Chapter 125 - My SI Stash #25 - Speaking of Cao Cao by Aardwark Second (DxD)

-Andd we're back to DxD SI fics~ Recommended by tyrantmax, SI as Cao Cao, comedy sometimes but still NSFW.

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Sypnosis: ???

Rated: M

Words: 120K

Posted on: forum.questionablequesting.com/threads/speak-of-cao-cao-dxd-si.10218/ (Aardwark Second)

PS: If you're not able to copy/paste the link, you have everything in here to find it, by simply searching the author and the story title. It sucks that you can't copy links on mobile (´ー｀)

-I'll be putting the chapter ones of all the fanfics mentioned, to give you guys a sample if you wan't more please do go to the website and support the author! (And maybe even convince them to start uploading chapters in here as well!)

Chapter 1+3 (exceptional)

It was a solemn, dark room, like the type aristocratic villains are supposed to hold secret conferences in. A low, yellow lamplight increased the overall feeling of gloominess. Around a black roundtable, a bunch of figures wearing dark hoods are seated in silence.

In the middle of the seated figures, the leader gave a soft cough, foreshadowing the beginning of his speech.

However…

"Cao Cao, if anyone saw us, we would really seem like a bunch of villains plotting, wouldn't we?" An amused voice broke though the silence. Goddamnit Kuroka, don't destroy the atmosphere I worked so hard to create!

"…Certainly not! We are heroes in the shadows, and our great endeavor is for the salvation of humanity!" My, Cao Cao's, words bring forth an awed silence.

…Well, nobody speaks, but the snorts and light laughs from my subordinates give a different story.

Just then, the soft sound of footsteps is heard and everyone goes silent. A little girl walks in.

"The great endeavor of the Khaos Brigade is to drive off Great Red from the Dimensional Gap, and with that, bring back the silence of the void that has been replaced by the cacophonic dream. All other goals are secondary. Do remember that."

Her sound brings back the somber feeling that I had worked so hard to set up. That said, I am sure that everyone seated is laughing even harder in their hearts. Nobody in the Khaos Brigade is seriously thinking of bringing the fight to Great Red – that f.u.c.koff huge dragon can probably vaporize us with a thought.

"Certainly boss, the main goal of our endeavor is to take back your territory! But our Hero Faction is comprised of heroes of humanity and our greatest desire is to protect our brethren from being oppressed! But don't worry, our desires will always take a backseat to your wish! You can rest assured, boss!" With the 'angry customer pacification skill' honed from ten years of tempering in horrid part-time jobs, I pacified Ophis.

"Is that so. Well then, you can carry on with your meeting. As long as you know your priorities…" Saying this, Ophis turned away.

"Boss, could you wait for a moment? The 'salvation of humanity' thing I was talking about, well, it isn't a goal to be completed in the distant future. There is a clear and present 'threat to humanity', and the world can be saved by taking care of it." Hearing my words, Ophis hums a bit, before walking to my side. A kiddy chair that you could find in a kindergarden appears and she seats herself.

"Speak." There is a certain charisma, a certain gravitas in her one word. I have never seen a god before, but if I had, that god would surely pale before the little girl sitting by my side. A desire to prostrate and worship her takes birth within me – and is quelled the moment it is born.

I am terrified. This little girl is terrifying, just like Great Red in the Dimensional Gap. But unlike Great Red, she is sitting right beside me…

"Well, to begin with, calling it a 'threat to humanity' might be underselling it. It is certainly capable of killing everyone here apart from boss, blowing up continents and tearing apart Heaven and Hell. It can give boss a decent fight and naturally, it is capable of fighting Great Red as well." I haven't gone catatonic – I am even hyping up stuff for Ophis. And that isn't without fruit, for I can feel Ophis' anticipation.

"Everyone, you all know the truth about God. So then, have you heard of [666]?" At my question, my subordinates are wordless. However, Ophis shakes her head with a pitying expression.

"You are speaking about that Beast, huh? Certainly, that uncontrollable animal is capable of matching me and Great Red – perhaps even surpassing us. However, it has been sealed and shall probably not awaken until the end of time…" Hearing Ophis say this, those among my subordinates who hadn't figured out what I was going on about understand.

"Well, my Sacred Gear has warned me of the coming future – a madman shall tear apart the seal to bring about the end of times." At my reply, the temperature of the room suddenly grows colder.

