[+89,345 AP!]
Before leaving, Zaydas used "Loki" to prevent him from doing any harm to the children who were Shizue's students.
That arrogant teenager who pretended to be kind had vanished. Now, his eyes were filled with fear as he messed up his hair incessantly, like a mad scientist.
"This can't be happening to me... This can't be happening to me...!" he muttered, until his despair exploded into a scream, thinking: 'I was supposed to rule everything and everyone! Who... who dared to destroy my dream!?'
...
After leaving, he didn't exit the castle directly, but instead, went to the library.
Upon arriving, before starting, he found himself at an impasse.
The knowledge of the [Sage], or more precisely, the 'Data Storage' was already almost full.
After thinking a bit, he sacrificed [Thought Guidance (Rank A+)], [Thought Restraint (Rank A+)], [Summoner (Rank A)] to the [Sage].
[Announcement. Extra Skill: [Sage (Rank A-)] has evolved into Unique Skill: [Great Scholarly Sage (Rank S)]]
[Great Scholarly Sage at your service, My Master!]
When the evolution finished, using the world's voice, [Great Scholarly Sage] spoke in his mind.
At that very moment, he analyzed and saw that it had become something similar to Rimuru's 'Great Sage'. The only real difference was the name.
Of course, that's not all—the Great Scholarly Sage is capable of influencing people's minds. In other words, if it wishes, it can even offer suggestions in the middle of a fight, unsettling the opponent.
In short: Incredibly broken!
'For now, let's analyze the data in this library. Can you link to the [Fenrir] skill?' he asked.
[Affirmative, My Master.]
After replying, [Great Scholarly Sage] was able to use [Fenrir] without Zaydas even needing to ask.
Of course, he gave access to the 'gate', which is the only reason the [Scholarly Sage] was able to control [Fenrir].
'Hahaha, not bad, not bad at all~'
After laughing in his mind, he began to use [Fenrir] stealthily while hiding his presence in the form of a mosquito, analyzing all the books in the library.
...
[2 Days later...]
Finishing up, Zaydas teleported outside the kingdom and returned to human form.
Cracking his neck, he felt tired.
Instead of going back, he teleported once more to his mansion in the city under construction by Rimuru.
'I'll sleep a bit before returning.' he thought to himself.
...
A few hours later...
Upon waking up, he stretched while yawning.
'It's time for me to go back.' he thought: 'By now, the girls should've finished preparing lunch.'
Thinking that, he used [Dimensional Jump].
───────────
When he returned, he adjusted the flow of time.
In the living room, he used [Creator] and created the [Anti-skill].
He had to admit that having such a skill was useful. Although it has its flaws, such as the existence of someone like him who was able to steal the [Creator] skill, it's not like there are many others like him with such abilities. Therefore, he doesn't need to worry too much about it.
'For now, I'll use the [Great Scholarly Sage] to analyze this skill...'
Although he could continue using the [Anti-skill] through the [Creator] skill, if possible, it would be better to stop depending on this skill to be able to create new ones.
Creating a clone, he tried using skills against himself, but they stopped working when they got within 10 cm of him. Even a fireball launched in his direction was nullified.
However, that was only for TSSDK abilities. When demonic power was used and he was attacked with simple power to create a fireball, it still hit him.
'I knew it would be like this...'
Well, it was too good to be true.
However, he had the advantage of using this when it came to TSSDK. It wasn't all bad.
'By the way... I didn't expect Yuuki to have the [Plunderer] skill... And even though it's Rank A+, this skill is simply too arrogant!'
[Plunderer] is a unique skill that allows one to steal or plunder the powers, abilities, and spirits of their enemies. Essentially, it functions as a mechanism of appropriation that gives the user the ability to strip others of their attributes and make them their own. This includes:
Energy and Strength Theft: Using [Plunderer], he can absorb the physical or magical energy of his opponents, weakening them while strengthening himself. This makes him particularly dangerous in combat, as he can become more powerful as the fight goes on, depending on the opponent's strength.
Appropriation of Techniques and Memories: Beyond energy, [Plunderer] allows him to take techniques, abilities, or even memories from those he affects. This means he not only gains their raw power but also their knowledge and experience, making him an adaptable and versatile enemy.
Spiritual Deprivation: In some interpretations, this skill can also extend to the spiritual realm, allowing it to interfere with the soul or essence of its targets, aligning with its broader ability to manipulate souls and information.
