Kuoh Town: April 28, XXXX

3rd POV

It's been a few weeks, close to a month, after the events of that night. It was still fresh in Issei's mind, but the fact that nothing other than an introduction and an awkward dinner happened was a relief. Y/n had arrived soon after the dinner was over and came to pick the twins up. He greeted Issei's parents with politeness and even though his personality was weird, they saw he had nothing but good intentions.

Before the dinner had taken place, however, Sostà and Aristerà, the twin Ambassadors of Heaven, informed Issei that they were going to keep an eye on him and that future events were going to happen now that he was growing in strength. Y/n didn't mention anything when he had took them away for the night, but Issei felt the constant gaze his teacher had on him.

Issei didn't know how to process any of that, but they simply told him to continue living like normal and that they, including Y/n, would take care of it as best as they could. He had yet to see the twins ever since that night, but he had woken up in cold sweat from nightmares of their blades on his neck.

Aside from that, Issei had grown used to his new teacher, Y/n, over the past few days and found out that once you got to know him and actually speak to him, he was fun and interesting to hang out with. Of course, they had to keep it professional since they only spoke during school, but Issei and many others found themselves going to his classroom for lunch.

They would eat, hang out, or simply watch Y/n write in that book of his that he never seemed to tear his eyes away from once he started writing. Several of the Devil students, mostly the student council, had asked him about it and tried to fish out some information about his personal life without him knowing. Sadly, their attempts were futile since their teacher didn't really speak much unless it was during lessons.

Issei didn't know how to feel about the Devils in his class, at first he was wary of them and was disturbed with how much they tried to squeeze personal information out of their teacher. After about a week passed, Issei found himself being associated with a few of them simply because they finally stopped acting weird and rude to their teacher, and finally started acting like normal high school students.

Nonetheless, the calm and quiet atmosphere of Y/n's classroom was alluring to anyone who wanted some alone time to study or hang out with a few friends. Which brings us to the situation now with Issei and the group he was currently with.

Issei: "..."

Matsuda: "..."

Motohama: "..."

Akeno: "..."

Gasper: "..."

Koneko: "..."

Aika: "..."

Rina: "..."

The group was currently sitting in a circle of desks that they had rearranged for their time here. Y/n sat on top of one of the desks as he watched them all while still writing in his book. In the center of their circle of desks was another desk with cards on top. Some of which were stacked crudely and faced up while another was neatly stacked faced down.

Everyone had a look of concentration as they hid the cards in their hands away from the rest. At the moment, Issei was the one with the lowest amount of cards at around 2 of them, while Rina had the highest of around 8. Though that quickly changed when Issei quickly placed one of the two cards down and laughed loudly.

Issei: "Uno!"

All at once, the rest of them groaned in annoyance since this was the third time he was on his last card, though he only won twice out of the five games so far. Issei grinned at them as he couldn't help but laugh at how much they were terrible at the game. The only worthy foes that he considered to be wary of was Aika and Motohama and their bullshit analytical prowess, something he still can't figure out if it's actually Magic or simply a natural ability they had.

Koneko: "You're cheating, Senpai."

His kouhai stated as she slightly glared at him from across the desks. Issei raised an eyebrow at her before shrugging his shoulders with a smug grin.

Issei: "Sure, sure, whatever let's you sleep at night."

Koneko frowned a bit as she stared intently at her own cards. She only had four of them left but each were a different color. Her "plus two" card was useless since she wasn't anywhere near him. She was about to slump in defeat before she noticed Gasper's cards next to her and saw that he also had a "plus two". That caused something to clicked in her mind before she turned to Aika, who was next to her, and whispered in her ear.

Rina tried her best to keep her composure to avoid ripping her hair out. Akeno frowned at her own cards before taking a peak at Gasper's cards which were barely concealed by his hands. She saw that he had a "plus two", something she also had. Akeno then noticed Koneko looking at her from the corners of her eye as she whispered to Aika. It was then that Akeno knew what was happening and she could barely keep her giggling down as she got her cards ready.

Motohama and Matsuda glared at Issei before exchanging looks and formulating a plan, one not too different than what was happening on the girls' side. Gasper, on the other hand, was barely paying attention as he worryingly glanced back and forth between the blue 'two' card that Issei put down and his own cards which were not blue.

Gasper: 'O-Oh no! W-What do I do?! I d-don't have that color!'

Sadly, his worry was for naught...because Gasper was too caught up in his thoughts to notice that he had a matching 'two' card.

All of this was going on while Issei smiled to himself as he already proclaimed himself victorious in his head. Ddraig sighed as he didn't understand how Issei was letting them plan his demise right under his nose.

