Chapter 265 ~ Arrival in DxD

Chapter 265 ~ Arrival in DxD --------------------------------------------------------- World: [Highschool DxD] Mission(s): Assist Rias and Her Peerage in the Upcoming Rating GameDefeat at least 10 Stray DevilsAdditional 100 GCP for each additional Stray Devil defeated.Defeat a high-class or above DevilAdditional 500 GCP for each unique devil defeated.Defeat a Sacred Gear userAdditional 500 GCP for each unique Sacred Gear user defeated.Defeat the Fallen Angel KokabielAssure the Success of the Three Factions’ Peace ConferenceKill a Leader of the Old Satan Faction within Khaos BrigadeAdditional 5000 GCP for killing all three leaders. Kill Rizevim Livan Lucifer (Special Mission: 5000 GCP) Number of Participant(s): All Current Members Supporting Items: Identity and Background HistoryStarting Asset: Equivalent to 60% of the owner's current wealth. Failure Condition(s): Rias and Her Peerage Losses in the Upcoming Rating Game.No Stray Devils defeated.No High-Class or above Devil defeated.No Sacred Gear user defeated. Three Factions’ Peace Conference ends in failure. Failure to Kill at least One of the Old Satan Faction’s Leaders within Kahos Brigade. Failure to Kill Rizevim Livan Lucifer Rewards upon completion: All supporting items will be permanently available to participants upon successful completion of the quest.10+1 pull ticket from the GachaGroup Chat Points equal to 1000 x the number of missions completed. Penalties upon failure: All supporting items will be removed from participants upon failure to complete the missions. Group Chat Points equal to 1000 x the number of missions failed will be deducted from participants. If points owned are less than points deducted, the points owned will be 0. --------------------------------------------------------- The long since expected mission in Aika’s world finally arrived and the group chat instantly became filled with messages and conversations. [Kiryuu Aika: “Ah! It’s finally here!!!”] [Chiba Erika: “Wow, the next mission really turns out to be in Aika’s world, huh?”] [C.C: “It also says that all current members would be participating. That should be a first, right?”] [Shiba Tatsuya: “Yes, and it seems there’s a good reason for it...] [Lelouch Lamperouge: “The number and difficulty of the missions seemed to have risen quite a bit.] [Suzuki Satoru: “And this time, we didn’t get any supporting items aside from identities and initial money...] [Tsubakihara Yuuji: “...That is a bit concerning. Just from a glance, I can already see some of the more troublesome ones...”] [Albedo: “Are the targets of our missions truly an adversary for even you, my love?”] [Tsubakihara Yuuji: “Well... They are slippery. So we’ll have to devise a good plan to complete it.”] [Chiba Erika: “Guess we’ll have to prepare quite a lot huh...?”] [Shiba Tatsuya: “Aika, the first mission is to assist Rias and her peerage in her upcoming rating game. I assume this was the one against the Phoenix’s peerage.”] [Kiryuu Aika: “Yep! That’s the one!”] [Shiba Tatsuya: “Have they settled on the date?”] [Suzuki Satoru: “If I remember correctly, they should be having a training camp a week before the rating game starts, right? When will they start their training camp?”] [Kiryuu Aika: “Tomorrow!”] [C.C: “Hm?”] [Lelouch Lamperouge: “What?”] [Chiba Erika: “Huh?”] [Shiba Tatsuya: “...”] [Albedo: “...”] [Tsubakihara Yuuji: “...Aika.”] [Kiryuu Aika: “They just set the date for the rating game! It’ll be in a week! So you guys should come here now~!”] The moment Aika confirmed the period of time they’re currently in, they all scrambled into motion. Magic items that might be useful were gathered, supplies checked, and everyone, especially those who hadn’t gone on missions to other worlds, prepared themselves mentally. Amidst the shock, Yuuji quickly centered himself, eyes sharp as he accessed his inventory with a thought. With a flick of his hand, a glowing interface materialized before him, and from it, he selected one of his most recently acquired gacha rewards—a Free Mission Support Item (R-rank). Not the most powerful reward in his arsenal—but still valuable. R-rank items had their limitations. They weren’t game-changers like SR ranked items that were equivalent to powerful relics, legendary weapons, or amazing spells. Most were supplementary: assets, one-time use magic items, or high-tier consumables. But even something modest could become a linchpin with the right planning. And Yuuji, fortunately, had prepared a plan. The item glowed faintly in his hand as he activated it, already envisioning how it could be used—not for immediate power, but to establish presence. He didn't just want to arrive in Aika’s world as a powerful outsider. He wanted roots. Influence. A subtle but unshakable foundation that would allow their group to maneuver socially, politically, economically—beyond just force. If everything went as he envisioned, this foothold would become their hub for information, leverage, and connection that would put him in a favorable position even against Gods and Devil Kings that existed in her world. With his preparations complete and a simple, travel-ready outfit adorning his form—a sleek black jacket over a fitted dark shirt and pants made from reinforced yet comfortable material—Yuuji stood still for a moment, his gaze drifting to the side. There, nestled beneath soft sheets and bathed in the gentle glow of morning light, lay his beloved—his sleeping beauties. Their peaceful expressions, the rise and fall of their breaths, the way the strands of hair framed their serene faces... it all tugged at his heart. He knew they would be frozen in time during his mission. No