The next day, we split into groups for the school trip. As usual, I was paired with Issei, Matsuda, and Motohama. Joining us this time were Kiryuu, Asia, Xenovia, and Irina.
"Now that you mention it, second-years do take their school trips around this time of year," Rias said as we all relaxed in the clubroom after school, sipping tea. "Isn't it true that both you and Issei went to Kyoto back in middle school? Have you two decided on your plans for this trip?"
"Yes, President!" Issei replied eagerly. "Since Matsuda and Motohama are with us again, we're planning to take Asia and the others to the famous spots, but also check out some hidden gems we didn't get to see last time!"
"I see… Honestly, I wish I could've gone to Kyoto twice like you two… There just wasn't enough time to see everything the first time."
"Fufu Last year, Rias got so excited checking out every tourist site that she ran out of time and didn't make it to Nijo Castle. I remember her stomping in frustration."
"Geez, Akeno! You didn't need to bring that up!"
As we watched those two bicker like always, Issei suddenly turned to me with a thoughtful look.
"Hey, Ikki. Back on our middle school trip, you said you stayed with an acquaintance in Kyoto on the last day. Now that I'm a devil, I can tell that was definitely suspicious… Something happened, didn't it? Wait! Was it someone from the Kunou family?"
Oh? Seems like the suggestion I planted is finally wearing off after three years.
"Both, actually. I just happened to get caught up in an incident in Kyoto. That's how I ended up staying at the Kunou estate for the first time. Thinking back, it might've been the most brutal battle I've ever been in."
Mostly because of the recoil from using Ittou Rasetsu, but if I hadn't used it then, I'd be dead.
"Seriously!? You got seriously injured!? What kind of insane situation was that!?"
"Well, back then I was only about upper devil class in strength. The opponent was someone who could one-shot Kuroka, who was already top-tier. They were definitely at Maou level. Honestly, I'm surprised I made it out alive."
Now, I might be able to hold my own with Ittou Shura.
"Hmm. So Kyoto, the so-called magic capital of Japan, was really that chaotic. I'll have to brace myself for this trip," Xenovia said seriously.
"Exactly," I nodded. "Having at least high-class devil-level strength should be your minimum standard for going to Kyoto."
I figured I'd let Xenovia continue her misunderstanding. We were likely to run into the Hero Faction anyway.
"Hey, hey, Ikki!" Issei said, panicking. "It's just a regular school trip, okay!?"
"Huh? Ours was a regular school trip too, right?"
"Well yeah, but still!!"
While I was casually teasing Issei, all of our phones suddenly rang in unison.
That ringtone was for emergencies, usually involving the Khaos Brigade. As everyone in the Occult Research Club narrowed their eyes in alert, I expanded my detection field over the entire Kuoh district.
"There are at least five humans this time. The rest are the usual monsters."
"Seriously, how many times has this happened now? Everyone, stay sharp."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Just after sunset, we arrived at an abandoned factory on the outskirts of town, facing off against four humans from the Hero Faction. Behind them were over a hundred monsters that would vanish into dust if defeated.
"So, you're from the Hero Faction of the Khaos Brigade?" Rias asked calmly. "I'm Rias Gremory, entrusted with the protection of this town. Mind telling me what your business is?"
"Well, well, the sister of a Maou," one of them sneered. "Our mission is to purge the devils who plague humanity and liberate this town. Of course, the traitors who side with devils, angels and humans alike, will be punished as well!"
So, to them, devils are the enemy, and people like Irina and me are "traitors."
It's painfully obvious how thoroughly indoctrinated they are.
"Four enemies, huh," Rias murmured. She was really warning us that my scan detected five, meaning there was a hidden one. Everyone caught on just as the enemy launched the first attack with white flames from his palm. But one of them suddenly jumped forward.
"Hah! I'll wipe out all these devils myself! Watch closely! My Sacred Gear lets me use this stone to, "
Zshk!
He was instantly taken down by Yuuto. Well, some people really do overestimate their powers.
I was acting as midline support this time, backing up Koneko with senjutsu energy blasts. I was holding back unless absolutely necessary, no point hogging the fight and denying everyone else a chance to gain experience.
By the way, Kuroka wasn't here today. She's a free spirit and doesn't always show up for club stuff.
After Issei and Yuuto finished off the shadow user under Rias's command, Koneko dragged in a knocked-out guy by his collar.
"Wha, ?! There are two nekomata!? Don't tell me this is one of those Japanese NINJA clones!?"
The guy who Yuuto had floored earlier suddenly screamed like he forgot his pain. Yep, classic foreigner reaction. Wait… is he actually excited?
The illusion of Koneko beside me disappeared.
It was a senjutsu projection I created, making it look like Koneko was attacking with ki bullets. It's not perfect yet, but good enough to fool these Hero Faction grunts and helps me practice.
Still, I have to be careful not to give away too much real data, since they probably have informants.
"FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"
As that idiot screamed in excitement, the ground rumbled and a teleportation magic circle appeared beneath the Sacred Gear user, warping him away, signaling the end of the fight.
Huh? That felt… too easy? Eh, small changes, I guess.
The remaining Hero Faction members also teleported away, and the monster shadows, probably created by Annihilation Maker, disappeared.
Then, footsteps echoed from the back of the factory.
But I hadn't sensed anything. Who was it?
Stepping out of the shadows came… a beautiful girl with black hair and dragonic presence.
Wait. Ophis!?
"Wha, Ophis!? Why is she here!?"
Everyone froze in shock. Rias voiced what we were all thinking. Ophis calmly approached us. No one moved, everyone knew attacking her first would be suicide.
The tension peaked. We were all sweating bullets. And then, Ophis slowly spread her arms.
"Clothes. Chosen for me… Are they weird?"
Ah… Right. She was wearing a modified version of her old black dress, more elegant, refined, almost noble. Arthur's sister must've picked it out.
She looked at me. And with everyone else still frozen, I figured I should respond.
"They look good on you. Did you go shopping with Arthur's sister?"
"Yes… Since then, I wear new clothes daily, chosen by Le Fay."
She was momentarily wrapped in a dark aura, then transformed into a new outfit, black undershirt with a big X, skirt, and a bright purple jacket.
The "I'm not wearing underwear" look.
Wait… does that mean she's not wearing… No! Do not think about that! Losing something important as a human if you do!
"That's a modern outfit. For blending in, maybe? It suits you too."
So now the Infinite Dragon God is someone's dress-up doll. I can totally picture Le Fay beaming as she picks outfits.
Satisfied with my approval, Ophis disappeared instantly.
"…Hey Ikki. Is that really the terrifying leader of a terrorist group?" Issei finally asked.
"Hard to say," I shrugged. "Even Vali said she doesn't care about power or the world. Honestly, it feels more like the Khaos Brigade's just using her name."
They're like those who use borrowed authority to justify selfish violence… kinda like early Xenovia. Though the Khaos Brigade is way more dangerous.
Anyway, we had to report Ophis's appearance in Kuoh, so we disbanded for the day. Rias and Akeno were probably writing something like "Mini Fashion Show with the Infinite Dragon God" in their reports.
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