He simply chalked this up as another lesson for his host to learn:You have never truly won until your enemies are wiped from existence.

Though that was in correlation with Dragons and not Humans. Of course, Ddraig wasn't expecting Issei follow that lesson down to the letter, he had already seen it happen with several of his past hosts and he didn't feel like he particularly wanted to change hosts this quick. Back then Ddraig was more prone to acting on impulses and rage. Now however, he was far from the selfish and idiotic Dragon that he used to be.

Still, it wouldn't hurt for Issei to be more aware of his surroundings and the schemes that were currently going on. Though it was just a game after all.

As Issei amused himself in his "victory", he noticed how eerily quiet the room had became. He slowly looked around the room as saw everyone looking at him with unamused looks except for Gasper who was still stressing over his cards.

Aika: "You done jerking yourself off, yet?"

Issei blushed a little as he cleared his throat in embarrassment before nodding his head. Matsuda's turn then went as he placed his "plus two" card, which was followed by Motohama. Issei started grinning as he could imagine the despair of whoever was going to receive that.

But his grin slowly started to turn to flat and then turned to a look of crushed hopes as he saw Akeno place another "plus two". Then Gasper, after he received some help from Koneko. Then Koneko herself. Then Aika. Then finally it was Rina's turn.

Issei had his mouthed opened in shock as he glanced around the room everyone, with the exception of Gasper, was giving him shit-eating grins. That's when it clicked, he just got played by everyone in the room. Issei turned his head and gave pleading looks to the red-head next to him.

Issei: "H-Hey! G-Gushina-senpai, you d-don't have to do this!"

Matsuda: "Hey, don't try that now!"

Motohama: "Yeah! I don't remember you showing any mercy when you hit me with that 'plus four'!"

Issei turned and gave them a glare before turning back to Rina with pleading eyes. Akeno covered her mouth with her hand to hide the sadistic smile she had. She was enjoying what was happening in front of her maybe a little too much, something Koneko noticed and got ready to cover Gasper's ears if she said anything explicit. Rina looked at Issei directly into his eyes.

Issei: "Please, Gushina-senpai! I'll do anything!"

Aika: "As interesting as that sounds, you better suck it up and just take this massive load coming your way."

Issei: "Oi! Don't phrase it like that!"

Akeno: "Ara Ara?~ Hyoudou-kun I wonder what you could thinking about?~ Were you imagining us filling you up to the brim?~"

Issei: "Don't you 'Ara Ara' me, woman! And stay away from any of my holes!"

Gasper looked confusingly at Koneko as he silently questioned her on why she was covering his ears. Koneko shook her head at him before he got the message and simply sat silently. Motohama and Matsuda did the right thing and kept to themselves. This was something they didn't want to be a part of at the moment.

Rina coughed into her hand and got everyone's attention. Though before she could speak, a knocking sound coming from behind the group caused them to turn around. Once Y/n got their attention by knocking on the desk he was sitting on, he held up a finger as he pointed to the clock above the blackboard.

Y/n: "Kiryuu-san, Yujiro-san, Kenji-san, it is time for you to head to class."

He stoically spoke to them, something they all had grown used to, as the bell suddenly rang to notify them that the last period of the day was starting. Aika's, Motohama's, and Matsuda's eyes widened at the same time as they realized how engrossed in the game they were as they had forgotten to leave on time.

Matsuda: "Oh shit! We gotta go!"

Motohama: "Oh no, don't we have a test next class?!"

Both of them exclaimed as they looked at each other in horror. They then got the same idea as they both turned to the direction of where Aika was siting.

Both: "Aika! Can we borrow your—!"

They stopped mid-sentence when they noticed Aika and her school bag gone. The sound of the classroom door violently open caused everyone to turn to it. Aika stood while holding the door open and her bag on her shoulders before she turned and bowed at Y/n.

Aika: "Thank you, L/n-sensei, for letting us be here for lunch like always!"

After thanking the teacher, she stood back up straight and then noticed the desperate looks from Matsuda and Motohama. Rina looked back and forth between them before she shouted at Aika.

Rina: "Nigerundayo, Kiryuu-san!"

In the next second Aika vanished as she frantically ran to her class. Matsuda and Motohama scrambled to get their school bags to chase after her. Though before they left, they gave a quick bow to Y/n.

Both: "Thank you, L/n-sensei!"

They then left in a hurry to chase after her in hopes of being able to peak at her notes before the test. Once the door closed, Akeno and Koneko grabbed the cards they left behind and put them under the pile. They still had time left before class really began so they continued their game, and much to Issei's despair as it was still Rina's turn.

