Durandal

* Combines ability of Excalibur fragments and allows use of each fragment (Ex-Durandal)

### Wielder(s)

Roland (Original Wielder)
Vasco Strada (Former Wielder)
Xenovia Quarta (Primary Wielder)
Kiba Yuuto (One-Time Wielder)

**Durandal** is one of the four Holy Swords forged through the means of alchemy and magic, it is said to be on par with the original Excalibur. It is the primary weapon of Xenovia Quarta who is a former member of the Occult Research Club and the current Student Council President.

## Summary

According to legend, the first owner of Durandal was the Paladin of the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne, Roland. Roland used Durandal to fight against an army of 10,000 men, showcasing his and Duranndal's immense strength.

Vasco Strada had wielded Durandal during his time as an exorcist in his youth and showcased a great mastery of Durandal reaching the original wielder, even defeating and cornering Kokabiel during World War Two.

Prior to the series, Xenovia Quarta, the current wielder of Durandal displayed difficulties using and mastering the blade compared to her predecessors.

It was later revealed that Xenovia had sent Durandal to the alchemists belonging to the Orthodox Church who found a method to suppress its great power due to her lack of control. It was later sent to Xenovia who revealed that the six fragments of Excalibur were used to form a sheath around it thus granting the blade their individual powers becoming Ex-Durandal.

Cao Cao broke Ex-Durandal using his Balance Breaker, then the six Excalibur Fragments and seventh was given to Xenovia and Irina by Le Fay to be repaired.

It was revealed that the Church created a Durandal Replica that has one-fifth of the power of the original, which was handed to Vasco Strada. In the rebellion, Xenovia became able to separate Ex-Durandal into their original forms, Durandal and the original Excalibur.

It was revealed that after receiving the techniques of the Three Factions and furthering their Holy Sword Research, the church created Durandal II, an evolution of the original Durandal so that Vasco could display his sword skill that was called a "miracle".

## Appearance

The Durandal is a large uniquely-shaped broadsword with a blue blade and a golden edge. The sword has a semicircular guard on the left side of the handle that extends to the bottom just above the pommel, with a small extension on the right side of the handle. Standing from the tip of the blade, the Durandal is slightly taller than Xenovia, surpassing the latter's height by just a few centimeters.

After being transformed into the Ex-Durandal, a large sheath surrounds the blade at all times but can be retracted to allow melee fighting.

## Abilities

Durandal is a unique sword, to the point it reacts to its wielder's temperament: for one who seeks destruction, like Xenovia, it releases a destructive aura incomparable to Excalibur Destruction; and for one who seeks precision, like Yuuto, its aura releases a quite, peaceful hum that's easier to control. However, Kiba, describes Durandal as a "wild horse that needs to be tamed", as despite being much easier to control for him, it still divided the floor right in front of him from the shockwaves alone. It was noted that Durandal's aura could be transferred to other swords such as Ascalon and Kiba's X-Side Balance Breaker, which became the basis for Ex-Durandal.

It is most famous for its sharpness, to where Vasco stated could "cut through everything", including the Power of Destruction as he sliced through Rias' One-Hit Kill, Extinguished Star using a Replica. In realizing its nature and hers, Xenovia separated Ex-Durandal into its original swords, in addition to gaining full control over Durandal by discarding all control and having it eliminate everything in its path.

## Forms

### Ex-Durandal

**Ex-Durandal** (エクスデュランダル, *Ekusu-Dyurandaru*) is Durandal upgraded from having all the Excalibur fragments fused into by the Church's alchemists, which functions as a "sheathe" that contains its aura, while combining their abilities. At first, Ex-Durandal held the individual abilites of the six Excalibur Fragments; but Since Cao Cao broke Ex-Durandal using Cakkaratana, it was repaired, and also fitted with Excalibur Ruler, granting it all Excalibur's seven abilities.

* Allows the wielder to cast illusions and manipulate dreams (Nightmare)
* Allows the wielder to transform the sword into any shape he/she desires (Mimic)
* Allows the blade and/or wielder to become invisible (Transparency)
* Grants the user and blade enhanced speed (Rapidly)
* Grants the ability to unleash overwhelming destructive force (Destruction)
* Amplify/strengthen the effects during a holy ritual (Blessing).
* Allows the user to control all things that he/she wishes (with the inclusion of Excalibur Ruler)

All the powers of Excalibur could be used either through Ex-Durandal or by separating one of the Excalibur Fragments from it, allowing Xenovia to wield two swords using both swords. As well as evolving to the point of being able to lend to others without the light factor to use them for a temporary time. She started to master all of the seven abilities of the Excalibur fragments. Yuuto has stated that if Xenovia mastered the individual seven abilities of Ex-Durandal, then Xenovia would not only surpass him but could fight against Cao Cao's Sub-Species Balance Breaker on an equal level.

After coming to terms with Durandal's true nature, Xenovia was able to separate Durandal and Excalibur into their true forms, which allowed her to return to her original dual-sword style.

### Durandal Replica

**Durandal Replica** (デュランダル・レプリカ, *Dyurandaru Repurika*) is a replica version of Durandal which was an early research of the Church into recreating Holy Swords after Ex-Durandal was repaired. The replica is noted to only contain a fifth of the original Durandal's power, though is noted that a skilled user like Vasco Strada can utilize it to the point of such a limitation being unnoticalbe.

### Durandal II

**Durandal II** (デュランダルII, *Dyurandaru II*) is an evolution of the original Durandal and the result of all the Church's Holy Sword Research so that Vasco could show his sword skills, which were called a "miracle" in the Azazel Cup. Similar to the original Durandal, its has tremendous destructive power rivaling the original, letting Vasco fight against the entire Vali Team. However, Durandal II accumulated damage from fighting Arthur, in which broke fighting against Xenovia, Irina, and Ouryuu. It was later sent to be repaired by the alchemists and was returned to Vasco Strada in True Vol 4.

## Trivia

* The chant that Xenovia performs while summoning Durandal is a reference to the legend that says that the golden hilt of the sword contains one tooth of St. Peter, blood of St. Basil, hair of St. Denis, and a piece of the raiment of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
* Durandal or Durendal is derived from the French *durer*, meaning "to last" or "to endure".
* The design of Durandal is based on the sword form of Gundam Astray Blue Frame Second L. Miyama coloured it blue to match with Xenovia's hair colour, because they associated it with the time they painted her hair blue.