"From what I have foreseen, the madman will seize control of the Khaos Brigade and use his strength to bring chaos in the world."

"Oh?" At this, Ophis raises an eyebrow. "So this person must have found a method to handle me, huh?"

"Naturally." Without elaborating, I continue. "I have knowledge of this madman's name, but speaking it might alert him – the saying 'speak of the Devil' isn't entirely false. That said, I do know a few things about him.

First things first, he is a male Devil. I believe his strength would match the current Lucifer's.

Next, has the ability to nullify Sacred Gears. That ability directly counters our Hero Faction.

Finally, his scheming and calculation ability is quite something. As a Devil, his ability to control the hearts of people is astounding."

"Interesting. And what should be our plan against him?" Ophis asked with her usual tone, that of an uncaring child.

"All I can do is focus on finding his location. After that, short of having you act against him, I have no offensive options. After all, the power of a Super Devil is unfathomable…"

"Hmph, I forgot how weak humans are. Naturally, since a threat capable of challenging me has come, I'll crush him as soon as he appears. You don't have to worry on that end." Saying this, Ophis got up from her chair and left.

'So scary.' Only this thought filled my mind as I left. I always thought about why Cao Cao betrayed Ophis, who should have been the perfect person to work under, powerful enough to back him while being naïve enough to be easily manipulated.

Now I understood. She was too powerful. So powerful that her naivety became an afterthought.

Even though I had knowledge of the LNs where she became a fanservice cute loli, this was reality and I wasn't the protagonist.

But that exact reason was why betraying her was retarded. She was too strong for that shit, after all.

+++

"As usual, boss's aura is too overpowering. Well then, the main point to be discussed has been concluded. So now, let's talk about the side points…" Naturally, Ophis's departure didn't end the meeting.

So everyone, let's continue with our meeting. What are your thoughts about Dungeon Create?" Since my transmigration a week ago, I've experienced many things as Cao Cao.

Apart from my five-man squad of Georg, Siegfried, Heracles, Jeanne and Leonardo, the Vali's Team – Bikou, Kuroka, Arthur and LeFay Pendragon are there as well.

Well then, apart from the little problem of not being able to call on my Longinus, everything else has been going swimmingly. Since there weren't any missions to do and everyone was training like meatheads, I decided to try and spice things up.

I stole the idea from a discussion forum – basically, since we have two high tiered Longinus capable of manipulating dimensions and creating life – Dimension Lost and Annihilation Maker, how about we fuse them together to create a dimension where monsters spawn?

Unexpectedly, Dungeon Create worked well enough.

"It's great."

"Getting resources while training, really nice."

"We should do this everyday."

"…" Unexpectedly, there weren't any complaints about overworking and exhaustion either…

Wait, there were two people who would have complaints from that end…

"Georg, Leonardo. What are your opinions on that end? Are you capable of using Dungeon Create daily?"

"Don't underestimate us."

"Yeah, it's alright."

The spectacled Georg said this while lightly rubbing Leonardo on the head.

"…Alright then, we'll make it a daily activity." I said this with a sigh. I got tired of it the day we used Dungeon Create the first time, and everyone else will soon enough.

After that came smaller issues. Like how we really should start recruiting, and needing commanders for new recruits. Jeanne, Arthur and Bikou should have commanding ability due to their lineages… and so, they should get study up on commanding a squad a little beforehand.

And finally…

"I need to get to Kuoh City. There is a promising recruit there." Hearing this, Kuroka gave me a look.

"That's a hotbed of Devils. Two Pillar Heiresses are there. Do you think you can sneak that recruit out unnoticed?"

"I'll have to at least try – he is way too promising." He is the goddamn protagonist.

"Anyway, from what I've gathered, he is completely unexposed to the supernatural. Meanwhile, his greatest desire seems to be a harem. That's why, to increase the chances of recruiting him, I need to show myself off as a guy with a harem…" I give off a sheepish expression.

"Let me guess, you have no idea how a harem runs, huh?" Kuroka's question had me nod.

"Alright, that's simple enough. Me, LeFay and Jeanne… we'll be your haremettes for the next few days. Please take care of us." With a amused smile, Kuroka bowed to me.

"Hey, I didn't agree to that!"

"Joining a harem… uh, just like that?!"

Behind her, the unamused voices of LeFay and Jeanne resounded.

Chapter 2

"Barrier setup complete."

"Dimension stabilization complete."

"Mana stabilization complete."

