It was a new day in Kuoh Town. The early morning lights flickered over the streets. As it was early morning, most people were still at their homes, preparing for work, with only those who had to travel lengthy distances out and about.
Everything seemed to have a rather peaceful appearance, but there was an undercurrent of tension lingering, the scent of otherworldly presences drifting faintly in the air.
Amongst all of this were Neuvillette and Gabriel, walking side by side throughout the streets together, disguised under the veil of 'ordinary humans.'
As for Neuvillette, his long silver hair was magically dyed black and tucked beneath a charcoal hood, whilst his icy-blue eyes were magically changed to be brown.
As for Gabriel, her golden curls were dyed brunette, and it was curled into a simple bob, amber contacts replacing her own original eyecolor.
As for her, she wore a luscious blue dress with floral patters for its design, and a luxury scarf wrapped around her neck.
"Khmm," Gabriel feigned a cough, tugging at her scarf, "This is weird. You can't tell me you always dress like this when you're not working?"
Neuvillette didn't flinch, not bothering to tell her that this was the first time he'd changed his outfit since he can remember. He had no need to after all, as he could always magically clean himself.
"Stealth is key. No glowing wings, no silver hair. Just two ordinary people investigating a disturbance. We can't get found out, remember?" Neuvillette said with a straight face.
Gabriel meanwhile rolled her eyes after hearing this, "Ordinary? Even with all these changes you look anything but ordinary. Too handsome."
Gabriel said, looking at him up and down but not spotting a reaction, sighing as she took another taste at the plastic cup of pudding in her hand, "Have you tasted their convenience‑store pudding yet? It's downright sinful. These humans keep coming up with new cool stuff."
"Focus," Neuvillette replied, voice low but firm, "We are here to find the Fallen Angels. We must follow the trail."
"Ugh, you're so boring. We're here, amongst the humans, incognito, can't you have any fun?" She responded with a fake pout.
"I'll have fun after we catch these people." He replied.
Gabriel grinned as she heard that, " Well then, lead the way, Judge."
The two of them continued walking, eventually arriving nearby a breakfast stall selling freshly made ramen. Gabriel went and ordered a cup for herself, savoring the taste whilst Neuvillette used his senses to see if he could find anything.
Eventually, he picked up on something else, inhaling thoughtfully.
"Scent of residual Mana," he murmured, "Strong. Likely stray devils or lesser demons recently here. The Fallen Angels may have been preying on them." He said.
"You~NOM NOM~You really smelled that? NOM NOM!" Gabriel said while chowing down on her ramen.
"Don't speak while you're eating." Neuvillette said and Gabriel nodded, quickly finishing the ramen and throwing the box in the bin.
Once she was done with that, she looked back to Neuvillette and said, "You smell magic the way I smell, what did you call it, convenience‑store pudding? Your senses have always been better than mine."
He let out an almost amused sigh, "That's because even after all these years you've never particularly bothered practicing them to the extreme. When tracking mana, focus on concentration and decay. It doesn't smell like dessert."
"Fine, Mr. Serious," she teased. "Let's go."
They walked around for a while before turned into a quiet alley where Neuvillette's senses led him.
Gabriel's eyes jumped to half‑shattered posters, advertisements for spiritual services, charmed charms. Beneath one, a faint shimmer: a warded symbol, now broken.
"Looks like someone forcibly dismantled it," Neuvillette noted. "Positive mana residual, but the wards failed, intentional."
Gabriel arched an eyebrow,"You mean the Fallen Angels took it down? Maybe they just wanted to redecorate."
Neuvillette didn't smile, "They are hiding. They move in darkness. But they won't stay silent forever."
Gabriel nudged him playfully. "Don't be such a cold puddle of seriousness." She paused, sniffing again. "But, fine. Path next?"
He traced a faint energy‑trail using his senses, "Towards the old church, past the canal."
Gabriel whipped around dramatically,"The very church. You could've just said that."
Neuvillette smiled, quiet, controlled. "Sometimes the answer is obvious."
They turned down the canal path. The water glowed softly under lantern light. The air grew colder; every splash echoed sharply. Gabriel shivered.
Her tone softened as she spoke, "The mornings here are really peaceful. Makes me wish Heaven had streets like this."
Neuvillette glanced at her, "You don't miss Heaven?"
She tucked a strand of auburn hair behind her ear, "Sometimes. But right now… I'm enjoying the anonymity. No expectations. Just me… and you."
He nodded, then abruptly straightened, "We're close."
They emerged before the old abandoned church, same location where Raynare and company lurked. The massive wooden doors were shut, though soft chanting slithered through cracks. Faint flickers of white candles.
The air was wrong, heavy with suppressed power.
Gabriel's lips curved. "Here we are. The haunted church."
Neuvillette stepped forward. "Stay close."
He traced a sigil across the doorframe, enchantment to deactivate passive wards blocking eavesdropping. The door creaked open.
Inside, rows of empty pews lined the hall. Now lit by ritual candles. Faint silhouettes moved near the altar—figures hunched over ominous symbols.
Neuvillette halted, raising a finger. "We observe. No engagement yet."
Gabriel was ready, fists clenched. "I'm not so patient."
Neuvillette held up a hand. "Patience."
They crouched behind a broken pew. Gabriel inched forward, peeking around. "It's definitely them, Raynare, Kalawarna,–Mittelt too. And that Dohnaseek fellow. Also, there's a girl there, hang on, is she from the Church, I sense a holy presence from her."
Neuvillette's eyes cooled, "Maybe, we need to confirm who she is before any action taken."
Gabriel frowned, biting her lip. "You're serious. No restraining them now?"
He gave a small nod. "They can't escape anywhere, I've already silently branded them with my sigils. Now, I think it's time we find out who that girl with the holy presence is, and and then take them down."
"Well how are we gonna find out who she is?" Gabriel asked, and Neuvillette gently bonked her head with his fist, "OW!" she responded.
"There's a group of verified devils running this town, surely one of them know who she is." He said and a lightbulb appeared in Gabriel's mind, "Ah, the Gremory and Sitri girls."
"Let's go meet them." Neuvillette said and the duo walked off.