Chapter 7: The Enemy Of My Enemy

Chapter 7:

"___" - Speech

(___) - Thoughts

{___} - Internal Voice(s)

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He wearily arose from his futon as his eyelids gradually parted, as he glanced to his side he took in the sight of his assistant still sound asleep at the other side of the room. 

(Looks like today's the day, here's to hoping I make it to the end of it in one piece.) 

The small sunbeams piercing through his window illuminated his face as it revealed his eyes which looked like that of a dead fish. 

(Using others like this, I can't say it feels good. Truth be told, I think a part of me is glad that the Leviathan's sister saw through my charade.)

He donned his staple white shirt and plopped on his slippers as he walked up towards the mirror. 

(It's strange, not even a week ago I was just an ordinary human. I don't think I've even fully accepted the reality of things, yet for some obscure reason I've continued as if everything was normal. Is something wrong with me?) 

As he peered deeper into his reflection, he began to wonder if he even understood how his own mind worked anymore. 

(I guess It's too late for me to be having second thoughts anyways, at least this is better than doing nothing but tending to this menial shop day in and day out.) 

He took a deep breath as he took his time composing himself. Until both Kokabiel and the Leviathan were on the same stage, there was very little room for error. 

His eyes turned towards what looked to be a framed photo lying on a countertop. 

(Would you be proud? Or disappointed? Or would you not know what to make of me anymore? I'm not sure, but I suppose there's still a chance that we'll meet again before the sun arises once more.) 

Jin gently picked up the frame and brought it up to his face. 

(I wonder, is it better that you're not seeing me as I am now? Or is that just my selfishness?) 

His expression softened as he put the photo down and walked towards the kitchen. 

"Looks like someone's finally up." 

He came to a halt as a voice sounded to him from his dining table, one he wasn't expecting to hear for a little while longer. 

"I'm assuming this isn't just a social call?" 

Azazel nodded as he poured a second drink and slid it to the chair beside him. 

"I got your message." 

As the reasoning for his presence became clear, Jin wasted little time taking a seat and politely accepting the drink offered to him. 

"I suppose I should start by saying that I'm not even remotely surprised that he's the one behind this." 

"You're —not?" He asked hesitantly. 

"Kokabiel has always been a war fanatic, ever since the last one ended he's done nothing but constantly try to convince me that another was in our best interests. What's worse, he thinks we'd even have a chance at winning." 

(What's with this atmosphere?) 

"I've tried countless times to get him onboard with the prospect of a peaceful future, but he was never intent on listening. It was just war this, war that, regardless of how much I pleaded with him to change his mind." 

(War, I see, so that's what he was after. Killing either of the Heiresses would obviously force the Devil's hand, and by stealing the Excalibur's Heaven would also have to get involved.) 

"Once I decided to pursue peace all those years ago our paths started to diverge, ever since I've had a feeling that a day like this would come sooner or later." 

A deep groan left his lips as he took a slightly larger sip from his glass. 

"Just so you know, I've already officially excommunicated Kokabiel from Grigori. The brass from the other factions should be receiving word eventually, but I've made sure the Leviathan household in particular hears of it first." 

(He already knows what I'm planning on doing, I guess he's not in charge for nothing.) 

As much as Jin wanted to respond, he could tell that the Governor still had more to say. 

"You know, there was a time when the two of us were close friends. I still have visions of the moments we shared, I guess deep down I've always hoped that he could change, that an outcome such as this was avoidable." 

He let out a dry chuckle as he dipped his head. 

"It's funny really, the old him still visits me in my dreams every now and then. From when we were still young-blooded idiots trying to snag up every woman we could find." 

As he got up from his seat, the sound of breakneck fluttering reached Jin's ears as all twelve of his wings extended from his back. 

"I suppose he'll soon visit me no more. But don't let my ramblings deter you, do what you must." 

Without uttering another word, he vanished into thin air as Jin was left agape, utterly and completely stunned. He could've sworn that his [King] had been holding back tears midway through his monologue. 

Jin leaned back into his chair as he gripped his forehead with his palm. 

(As if this job wasn't already repugnant enough —haaah.) 

"Was that Azazel-sama?" 

He slowly turned his head towards his now awake assistant. 

"It's not polite to eavesdrop." 

"Perhaps, but there's not much I can do when you're literally in the room adjacent." 

"Haha, fair enough. So, how much did you hear?" 

"Almost everything. Will there be—" 

"There will be no changes, we'll simply proceed as planned. Unless you're suggesting there's something that needs changing?" 

"Of course not, Jin-sama." 

Knock! Knock!

(Customers? At this hour?) 

With an inquisitive look on his face, Jin walked towards the storefront unsure as to who would be at the shop so early in the day. 

"Good morning, Crow-san." 

"G-good morning." 

(I should've guessed.) 

Both Xenovia and Irina had arrived bright and early at his outlet, perhaps a bit too early for his liking. 

"You do realize that the sun hasn't even fully risen yet?" 

"An Exorcist's duties know no rest! Besides, you should be happy to see us!" She playfully punched Jin in the shoulder as he stood there with a drained smile. 

(Should I be?) 

Groooowl! 

She held her stomach as she looked at Jin with an embarrassed expression. 

"You might as well come inside, I'll heat up some leftovers for you." 

"Your charity is much appreciated." 

The two starving Exorcists hurried inside as Jin sat them down at the table and offered them each a glass of water. 

"Ah, thanks." 

With Oron's help, and the convenience of modern technology Jin managed to whip a meal for all four of them.