"Dungeon Creation… complete!"

Adjusting his glasses, Georg completed the spell and brought forth the dimensional barrier that was the Dungeon. Leonardo was within the barrier, setting up his Sacred Gear to manufacture monsters for the raid.

Next, it came the time to bring the explorers into the dungeon. "Now everyone, ease yourself and get ready to be teleported into my creation! Extinction Fog, start teleportation!"

Kuroka was licking her lips in anticipation, while Jeanne had drawn her rapier and was waiting anxiously. LeFay was confident, seated on her floating broomstick.

My 'harem' seemed to have settled the confusion amongst themselves, thankfully.

On the other side, Siegfried, Hercules, Bikou and Arthur were standing calmly, their waiting postures. Their heroic figures could be sculpted into masterpieces.

As for myself… Well, while I do look valiant enough, I am even more of a pretty boy. I am more suited to anime figurines…

My self-depreciative thoughts disappeared when Georg unleashed the fog of teleportation. Along with the rest of my squad, I found myself in a vast, deserted grassy field.

Immediately, a black wave of a waterish substance sweeped through the field and a veritable sea of monsters came to face us. Everyone separated, bracing themselves for battle.

Facing a pack of wolves, Kuroka waved her hands. Black light flowed like as she drew runes with her fingers. Adeptly using Youjutsu, she applied a chain of curses in a ranged attack. Demonic Power flickered on her fingers as she fired in range.

Jeanne promptly used Sword Birth to skewer the monsters with an array of swords. Having reduced the number of opponents, her rapier flashed to cut down the remaining enemies.

LeFay wasn't content with staying on the ground, flying up in the skies to hunt down a wyvern. Magic runes appeared around her in a blink and ice and fire came forth at her command to smite down the flying wyrms. Her skill in magic was evident, using flashy attacks that could compare to Devils, matching their natural talent with hard-earned skill.

Siegfried and Arthur drew swords to fight their opponents, one with beastly savagery and the other with knightly grace. Heracles fought with the power of his fist and Sacred Gear – but sadly, it wasn't the style of a berserker. Bikou though, he was sight to see, his Ruyi Jingu-Bang smashing through everything with a wave.

Naturally speaking of Georg and Leonardo, they were working in coordination to adjust the barriers and the created monsters, controlling their overall level of fighting ability so that it was just enough of a challenge for training.

As for myself? Well, I was just watching the spectacle. The current level of monsters was enough for my squad to improve their skills, but as for me… It would require the two using their Longinuses with earnestness to have me break a sweat.

I could only describe Cao Cao's skill with the spear as inhuman. Now that I had inherited it, I was in a realm unmatched by humans.

That said, there were probably hundreds of Devils and Angels who could whoop my ass in skill – and naturally, there were tens of thousands of Devils and Angels who could whoop my ass with sheer power.

I need my Longinus and I need it yesterday.

Meanwhile, everyone had started using their trump cards and going all out without holding back. Giant spell formations and magic circles appeared, giant beams of light flew and special technique names were screamed out.

Facing the wave-clearing skills as everyone went ham, the monsters were easily sweeped clear. Naturally, the materials that were supposed to be harvested were ruined… Well, everyone had harvested a decent amount beforehand so that could be forgiven.

With that, the Dungeon exploration session ended. Everyone carried out their farmed materials. Among us, only two figures were capable of using them - Bikou could use Chinese alchemy and LeFay could use Western alchemy. Kuroka probably had some skills, while I myself was capable of learning Bikou's skills as well.

But f.u.c.k crafting, I am nearing cannon-fodder level in fighting ability, I'll surely end up a cannon-fodder myself if I dare to divert my focus.

Why couldn't I be reborn as an infant? Lacking the most precious resource of time, I hate having to scramble for every chance to get power.

+++

"Everyone, good job. I didn't expect for this team activity to be so successful. Watching everyone go all out with their skills is always so fun to watch. Most importantly, I want to thank Georg and Leonardo for creating this barrier and making this training system possible…" I gave a brief thanks to end the session. Of course, I gave a thorough criticism before this, nitpicking on even the minutest flaws in everyone's fighting skills.

As good shonen characters, they are taking my advice to heart as they train to whoop my ass in the future. Or they are plotting to ambush me and whoop my ass in the present. How unfortunate that both these avenues will lead to failure.

Facing Devils, I am cannon fodder. Facing humans, I can solo them. Oh wait, Kuroka is a Devil… but I can solo her as well, how sad (not).

