Shuo led Irina and Xenovia into the Supernatural Research Club, where every member had already gathered. The moment he stepped through the door, all eyes turned his way—only to widen in surprise at the two girls clad in Church battle uniforms trailing behind him.
Rias's brow furrowed, curiosity and caution mingling in her voice. "Shuo, who are your guests?"
Shuo sprawled onto the sofa, stretching out like he owned the place. "Found them loitering outside the school gates. Turns out they're here on a mission. Since you're the local Devil lord, Rias, I figured you'd want to hear them out."
Rias nodded, her gaze sharpening as she sized up Irina and Xenovia across the room. Akeno, ever serene, poured tea with a gentle smile—though her eyes glinted with hidden amusement. Asia, upon realizing the newcomers were from the Church, shrank back nervously, her hands twisting in her lap.
But the most dramatic reaction came from Yuuto Kiba. The moment he laid eyes on the Church duo, his expression darkened. Fists clenched, jaw tight, eyes burning with old anger and barely-contained hatred.
Kiyome Abe, startled by the sudden tension, glanced around in confusion. The atmosphere in the room turned brittle, charged with unspoken history.
Rias broke the silence, her voice calm but commanding. "So, would you care to explain why Church agents are trespassing in my territory?"
Xenovia met her gaze without flinching. "I'm Xenovia, and this is my partner, Irina Shidou. We're here on official business. Our mission is urgent, and we ask that you and your Devils do not interfere."
Rias's lips curled into a cold smile. "You come uninvited, then have the nerve to issue demands? How bold."
Irina jumped in, her tone soothing, her smile disarming. "Let's not be so harsh! We really do have important work to do. Once our mission's done, we'll be out of your hair. We promise not to cause trouble—as long as you don't get in our way."
Rias's icy demeanor thawed a little. "Fine. But I need to know what you're after. Otherwise, I'll have to ask you to leave."
Xenovia and Irina exchanged a silent glance, weighing their options. Finally, Xenovia spoke.
"We're searching for the Church's lost Holy Swords."
The words dropped like a bomb.
"What? The Church lost its Holy Swords? How is that even possible?" Rias and the others—everyone except Shuo—gaped in disbelief. Holy Swords were legendary relics, supposedly guarded with absolute vigilance. Losing them was unthinkable.
Xenovia sighed, resigned. "Here's the story. Not long ago, three Holy Swords were stolen by a Fallen Angel cadre. He's hiding somewhere in Kuoh Town. Our mission is to defeat him and recover the swords."
Akeno leaned in, curiosity piqued. "Who could possibly have the power to steal Holy Swords from the Church?"
"Kokabiel," Xenovia replied without hesitation. "He led the raid."
The name sent a chill through the room. Rias and Akeno both stiffened, faces pale.
"Kokabiel… It's him?" Rias whispered.
Asia and Kiyome, unfamiliar with the name, looked puzzled. "Is Kokabiel really that dangerous?"
Shuo, still lounging on the sofa, chimed in. "He's a high-ranking Fallen Angel, ten black wings. Survived the last war between Devils, Angels, and Fallen Angels—fought against Maou and God, and lived to tell the tale. His strength? Easily Satan-Class."
He glanced at Rias and her team. "Even with your recent power-ups, facing someone like Kokabiel… Let's just say, the odds aren't in your favor."
Kiyome's eyes widened. "No way! Even with everyone working together, you couldn't beat him?"
Rias and Akeno managed wry smiles. "Ara ara, Kiyome-chan, we've gotten stronger, yes. But against a Satan-Class monster like Kokabiel? We'd be lucky to last more than a few moves."
Shuo shifted gears, turning to Xenovia and Irina. "By the way, Xenovia, that's a Holy Sword you're carrying, right? Both of you are sword wielders. I can sense multiple sword auras coming off you."
Both girls stared at him, genuinely surprised.
"A human who hangs around Devils, and you can sense our Holy Swords—even when they're hidden in dimensional storage? You're no ordinary person."
Xenovia unwrapped the white cloth from her sword, revealing the blade. Instantly, the room was flooded with searing holy light. Every Devil present recoiled, discomfort etched on their faces—the Holy Sword's radiance was a natural bane to their kind.
"This is the King's Sword—Durandal, the Holy Sword of Destruction," Xenovia announced.
Irina followed suit, peeling away the bandages from her wrist. In a flash, the cloth transformed into a gleaming, sacred blade.
Yuuto Kiba's reaction was visceral. His eyes blazed with hatred, his body trembling as he fought to suppress a surge of murderous intent.
Shuo stepped in, voice firm but gentle. "Easy, Kiba."
Yuuto sucked in a shaky breath, forcing himself to calm down. "Thanks, Shuo. If you hadn't stopped me, I might've done something stupid—and caused real trouble for President Rias."
He wasn't angry at the girls themselves, but at the swords they wielded—the same kind that haunted his past.
With Yuuto back under control, the tension in the room eased. Rias and the others exchanged relieved glances, silently grateful a disaster had been averted.
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