

Kalawarner only gave Issei one last sad smile before she tilted her head up and she soared, following her fellow fallen angel that just left a moment ago.

Issei stared at the flying fallen angel's form with the same mix of emotions from before. He didn't know what he was feeling. Shocked? Confused? Angry? Surprised? It... It was... He couldn't describe it, but for some reason those ten words that Kalawarner had spoken had made him... feel really strange...

Was he upset? Did he feel anger? Frustration? Sadness? Happiness? No... It wasn't that...

Then what this feeling?

"Those bastards!"

The cursing broke Issei out of his thoughts. He turned around and saw Raynare standing up. Blood covered most of her body, her legs were trembling and her skin seemed paler while sweat had also drenched her figure. It was clear that she was barely able to stand now.

But that not what caught his attention.

It was the person she was holding. It was a beautiful blonde girl that was trembling in fear, wearing nothing but a white sleeveless shirt that reached to her knees. This girl was the excommunicated nun.

The one he had come to save.

In an instant he traced Bakuya again and threw it. The white sword rotated and spun, cutting through the air quickly and aimed at Raynare's head. Issei didn't need to talk, the Sekiryūtei knew well how this was going end if he let her do that.

Unfortunately, this time Raynare was no longer surprised. She tilted her head, dodging the sword that barely missed her neck by a few inches that way.

"Ha! That was your last chance, boy!" Raynare sneered at him with smug face "Don't move!" She shouted as her hand glowed and she placed it near Asia's neck, ready to shoot light from it and kill her. "If you move I will kill her!" She yelled in a threatening manner.

Issei scowled at hearing that, gritting his teeth angrily while clicking his tongue in distaste and gripping Kanshou in his left hand more tightly. Upon seeing this, Raynare slowly developed a sick grin on her face before it dropped into an ugly snarl "You ruined everything." She said, the anger in her voice clear. "You ruined my entire plan! My plan for Azazel-sama! You destroyed the chance of me to become loved by him!" She screamed in pure hatred and with a hint of despair.

Loved... Was that what she want? To be loved?

Issei remained silent and stared at her, his expression still stoic.

"I had to agree with Kokabiel suggestion and follow his orders even if I knew it was strange and there something amiss about it! But I decided to follow him because I knew that if it succeed, Azazel-sama would look at me! He would love me! He would praise me and see me as worthy person!"

Pity... That certainly wasn't what Issei had expected to feel towards her... But now after seeing her like this... He feel nothing but pure pity and sympathy toward the fallen angel...

"But you! You just came here, barging in and destroying everything! Not only that, you even made my fellow fallen angels betray me! Me! I'm Raynare of the Grigori!" Raynare declared her title with a mixture of anger and madness in her tone "And worse! You are only a human, yet you possess this much power! How?! You are just a cursed creature! Your kind even commits sins darker than us! And yet! You! You have such power!"

Envy... It was clear this woman had fallen because of envy... Even if she didn't say it, Issei knew... Seeing her behavior and words, it was more than enough for him to know.

"I will kill her, you hear me?!" Raynare pulled Asia's hair roughly and the girl let out yelp of pain "Even if you kill me, at least I will kill her first! You will know the taste of despair and hatred for failing! Just like me! I'm not going to die like a nobody! You're going to feel despair! For the sake of Azazel-sama and the Grigori!" She screamed in pure insanity, her beautiful face gone and replaced by an expression of pure malice and a wicked evil grin.

Issei didn't show any outward reaction at her words. His face still stony as he turned to Asia.

"Asia Argento right?" Issei asked in English, seeing the girl was a foreigner there was no way she could speak Japanese. The girl in question managed to nod weakly, showing she understood him and answered his question at same time "Don't worry, I will save you." He grinned slightly while pointing at himself with his free hand "I'm a hero after all."

Asia didn't know how to respond to that. But the tone he used was warm, very warm, gentle and filled with confidence. There was something about it that made Asia believe in him despite her current situation, so she found herself nod and smile weakly.

"I believe in you, Hero-san..." She uttered softly, her smile still radiant even if her body looked frail.

Raynare, who was hearing the conversation, had her grin falter and it was replaced by pure hatred. How dare this human?! Even now he is still looking down on her! He will pay! "Watch her die, Human!" She screamed as the glow of light in her hand started to intensify and-

SQUELCH!

Kanshou and Bakuya might be weak and only a C-rank Noble Phantasm, but it was still Counter Guardian EMIYA and Shirou Emiya's favorite weapon. There was reason for that. It was weak, sure, but it had multiple functions. Both of them were easy to trace, that was first. And when both were wielded, magic resistance and physical resistance improved, and their rank as both weapons and Noble Phantasms increased.

However, its real strength was the bond of the swords. They were married swords and attracted to each other like a couple in love, like Romeo and Juliet. If one was thrown while the other was held, the thrown sword would return to the wielder much like a boomerang.