"Thanks, boss! That said, why didn't you participate in the Dungeon raid today as well? Even though you gave us the idea to create the Dungeon, not having you join in the fun is disheartening…" This time, Georg was the one persuading me as Leonardo gave me puppy eyes. Unexpectedly, the shota gaze was persuasive.

"Honestly, the monsters aren't enough for me to be challenged. To give me a challenge, you two will probably end up exhausting yourself. It isn't worth the candle…" I gave the same answer as usual.

"Boss, I think you are underestimating us. If we actually end up exhausting ourselves, that would be beneficial towards our training – that said, I don't think that's possible. Do you care about changing our minds?" Georg gave a smug grin.

"Alright, I'll show you my strength. That said, don't tell me I didn't warn you." At my acceptance of his challenge, I was covered by the fog and promptly teleported.

What appeared before me was a sea of fog. Giant Cyclops wielding clubs roamed the ground, ferocious wyverns covered the skies and all manners of gigantified beasts roamed everywhere.

Appearance without substance. As long as I had my spear, I had nothing to fear.

Drawing my weapon, I began my hunt.

+++

Thanks for the comments, Magireco Event Grinding so can't reply for now. Tomorrow, I'll reply to everyone.

Chapter 3

The dimension that the Dungeon Create spell has sent me into is the same as before. Blue skies, green grass and nothing else. Efficiency in creating temporary dimensions is good and all, but it is a bit galling that the dimensions created for Rating Games look so much better while being temporary as well.

The white spear in my hand thrusts out to pierce through a wolf. It isn't Sacred Gear tier but it is a good magical artifact regardless. It can freely change shape as mana is poured, up to and including duplication, has good durability and is pretty handy to use.

Bikou's Ruyi Jingu Bang can be called its sister weapon. While incomparable to the Longinus, it's utility beats most weapon-type Sacred Gears.

As I walk with spear in hand, I can't help but dwell on my thoughts. First things first, my failure in bringing forth my Longinus is depressing.

Imagine the strongest thing you can think of. Kamehameha, Super Saiyan, nukes… that's a wide variety of thing to think about. But there is a certain person who beats them all in strength.

Ophis. As you would expect, thinking about that loli hasn't been helping me to break out my strength. That's why, I am thinking of approaching it from another angle.

Rather than the strongest strength I can think of, I am going to bring forth the strongest strength I can produce myself.

But the tigers and lions that pounce can't take my blows. That's too bad. The grasslands that stretch on and on are worse. Green, static green everywhere!

I should really take Georg along to spectate a Rating Game. The current Khaos Brigade isn't as much a terrorist group but rather the defeated dogs of the Old Satan Faction bandying together under Ophis, a group that has banded together for the common goal of not getting nuked by the Maous.

Getting an invite for a few Rating Games should be easy enough. Tickets for the ones with good dimensional creation would be costly though…

Thinking this, I casually stab at a few wolves who approach me. Splat, splat, blood comes out with every spear thrust.

Annihilation Maker is really amazing. While it would seem that it can create powerful beasts out of shadows, it isn't actually that cheap. It creates actual biological lifeforms - they bleed when cut and eating them provides actual nutrition, not magical energy.

Leonardo is still probably the most unskilled combatant among us though. It might be due to him being young, but he really needs some training to complement his summoning skill. Mages are squishy, summoners especially so.

With many thoughts in my head, my path through the grasslands is nevertheless a cakewalk. Everything that attacks me dies. I kill everything by stabbing it, harvest a few materials on the side and walk along.

Just as I am thinking that it will be a cakewalk through and through, I am attacked from behind by a wyvern. Its flight is silent and the divebomb is flawless.

I look up at the false dragon. The horned head, the scaly armor and the razor tail. As it descends, I raise my hand to touch the horn that would spear through me.

The wyvern is dead before it knows it, and I flicker away as the untouched corpse falls on the ground with a thud. I take out my knife and start extracting materials. Every part of a dragon is treasure, but this wyvern isn't that cheap either.

My, Cao Cao's skills are few, but they have all reached absolute mastery. Spear technique doesn't need to be mentioned. Complementing it is my skill in Senjutsu.

