Tale of Discovery

Chapter 101: Adaption ; Conference ; Phantoms

My words are surprising for everyone except a select four: Michael, Gabriel, Krul, and Yuno.

The reason for that is obvious. Krul and Yuno already know that our existence is beyond that of 'God'.

As for Michael and Gabriel, I'm guessing that they've met the original God, so they already know what 'he' looks like.

I'm curious to know what 'I' looked like back then. For some reason, whatever I remembered was related to the Great War, it's participants and me sealing something off before engaging in the battle.

This isn't all, as, from 'my' memories, I recall individuals that have fearsome powers on the level of Codes.

Unfortunately, I can't make their appearances out properly, almost as if something is interfering and preventing it.

Leaving that aside, Michael and Gabriel should still be surprised even if a little by my claim of 'creating' God.

He was a Proxy that I had produced for reasons that I'm unable to recall at the moment.

So, these two Angels should react somehow. Unless they've been told by my Proxy itself regarding this matter, in that case, it's understandable.

All of a sudden, I feel a weird sensation within me before AI's voice resounds within my head.

{Subverted: Michael Victorianul Gabriel Victorianul Uriel Victorianul Raphael Victorianul.}

Subversion? Even though they were serving 'me'? Does that mean that my Proxy is considered a separate entity from myself?

Leaving that aside, it's strange that neither Uriel nor Raphael have shown up yet.

Well, it doesn't matter much. Focusing back on reality, I say to everyone,

"Let's head back to the academy. I'm assuming that things aren't as simple as they seemed based on the memories that I just received."

Confirming my words, Michael gets up and says,

"The supernatural beings of this world are not on friendly terms. Currently, unbeknownst to most lower beings, we're in the midst of a continental war with strong beings that seem to just come into existence."

Just as I thought, something is going on. Nevertheless, continental war, huh? I wonder what is it that has brought this on.

Thus, our trip to heaven comes to an end.

--

"He really is" Azazel mutters upon our entry to the room the conference is being held in.

Smiling at the Angel that 'I' threw out of Heaven for being lascivious, I remark,

"It seems like you have an idea regarding my existence, Azazel."

This results in him freezing up for a solid ten seconds before muttering,

"Father?"

I chuckle in response to his actions before taking a seat at the round-table while creating more seats for Yuno, Krul, and Gabriel.

Azazel's reaction is expected, as, what I said just now coincides with something that happened in the past. A long time ago, Azazel who was one curious Angel wished to know where 'I', his creator, came from.

Despite spending days 'investigating' me, he couldn't come up with anything. However, one day, he was bored and began spouting whimsical nonsense regarding higher existences, to which I said those very words to him.

Back then, Azazel took my words seriously, thinking he got me to admit an extremely confidential matter just through 'guessing'.

Naturally, it didn't take long for Azazel to discover that I was just messing with him, which he didn't take as well as I thought he would.

It was at the point that he developed his passion for research and females. For some reason, 'I' didn't find it funny as I kicked them straight out of Heaven.

The good old days of trolling my Angels

Focusing back on the matter at hand, I ignore the piercing gazes I'm getting from the girls who weren't present at Heaven as I say,

"Let the conference begin."

Nodding once, Azazel says with a wry smile,

"First, I've got to apologize for the trouble that one of us caused."

Aha, the Coca Cola?

"Forget it, that fly was easily taken care of," I say dismissively while waving my arm in front of me.

Almost choking on his following words, Azazel continues,

"It's unfortunate that he turned out that way, but we couldn't much about it."

After a while of explaining how the matter wasn't related to the Fallen Angel faction, Azazel finally concludes,

"And so, I hope that doesn't affect the relationship between our factions."

I beam a smile before saying,

"You don't need to worry about the relationship between the Fallen Angels and Angels, as you are equally precious to me.

"However, I'm not so sure about the Devil faction."

Channeling Holy Essence into my eyes, I look over at Sirzechs before saying,

"I'm interested in knowing what you had in mind by inviting me here, Sirzechs. Care to explain?"

{Discovered: Eye of Judgment.}

In response to my actions, Sirzechs slightly winces, before saying,

"Truthfully, my father and I had an idea regarding you being a Phantom."

Yeah, I expected as much. Even so, what's a 'Phantom'?

Forwarding the question to him, he looks around at everybody present before explaining,

"Phantom is the term that we commonly use in order to refer to the existences that have suddenly appeared all over the world, wreaking havoc wherever they go.

"The purpose of this conference today was to form an alliance to deal with the Phantoms that have been appearing at the borders."

In other words, these 'Phantoms' are either Codes or something else entirely.

I wonder what it is that made them able to see through my guise? As if answering this question, Sirzechs continues,

"Most of the higher beings of this world have means of seeing through others, including my father and me. Yet, the two of us were completely unable to see through you.

"You appeared as a regular Lower-Class Devil, despite the behavior of Rias implying that you are beyond that."

"So," I say, "What were you planning by inviting me here?"

A bead of sweat rolls down his forehead as he swallows his saliva before saying,

"Find out if you are a Phantom or not, and take action according to it."

I laugh at his words, as everyone gazes at him strangely before saying,

"Well, I am a 'Phantom'. What are you going to do about it?"

Sirzechs seems like he's unsure whether to take my words seriously or not as he looks for help from the others sitting at the table, however, as if knowing what I have in mind, they all expressionlessly stare into his eyes.

"Sirzechs, I will provide you an ultimatum."

My words seem to give a good amount of anxiety as he faces me and waits for me to continue.

"You either tell me everything you know about the Underworld and those who are considered worthy of knowing or I begin a crusade against all Devils."

My words seem to shake everyone apart from my Angels up as they all look at me to see if I'm being serious or not.

"Don't you think that's a little too much?" Serafall finally talks.

"How so?" I say with a friendly smile plastered to my face.

"Having someone either betray their race or be the reason for its demise. That's way overdoing it, don'tcha think?"

Looking at the cheeky smile on her face, I shake my head before letting out a sigh and saying,

"I can't have those under me endangered in any way. For that reason, even if I have to exterminate a plethora of pests, I will do it."

Unfortunately, Serafall doesn't seem to get taunted by my words as she keeps her composure with a small smile still on her face.

Now then, I need to find a way to deal with the Devils once and for all...