Y/n: "Clean up in five minutes."

Y/n told them as he walked to the podium and pulled out his binder for today's lesson. The others gave their acknowledgment before resuming their game. There was a difference in the atmosphere, however, compared to when Aika and the other two were here.

Issei: "Oi, Gushina-senpai, you really don't have to do this."

He begged once more. Rina looked at him with her blue eyes that softened a bit when he looked at her. Issei looked at her with hope in his eyes, that suddenly turned to despair as he noticed her emitting some of her demonic aura.

The others sighed as they knew what was about to happen. They knew how their friend was and how much Japanese culture influenced her. Y/n barely paid attention to the increase of her aura and continued looking through his binder.

Issei remembered the first time Rina acted like this and emitted her aura and he remembered how he thought he was going to be attacked. Although Ddraig told him not to worry and Y/n didn't react, it still had Issei on edge when it happened.

Of course, now that he got to know her better, he realized that he was worried for nothing...

Rina's eyes turned sharp as her aura caused the room to darken and the outline of her power to become visible around her. Rina then smiled a devilish smile before she suddenly stood up struck a pose with one of her cards in-between her middle and index finger. It covered one of her eyes as her other visible eye glowed red.

...because if you haven't figured it out yet, Gushina Rina, President of the Manga Club, is a otaku/chunnibyou.

Rina: "Hah! Your pleas and begging won't sway me as they are all for naught, mortal! For you have activated my trap card!"

She turned the card to reveal a "plus two" as her eye flashed red brightly. Koneko rolled her eyes and started to clean up the cards since she knew that her President would take it too far and waste the rest of the five minutes they had. Gasper watched on in fascination, causing Akeno to smile in amusement as she helped Koneko.

Rina: "Plus Two! A card that adds two cards into your hand! But with a hidden ability, it's effect is multiplied by the number of cards of the same name that were played consecutively before the turn it is played!"

Issei rolled his eyes before he decided to play along with her since it was kinda fun sometimes.

Issei: "No! Impossible! The possibility of this happening is nearly 0%!"

Rina grinned even more.

Rina: "Of course! But that is from the understanding of a mortal such as yourself! I, on the other hand, can bypass the laws of the world as a Servant of Darkness!"

She then twirled around before spreading both hands out.

Rina: "But there is more!"

Issei: "M-More?! What could you possibly have that could make my life even more torturous?!"

She giggled darkly before turning sideways and posing again, but this time with her other hand up. She then did some type of magic trick to get two cards in between her fingers.

Rina: "I have not one 'Plus Two' but two 'Plus Two's!"

She then flipped the cards and made them travel through finger by finger, which Issei and Gasper thought was cool, and then revealed them.

Gasper: "OOOOOOHHHH! So cool, Senpai!"

Issei: "GUH! This can't be! What else could you possibly have up your sleeves?!"

It was Issei's comment that suddenly made Rina flinch and look around the room with a sheepish smile. Issei noticed this before he looked at her questioningly.

Issei: "What's wrong, Gushina-senpai?"

Rina: "E-Eh? O-Oh, nothing...n-nothing at all, ehehe."

Issei looked at her confused before he noticed something fall out of her other sleeve. Rina noticed his gaze before she quickly picked it up but not before Issei realized it was a card that she must've kept in her sleeve.

Issei: "Oi! You cheated!"

She then blushed red as she frantically looked around for help, none of which she got.

Rina: "W-Whatever could you talking about?! I-I merely called upon the forces of darkness to influence the world to my favor!"

Koneko walked past him while shaking her head before taking the cards from Rina. She then put the cards away and then turned to give Issei a small barely noticeable smug smile.

Koneko: "Whatever let's you sleep at night, Senpai."

Issei gave her a flat look before sighing and then helping them reorganize the desks. After a few minutes passed, Souna and the rest of the student council arrived and took their seats. It was at this point that Issei realized that Irina wasn't around.

Just as he was about to text her to ask where she was, the front door of the classroom opened and Irina appeared with a girl he didn't know right behind her.

Irina: "S-Sorry we're late! I was just showing a new student around."

Irina stepped into class as Y/n looked at her and then the student next to her.

Y/n: "You are excused Shidou-san. Please take a seat."

She nodded her head before taking a seat next to Issei. The girl that was following her simply stood awkwardly in front of the class and would occasionally glance at Y/n before looking away.

Almost as if she was scared.

Before anyone in the class could question it, Y/n spoke.

Y/n: "Introduce yourself to your peers..."

She nodded her head slightly before turning to face the class.