Senjutsu (well, Cao Cao calls it 'Qi') is the power of lifeforce. My training of it has doubled my lifespan and youthfulness. With it, I can directly control the flow of lifeforce in myself and anyone else – naturally, 'kill with a touch' type of bullshit can be done as well. As suspected, newly manufactured lifeforms lack resistance – though Leonardo would be pretty incompetent if he couldn't set up resistance for this trick.

Naturally, I can use Touki (or Battle Qi) for general utility attack force, defense force and speed as well. I haven't used it until now though, my natural stats are good enough to do the job.

At that moment, a black wave sweeps through the grasslands and the horde of beasts return back to the shadows. Just then, a two projections appear before me.

"Boss, you are really good – normal waves really have no effect against you. Me and Leonardo are going all-out now – Balance Breakers together!" Having said his piece, Georg began emitting waves of magical energy as Leonardo only gave a piercing glare.

"Dimension Create!"

"Bandersnatch and Jabberwocky!"

+++

A sea of purple mist covers everything. Waves of mana are emitted from the sea as two giant figures come into being.

And as the mist clears away, two giant figures are revealed.

A giant humanoid figure, about ten meters long and wielding a giant blade to match – Jabberwocky.

A five meter long figure like an oversized feline predator, comically oversized teeth and a tail that swept to and fro like a cat's – Bandersnatch.

Both of them are incomparable to what Leonardo unleashes later on in canon, hundred meter tall giant beasts that tank all attacks with regeneration as they wreck apocalyptic havoc.

But they are challenging enough for me. Well then, it can't be helped.

My spear is ready. First, I'll kill the Bandersnatch – it was the weaker one in canon.

One, two, three – a series of thrusts flash. Touki flares out as my lifeforce circulates as a stream.

The first thrust is to build up force. The second is to concentrate strength. The third is wholehearted and pure.

The celebrated hero of the divine spear – Li Shuwen. His peerless skill was learnt by Cao Cao as well.

No Second Strike. The lion-like beast is battered into meatpaste in a blink. This is only the beginning.

Force turns into momentum as I launch myself at the Jabberwocky. The black monster raises his sword and attacks. My spear strikes the sword, and I launch myself into the air with the force.

Now, the touki pours into my spear and three copies are created. One with hand and one with foot, I throw two at the monster. Grabbing the original and the remaining copy with my two hands, I grasp the spears with a dual wield stance and descend to the earth like furious rain.

My fall is perfectly aimed. My twin spears are like meteors, aimed for the Jabberwocky's eyes. My feet are like falling leaves, homing onto the giant's head. Thrust and thrust, a perfect blinding strike.

With a savage tear, my spears tear through the giant's brains.

Jumping off the monster, I give it a look. This thing is created from mana – it is unlike the lifeforms that Annihilation Maker creates. That's why its regeneration is so fast – the mana of the world gathers to heal it. The eyes are still blinded stumps but it is functional for battle yet again.

Alright then. In the dual wield stance, I keep my distance while battering it with thrusts. Li Shuwen's style will be ineffective – it is too tanky to be taken down in few hits.

So I go for the opposite end – hundreds of hits to slowly batter it to death.

One strike. The monster screams out, it's sword cleaving through the air. It will never reach me.

Ten strikes. The monster is incapable of feeling pain, but the continuous rain of attacks will surely tear it apart.

Hundred strikes. Facing my twin spears that rain down thrusts without mercy, it can only be continuously be battered.

Overpowering strength and matchless momentum. The end of this battle isn't coming though – it regenerates again and again. But my strength isn't infinite. I'll lose when I run out of juice.

Well, it isn't bad to lose once in a while. I'll still try to kill it before it kills me. One two three, thrust thrust thrust…

And, it's gone. There isn't an ounce of force I can bring forth. Exhausted, I stare at the Jabberwocky as it attacks with its sword unable to raise my spear…

And then, an unexpected force comes forth from within me. A shining light blasts out, a power that Cao Cao never used.

A blast of light tears through the Jabberwocky and reaches the roof of the purple sky, tearing through dimensions.

And, I am back in the field with my squad. All of them surprised to see me, engrossed in watching a giant screen as they are. Oh, they were watching me fight. Hope they enjoyed the show.

"…Boss, that was great." Georg's tone is exhausted but he still smiles. On his side, Leonardo is unconscious.

They have worked hard. Well, it isn't like I was slacking off either, I brought forth all I could in that fight. But I don't look worse for the wear, healed by that energy as I am.

Mmm... I think I can contact the Longinus now, good.

Continue to QQ~~!