time would pass for them. But for him... it could be weeks. Months. Maybe longer. Even a moment away from them felt like an eternity. He stepped forward silently, as if afraid even the softest footfall might wake them. A bittersweet smile curled on his lips. “I’ll be back before you know it,” he whispered, voice gentle with affection. One by one, he leaned in to place a kiss on their foreheads, lingering just long enough to savor their warmth. A silent promise passed from lips to skin. When he finally stepped back, his heart felt heavy—but steady. There was something he had to do. For them. For her. He opened the multiverse chat interface with a thought and typed a single message into the group. [Tsubakihara Yuuji: “I’m ready.”] Soon after, almost instantly, an otherworldly light bloomed around him—pure, brilliant, and all-encompassing. His vision was swallowed by it, and with it came the familiar sensation of weightlessness. Gravity gave way, and the ground beneath his feet melted into air, into energy, into a dreamlike current that carried him forward. And then... He was gone. Transported into another world. Into her world. And the mission began. --------------------------------X-------------------------------- Light. That was all there was to it. Then, as if woken up from a dream, Yuuji opened his eyes to see sliding open panels revealing a private garden view—a miniature koi pond, moss-covered stones, and the delicate rustle of bamboo in the breeze. The sound of a nearby water feature—gentle and rhythmic—offered a serene backdrop, as if the room itself breathed in calm and exhaled serenity. Below his feet, the tatami mats, fresh and golden-green, stretched flawlessly across the floor, exuding a clean, earthy aroma that soothes the senses. Each mat was perfectly aligned, their woven textures catching the soft morning light filtering through delicate shoji screens—translucent and ethereal, framed in rich, dark wood. The sunlight, painting a gentle pattern on the floor. At the center of the room rested a large futon, plush and inviting-–enough for two people—layered with sumptuous silken bedding in hues of ivory and deep indigo, embroidered with subtle sakura motifs. A lacquered wooden headboard, minimal yet graceful, framed the bed with a single, blooming ikebana arrangement placed beside it on a low hinoki wood table, emanating the faintest scent of fresh pine. Above, a coffered ceiling of cedar wood glowed warmly under the golden light of an intricately crafted paper lantern chandelier, suspended like a glowing moon. Along one wall, an alcove (tokonoma) houses a hanging scroll depicting a tranquil mountain scene with a sun at its peak, paired with a small, hand-carved incense holder wafting a curl of sandalwood smoke through the air. “Wow...” He had expected opulence. Given the sheer scale of his assets—wealth vast enough to make him the richest man alive in his own world—it was only natural. Especially since the group chat’s support item had manifested a localized fortune, equal to sixty percent of that wealth, to serve as his foundation in Aika’s world. A home fashioned by that kind of power could only be magnificent. But more than its luxury, the serenity was what took his breath away. The moment he stepped through the veil of multiversal light, he found himself not in a palace of golden thrones or arcane towers, but in a tranquil retreat nestled among ancient trees and blooming sakura. The estate stretched like a hidden jewel across the curve of a peaceful lake, its still waters reflecting the soft hues of early morning. Mist drifted gently across its surface, catching the light like silken threads spun by spirits. The architecture was traditional yet timeless—refined wooden walkways, sloped tiled roofs, and paper-paneled doors that slid open to reveal spacious interiors bathed in natural light. Every detail whispered of craftsmanship and subtle grace. There were gardens shaped by loving hands, koi ponds where brilliant fish gilded beneath lily pads, and winding stone paths that led deeper into the forested estate. It wasn’t just a home. It was a sanctuary. Yuuji stood still for a long moment, frozen in awed silence. *Donk* “Ugh...!” The gentle clack of the bamboo fountain echoed through the garden—sharp and rhythmic, the sound of serenity. The hollow tube filled slowly, then tipped with a soft splash, striking the stone below with a muted thud before rising again. A constant, meditative cycle. But it wasn’t the sound that snapped Yuuji out of his quiet awe. It was pain. A piercing, searing lance of agony that tore through his mind without warning—like a lightning bolt splitting open the sky, it struck deep, raw, and violent. Yuuji staggered, the still world around him blurring at the edges. The tranquil beauty of his surroundings warped under the pressure of what was being forced into him. Memories. Flooding into his consciousness with the unstoppable force of a dam bursting open. Years—over a decade's worth—of fabricated experiences, intricate details, emotions, relationships, routines... everything that built the persona of “Yuuji” in this world. Even with his formidable mental defenses—innate traits and skills meant to protect him from illusion, mind control, and psychic manipulation—the sheer volume and velocity of the information made him grit his teeth as flickers of a false past painted vivid scenes behind his eyes. Childhood memories in this world. School days. Laughter. Friendships that never existed in truth. Business negotiations. Victories. Encounters with his friends from the group chat. His lovers... Then, as abruptly as it had come, the pain ceased—like a storm