'Even though I already possess 'Fenrir' which can do almost all of this.' Zaydas thought: 'This skill seems to be more versatile in certain aspects. Maybe I should try merging it with 'Fenrir'?'
Of course, he couldn't do that now. He didn't even have time to return to TSSDK.
Pushing an imperial-style food cart, Shuna entered the grand dining hall. Beside her, the girls followed along.
───────────
In the blink of an eye, it was Monday, April 19.
Like any other day, Zaydas went to school and, at the end of the day, he went to Rias's club. There, Sona came with two girls from the church and then left, leaving the two in the clubroom.
Zaydas was able to automatically identify who they were before they were even introduced. Even though they looked a bit different from their anime appearance, in fact, they looked even better than in the anime.
On the couch, Rias and Zaydas and the two "guests" were sitting facing each other. The rest, including Shizue, Asia, and Ravel, were behind Rias and Zaydas.
Ever since those two from the church entered the clubroom, they had acted pompously in front of them.
If Shion had been present, it would have been hard to stop her from wanting to cut the two down for being so disrespectful.
"Recently, the Excaliburs of the holy swords that were kept by the Catholic Church Headquarters in the Vatican, the Protestant Church, and the Eastern Orthodox Church were stolen." Xenovia suddenly spoke.
When this was said, the one most shaken was Kiba, for obvious reasons.
"So what do the stolen Excaliburs have to do with this country located in the east of the world?" Rias asked. Her tone was neutral, but her aura made her a bit intimidating.
Xenovia continued speaking: "The Catholic Church was in possession of two Excaliburs, including mine. The Protestant Church also had two. Likewise, the Eastern Orthodox Church had two. The last one disappeared in the previous war between God, demons, and fallen angels. One Excalibur was stolen from each Church. Those who stole them fled to Japan and brought them to this city."
Rias placed her hand on her forehead and took a deep breath: "It seems my territory is full of incidents. So, who are the ones that stole the Excaliburs?"
"The ones who stole them were the Grigori." Irina replied.
Rias widened her eyes in surprise at the response: "The holy swords were taken by the fallen angels' organization? It's not a matter of misunderstanding. But it would certainly be the fallen angels when it comes to stealing them. For the high-ranking demons, holy swords don't interest them much."
Xenovia reported: "We know the main culprit who stole the Excaliburs. One of the leaders of Grigori, Kokabiel."
"Kokabiel..." Rias murmured: "One of the leaders of the fallen angels who survived the previous wars since ancient times... I never expected to hear the name of someone who appears in the Bible."
Xenovia spoke in a neutral tone, but without hiding her arrogance and disdain: "Our request... No. Our order is to have no demons interfering in the battle between us and the fallen angels over the Excaliburs. In other words, we came here to tell you not to interfere in this incident."
Rias's eyes changed after hearing the way Xenovia spoke.
"Hahahaha!!"
When Zaydas heard that, even though he sensed this might happen, Zaydas couldn't help but laugh out loud.
How could he not laugh?
Isn't it laughable that someone so weak spoke so boldly?
Seriously, where did she get such guts?
"Are you okay~?" Irina asked, as if speaking to a mentally unstable patient.
Zaydas stopped laughing and leaned forward, looking at the two of them.
"Of course, I'm okay, but what she said was just too funny, seriously~" Zaydas said in a cheerful tone, looking at them with an amused gaze: "I don't know if you're bold, or just plain stupid. So, how could I not laugh~?"
Xenovia's expression darkened while Irina still maintained her usual amused expression.
"Are you mocking us?" Xenovia asked dangerously.
"Yes, and what can you do about it?" Zaydas asked with a playful smile.
"Zay-kun!" Rias, seeing that a confrontation between them was about to erupt, tried to stop him.
"Rias." Zaydas looked at her: "Why do we have to keep listening to crap from these two? Do they think they're in some free-for-all zone where they can do whatever they want?"
"I understand, but..."
"No, you don't understand." Zaydas cut her off: "Or what, are you afraid a war will start? Don't make me laugh, they were clearly sent here to die, the church doesn't give a damn about these two."
"You bastard!" Xenovia drew her sword and pointed it at him: "If you keep talking crap, I'll..."
Before she could continue, Zaydas simply extended his hand and pinched the tip of her "Excalibur Destruction" using [Power of Destruction], and the sword began to disintegrate before their eyes.
"Tell me, what are you going to do?" Zaydas stood up, looking down at her.
Several gulping sounds were heard, while Xenovia nearly fell as she stepped back and bumped into the couch behind her.
Irina's face turned pale. "He, he... How?"