Girl: "M-My name is Amuno Yuuma. I just moved into Japan with my father and his co-workers. I'm still new to Japan, so I hope we can get along!"

She bowed her head before standing up straight with a friendly smile. It was then that Issei got a good look at her.

Much like many others in this school, she was beautiful. Her raven-black hair that gave off a calm and alluring feeling as it swayed in the air was mesmerizing. Her pink eyes that paired well with the smile on her face to give this look of innocence and beauty. Issei didn't believe in love at first sight, but he couldn't lie and say he wasn't interested in the new student. But no matter how much he was attracted to her, he couldn't ignore the one thing making him wary of ever pursuing her affection.

The tainted aura that she emitted.

Everyone in the classroom, with the exception of Irina, were on edge. Issei couldn't blame them because even if her presence was tainted, it was still of Holy nature.

If Issei were to compare it to the likes of Sostà and Aristerà, it would be like comparing the waters of a crystal clear lake to that of a murky swamp. Clear or unclear, water was still water in both lakes. With the Holiness that radiated off of the Angels he shortly met, Issei could feel the similarities in the girl at the blackboard through that tainted feeling.

There were many questions going on in Issei's head.

What was a Fallen Angel doing here?

What's her hidden agenda?

Does she have ill-willed intentions?

How will she react to the rest of the Devils here?

The other Devils were thinking the same thing as they kept her in their sights. Possibly the only reason why none of them acted out was because Yuuma, herself, was not reacting to a room full of Devils.

A silence laid upon the classroom as no one said a word or reacted to Yuuma's introduction. The smile she had twitched a bit as she embarrassingly laughed to herself. Yuuma's eyes glanced around the room which was a clear indication of how uncomfortable she must be feeling.

Y/n: "...You can take a seat now."

Their teacher spoke when the silence was becoming overwhelming. Though his voice caused her to flinch.

Yuuma: "E-Eh? Oh, right!"

She stuttered as she glanced around for an empty seat before noticing one near Irina. She quickly made her way through the desks and sat down next to her only friend without looking at anyone else. Irina immediately began whispering to her while Issei watched from the side.

Riser, the wannabe delinquent, showed up late to class like usual. Y/n barely paid him any mind and merely wrote him up. He would send it to the faculty later.

Issei ignored the rude remarks of Riser as he walked by his desk. But when he heard Riser make a comment under his breath about "Fallen Trash", he turned and looked at him and Yuuma. Yuuma didn't show any indication that she heard him, but Issei swore he saw her expression sadden. It was quickly covered up by a smile she directed to Irina, but as she turned they made eye contact. Issei wanted to look away since he didn't want to be seen as a creep by the new student, but he found himself mesmerized by her eyes. The same could've been said for Yuuma, as she stared at him just like he did to her.

Their staring contest was interrupted when Y/n started the lesson with an opening question.

Throughout the class period, Issei's thoughts were plagued by questions that he had no answers to. He didn't know what to think of the situation, it was simply too much to process at the moment. One month was all it took for his life to have changed multiple times already.

The one question that kept repeating in Issei's mind was whether or not becoming stronger was worth those changes.


3rd POV (Italy, Europe)

Sitting in a room were two young women. One had long golden blonde hair, paired with her innocent green eyes, gave off a feeling of naivety and innocence. The other woman had short blue hair with a streak of green on one of her bangs. The blonde girl was wearing a nun outfit while she sipped some tea with a smile on her face. The other woman simply fastened the bindings on her sword that was almost as tall as her entire height.

Blonde Girl: "Are you excited, Xenovia? This will be our first time leaving the Church grounds, to a different country no less!"

She spoke in Italian excitingly and reminded the woman, Xenovia, of a puppy with how cute she looked. But contrast to the blonde girl's excitement, Xenovia kept a straight face while putting her sword down.

Xenovia: "Excited? Hardly. This is merely an endeavor by the Church, Asia. We aren't going there to waste our time."

The blonde girl, Asia, didn't mind Xenovia's bluntness and cold dismissal. She had grown used to her rather bold and straightforward personality.

Asia: "But nonetheless it wouldn't hurt to go sightseeing while we are there! Oh, I can already imagine! Cherry Blossom Trees, the food, the ocean, the parks. OH! And even school! "

Xenovia didn't comment any further as she sighed while grabbing her cup of tea and taking a sip. Her eyebrows furrowed down as she tasted more water than tea, but then again being a member of the Church required them to be minimalists. This was simply in order to reduce the chances of them committing sins, none of which Xenovia cared about.