vanishing in the blink of an eye, leaving only calm skies in its wake. Yuuji exhaled sharply, the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding leaving him all at once. He blinked slowly. And when he opened his eyes, it was as if the memories had always been there. Not alien or forced, but familiar. Like scenes from a favorite film he hadn’t watched in years, but could still recall in perfect clarity. The sound of the bamboo fountain striking stone echoed once more, grounding him in the present. Then, a scream pierced through serene background sounds of nature. “Aaahh!!” Yuuji immediately dashed towards the source of the scream. It was a familiar scream. It was Erika. His Elemental Sight expanded through the entire premise, capturing each and every single minute details and position of the rocks, leaf, sand, drops of water, and his friends. Tremendous amount of information captured and analyzed in a fraction of an instant. But it was only information. Unlike when the fabricated memories were stuffed into his brain in even less, the strain was negligible. Yuuji rushed to the room where he heard Aika from. The sound of numerous footsteps against smooth, polished wood resounding from all around him. “Erika!” “Uggghh... Yuuji...?” Kneeling on the tatami mat of her room, Erika clutched her head with trembling fingers. Her usually composed expression was marred by a visible grimace, her brows furrowed as though trying to hold back a wave of pain. Cold sweat traced glistening lines down her forehead and temples, dampening the soft strands of hair clinging to her face. She looked up, eyes slightly unfocused but drawn instantly to him—to Yuuji—as if his presence alone anchored her. Her lips parted slightly as she took a breath, then slowly shook her head to clear the fog settling over her thoughts. Legs quivering beneath her, she tried to rise. Before she could collapse again, Yuuji stepped forward in one fluid motion. Without a word, he waved a hand, and a soft shimmer of golden light glinted in the air beside him. From the endless vault of his Golden Treasury, a cold bottle of water appeared, condensation already beading on its surface. He gently took her arm in his steady hands, his grip firm yet reassuring, and helped her to her feet. Erika leaned slightly against him, her balance unsure, but she steadied as she felt his presence—solid, dependable. "Here," he said softly, pressing the cool bottle into her palm. "Drink. Slowly." She took it with a nod, grateful, and brought it to her lips. The water was clean, crisp—its coolness chasing away the heat lingering from the sudden influx of memories they had both just endured. Yuuji watched her with a calm intensity, silently assessing her condition, and then let his gaze drift for a moment to the estate around them. So tranquil, so deceptively peaceful... while the two of them had just weathered a storm of forced recollection that would have broken lesser minds. He returned his eyes to Erika. “You felt it too,” he murmured. Erika lowered the bottle, her breath steadying. “Yes... It was like a flood. I remember everything now. This world... the life that was prepared for us.” The sound of hastened footsteps echoed down the wooden corridor—rapid and full of urgency. Each step grew louder, closer, until they came to an abrupt stop just outside the room. Tatsuya, Suzuki, Albedo, C.C., and Lelouch stood in the doorway, their expressions etched with worry. But that concern melted almost instantly into relief as their eyes found Yuuji and Erika upright and unharmed. Tatsuya’s gaze lingered briefly on Yuuji before shifting to Erika, his calculating eyes scanning her posture. Suzuki gave a small sigh, placing a hand on his chest, while Lelouch adjusted his collar as if smoothing out tension, letting out a soft, almost silent, sigh of relief. The three of them had felt this before—the tearing influx of memories and identity synchronization that came with world-jumping missions. For them, it had been jarring, yes—but not overwhelming. Albedo stood with her hands clasped elegantly in front of her, her golden eyes flickering with unspoken thoughts, a small crease forming between her brows. She observed quietly, taking mental note of Erika’s condition, and ready to help her sister if the need ever rose. Beside her, C.C. stepped forward, the faintest breeze fluttering her long green hair, her amber eyes focused and warm. Despite the cold and immortal aura she typically wore like armor, there was a gentleness to her now. “Are you okay?” she asked softly, her voice like silk wrapped in sunlight. She extended her hand, and golden light bloomed from her palm, shimmering like morning dew kissed by the sun. The light surrounded Erika’s body in a soft halo—sparkling, soothing, warm. Erika blinked, and the tension seemed to bleed from her limbs. Her shoulders lowered, her breathing steadied, and the faint tremble in her fingers stilled. The last traces of shock and weariness vanished like mist beneath a rising sun. “...Thank you,” Erika whispered, glancing between them. “I didn’t expect it to hit that hard.” Yuuji smiled faintly, his hand still gently supporting her back. “No one ever does.” He turned towards his friends, then shifted his gaze up to the reddish-red afternoon sky, noting the estimated time of day. “Let’s gather and begin discussing our plans for this mission. I’ll go and pick up Aika from her school.” Yuuji lifted off the tatami floor and began to float. His figure disappeared into thin air, light bending around him as space disobeyed reality in respect to his will. A burst of wind blew as Yuuji took off into the orange-red skies of a whole new world.