(They're like starving beasts…) 

To his dismay, they showed little mercy to his fridge and they tore through copious amounts of food in mere minutes. 

"Do they not feed you or what?" 

"They do, but my idiot partner over here spent all our money on a fake St. Peter's portrait." 

"It wasn't a fake!" 

"It was! Since when was St. Peter's nose longer than my Excalibur!?" 

"...Uhhh." 

(It's hard to believe that these two are professionals sometimes. Oh well, if they're going to make my job easier I don't mind torturing my wallet a little.) 

"So, is there any reason in particular the two of you are here this early?" 

"Eh? Aren't we attacking Balba today?" 

"We are, but obviously we won't be doing it in broad daylight. Don't tell me Exorcists do their work while people are still out and about?" 

His remark seemed to strike a chord in the two of them, causing a bit of sweat to drip down their foreheads. 

"O-o-of course not, that would be irresponsible!" 

(Just how haven't either of them been caught yet? Unbelievable.) 

"I guess it's not entirely a bad thing the two of you are here, perhaps a little bit of training before we depart would do me good." 

(Azazel's probably going to continue to keep me busy even once this headache has been mended. Getting a little bit of exercise done beforehand would be nice.) 

"Hoh? You sound awfully tame for a Crow." 

Jin scoffed as he gestured towards his assistant. 

"I have him here for a reason." 

"So he's also your bodyguard or something?" 

"Pretty much." 

Oron shot an austere glance of clear annoyance his way as he pretended not to notice. 

(I guess he's still mad after all…) 

Eventually, the plates were wiped clean as both Xenovia and Jin stepped out into the backyard for a bit of pre-mission preparation. 

"Do you really have to stand there?" 

Of course, Oron insisted on supervising the spar like an overly concerned parent. 

"It's necessary, Jin-sama." His hawk-like gaze sent shivers down Jin's spine as he had no other choice but to let him do as he pleased. 

"Enough stalling, let's get started already." 

Xenovia withdrew the cloth fastened onto her back and slowly began to unwrap it, as the fabric unveiled, a stark frigid sensation invaded Jin's mind. 

(So that's a Holy Sword, even though it's not my natural enemy it's still without a doubt a threat. This might be a spar, but I shouldn't let myself get careless.) 

"This is Excalibur-Destruction, since you're a Crow don't expect me to go easy on you." 

(Actually, I'd love for you to go easy on me, I hope she understands this is just a spar and not a fight to the death. Then again, I'm the idiot who suggested it in the first place.) 

"Haha, try not to kill me if possible." 

Though his confidence wasn't exactly at its peak, Jin planted his left foot forward and held his fists up to his chin. 

"Oh? You're not going to use a weapon?" 

"Believe it or not, I'm more inexperienced than you could ever imagine. This is all I really know." 

She briefly tilted her head in dither before shrugging off his peculiar remark. 

"I hope you've at least got something in that arsenal of yours, otherwise this is seriously going to hurt." 

(Well that's reassuring.) 

She wasted little time lunging forward as Jin ducked below with his fists primed. 

(Huh, that was easier than planned.) 

"Idiot." 

The Exorcist sneered as her kneecap bolted towards his face, threatening to crack his skull open like a coconut. 

"Jin-sama!" 

With his current prowess, opening up a counterattack was out of the question, instead all he could do was raise his arms in a cross-guard as he prepared to absorb the brunt of her impact head-on. 

(Looks like she was right, this is probably going to hurt like hell.) 

Her patella collided against his humerus as Jin reflexively clenched his teeth, the pain was as if someone were grinding down his fingers with a mortar and pestle. 

"Hurts doesn't it? But I must say I expected that to completely disable your arms, the fact that you've still got'em up like that proves you're more durable than the average Crow. I heard that sometimes your kind have multiple wings? Is that what it is?"

He let out a dry snicker as he examined the bruises on his arms gradually reddening. 

(If I'm more durable, it's probably the characteristics of the [Gold General] at work.) 

"Unfortunately—" 

Xenovia's ear canals caught onto a fluttering sound as he extended both of his wings. 

"I'm just a run-of-the-mill single pair, but I appreciate the compliment." 

(For now, at least.)

"I see, I can also tell you've had some sort of training, but you've probably never used your skills in a proper fight before right?" 

(Technically there was that one time with Freed, but I only "won" because I managed to catch him off-guard.) 

"Correct again." 

(Should I use it? No, that's bound to get her even more fired up and possibly leave me with lasting injuries. However, if my fists won't work anyway I might as well experiment with something a little tamer.) 

A faint argent glow emanated from his palm as he conjured a light spear just as he had done before with his assistant. 

"I thought fists were all you knew?" 

"That's still true, but I'm feeling a little creative at the moment." 

(These things are sharp and I can operate with relative ease, I could probably combine the fighting style I understand with the one I don't to give myself a slight edge.) 

She swung her Excalibur as the sound of the wind being cut wrung through his ears, both of his wings folded in front of him as their feathers interlocked with one another and hardened. 

But his offensive wasn't over just yet, her eyes darted below as she saw a spear gunning straight for her face. 

"...Damn." 

She had little choice but to point her sword downwards to defend against the blow as Jin's feathers managed to cut the surface of her chin. 

(Even with that she was still fast enough to dodge, could I have done the same if I was still a human? Actually, scratch that, the obvious answer is no.) 

"You're fast as well, it shouldn't be a problem if I up the stakes a bit right?" 

"Eh?" 

(Wasn't I trying to avoid this?)