Issei had thrown Bakuya moments ago while still holding Kanshou in his left hand. As result the white sword acted like a boomerang. Raynare's scream of pain echoed as her arm that was aimed at Asia was cut off by the white Chinese sword that returned, leaving nothing but a stump now in place of her left arm.

And at same time, Issei moved

His legs were swift and agile, and he twirled Kanshou in his left hand and gripped it in reverse. He dispersed the white Bakuya that was spinning towards him and was in front of Raynare in instant. His right arm shot forth, grabbing Asia's shoulder and pulling her away and behind him. His left hand gripped the white sword tightly and delivered a slash to Raynare's chest, leaving a deep wound on her body, eliciting scream of pain from her.

But Issei was not done.

While pulling Asia behind him, his right hand was already tracing a new Bakuya. And after cutting Raynare with Kanshou, he brought Bakuya forward to stab the fallen angel in her heart. Raynare let out a gurgle as she felt the white Chinese sword bury itself in her chest and pierce her heart. Blood started to flow out of her mouth and she stared at Issei with wide, shocked eyes.

"A... A... Azazel...sama..."

And he watch as light leave from there, her eyes slowly closed, her head bobbed down and her whole body slumped... Thus her life ended and Raynare of the Grigori was finally dead.

Issei stared at the fallen angel that had died on his arm without showing any sign of emotion. Slowly he raised his left hand and pushed the body away. With a sick 'squelch' sound, Raynare's dead body dropped to the ground.

It was over... It was finally over...

Issei took a deep breath and dispersed Kanshou and Bakuya. The fight was finally over... Asia was save... The girl's life was save and she still could smile and enjoy her life.

And yet... He felt no satisfaction...

"Hero-san?"

Issei turned to the girl behind him. The girl was staring at her savior with wide green eyes that were filled with concern.

"Are you okay?" She asked softly, still in English and Issei blinked in surprise.

"That's my line." Issei replied "I'm the hero here, you are the princess that has to be okay." He stated with small smirk and the girl blushed instantly.

"I...I... I'm fine! Hero-san saved me, so I'm fine." The girl stammered slightly and Issei chuckled in response.

He didn't feel satisfaction... But seeing the girl he saved... He felt happy at least... That was certainly a good thing, for a moment he almost thought he had completely turned into EMIYA. Despite being able to help people, that man had felt neither happiness nor satisfaction... For him, saving people was like breathing, he needed it, and it was a normal thing to do for him. Nothing extraordinary.

Issei clearly didn't want to end up like that...

"Good! Now then princess, let's leave this place." Issei said to the girl and she nodded, but her face still showed concern.

"Are you really okay?" She asked again.

"I'm fine." He answered and to make a point and relax the atmosphere a little he flexed his arm and showed her that he was unhurt. "See? I'm not wounded too much and-"

"That's not what I mean." Asia cut the Sekiryūtei off with sad look "Your heart... I could see there something in your eyes before... Are you really okay?"

Issei mouth closed and he stared at the girl with slight surprise. To think she was able to catch his emotion like that clearly in that short moment... He gave the girl a half smile. It was bitter but at the same time also sincere.

"I'm a little troubled, but seeing you save, it make me feels happy." He said in a soft tone and Asia eyes widened at that-

"I'm sorry... Because of me, you-"

"Nah, don't be like that. It's a hero's job to save people who need it." He cut her off while chuckling "Anyway, let's leave here. Oh, and you should wear this." He gave the girl my cape. It was slightly tattered, but it was able to cover her body better than the sleeveless shirt she was wearing – he could even see a nipple poking out for crying out loud!

Asia stared at the cape in confusion for moment before she realized her outfit and her eyes widened. She let out an 'EEP!' and quickly snatch away the cape like kitten who was hungry for food and wore it to cover herself.

Issei only laughed at that while shaking his head in amusement. Then he grabbed Asia's shoulder and scooped her up bridal style, making her let out another 'EEP!' while her blush increased further. You could compare her face to a tomato by now.

"H-Hero-san! T-This is - !"

"Ah don't protest, princess. At the end of a story all heroes save the princess by carrying her off bridal style, so just accept it, okay?" Issei said jokingly with grin.

To the boy surprise Asia blinked with genuinely confused look. She looked thoughtful and tilted her head to one side "Really? It works like that?" She asked, truly not knowing.

"Yup!" Issei answered while bobbing his head up and down.

"O-O-Okay then! I-I-If H-Hero-san says so, then I believe in you." She declared while stammering slightly and her blush made her expression even cuter.

Issei was barely able to stop himself from falling to his knees due to the cuteness she was displaying and overloading his mind.

'For some reason... I feel this situation will be common in the future as long she stays with me.' He thought but then dismissed it, there was no way such thing would happen; it was quite silly. "Let's go, tighten your grip, princess!" He declared and Asia nodded while spreading her arms slowly and hugging his neck.

"H-Hai!" She said with a nod and a smile "By the way Hero-san, what's your name?"

"Ah, it's actually against the rules to ask a Superhero for his name but for a beautiful princess like you, I will make an exception. My name is Hyoudou Issei, and I'm a hero. Nice to meet you!"