For some time, Xenovia merely entertained the glowing bundle of innocence that was Asia as she continued to discuss all the things she wished to try and see. They were heading to Japan by request of the Church in order to search and retrieve stolen artifacts that were rumored to be in a city called Kuoh.

Xenovia didn't know much and didn't try to know about the history involving the town and the Biblical Factions. As an exorcist, all she needed to know was how to wield a sword and how to use Holy Prayers for exterminating strays.

In the back of her mind, she envied Asia and her excitement for pleasures and excellencies. Xenovia hid her thoughts and emotions well with her blank poker-face. Something she was glad to had learned from a young age.

Asia's excitement finally died down when the door to their little room was opened and a cleric man came in.

"Ms. Argento, Ms. Quarta, your presence is being requested in the audience room."

The cleric spoke emotionlessly while Asia and Xenovia nodded their heads. After waiting for Asia to clean up the tea-set, they followed behind the man as he led them down the corridor. The brick gray walls gave monotone mood while the clicking of their shoes that echoed around them gave them the sense of loneliness. Something Asia and Xenovia grew to dislike in their time here.

It reminded them too much of the Orphanage they grew up in that was later destroyed and burned down due to its connections to the Devils.

Another couple of minutes of walking had them right in front of a set of doors that led them to audience chamber. The cleric silently opened the door for them and patiently waited for them to walk in. The door closed behind them as Asia and Xenovia slowly made their way inside the room.

Candles lit the perimeter of the room with the colored-glass windows illumination small portions of the ceiling. At the end of the room were a total of nine podiums with nine people on them. Each of them wore white robes outlined by gold as it glittered off the light that shone down on them.

Once they were close enough to be surrounded by the podiums that they stood behind, Asia and Xenovia both were able to see who they were in audience for. All nine Archbishops of the Church gazed at them with analytical eyes. Asia felt herself become nervous while Xenovia simply ignored them.

They then kneeled with their heads low as they showed their respect to them. After being satisfied with their actions, the Head Archbishop grunted a sound of approval before another spoke.

Second: "Raise your heads, Children of the Church."

The Second Archbishop spoke with a deep and wide voice. Following his order, Asia and Xenovia raised their heads upward to gaze at them. It was then that Xenovia noticed another person standing at the side of the audience chamber with the sound of scribbling coming from them.

She didn't turn her head but instead shifted her eyes in that direction and found a person with a female physique standing in the dark gazing back at her. Those violet eyes shone in the dark and made her wonder how she hadn't noticed them before. Even when they made eye contact, the scribbling didn't stop as she could vaguely see a feather moving in their hand as it wrote in a large book.

The Archbishops must've noticed that her attention was elsewhere when another spoke.

Fifth: "Do not mind it. It does not have ill-intentions nor will it ever."

First: "Indeed. Be at ease exorcist, for it is merely a Watcher."

Asia finally noticed and followed Xenovia's line of sight before she spotted the Watcher. The Watcher's eyes then laid upon her as Asia offered a small wave and smile. At first Asia was disheartened when they didn't respond, but she soon had a full blown smile when she saw the tiniest of nods that the Watcher gave.

None of the Archbishops reprimanded her or said anything as they continued. The middle Archbishop, who was on the highest podium, waved his hand to someone behind Asia and Xenovia. The sound of the doors opening brought Xenovia and Asia to attention as they tried to resist looking back.

The clicking of multiple shoes on the cold ground let them know that the people that entered were either exorcists or of higher position. Still kneeling, Xenovia had to resist the urge to flinch when she saw who it was that walked by and kneeled right next to her as well as Asia.

No doubt, the woman with an angelic beauty had blonde hair and was wearing a nun outfit was Griselda Quarta, Xenovia's mentor and adoptive mother. Griselda must've noticed Xenovia's stiff posture as she gave a small reassuring smile that did little to help her relax.

The other woman that kneeled on the other side of Asia had orangish long hair that was braided to the side and kept hidden by her nun clothing. Asia's smile beamed even more when she noticed it was Ayla Shidou, a fellow mentor and mother of a friend they knew from one of the Churches in England. Ayla offered a kind smile before bowing her head much like Griselda.

Off to the side two more people had kneeled, but they were a few feet away from the four of them. A clear difference between the two groups as the two individuals had an atmosphere of coldness and dread. They were also wearing cloaks that hid their faces and clothing from all.

Silence was what was present aside from the constant scribbling from the Watcher that remained ever constant in the background. Neither of the four that entered acknowledged the Watched and instead waited for the Archbishops to give them permission to raise their heads.

After a moment, it had came.

Once they had matched the posture of Asia and Xenovia, the Ninth Archbishop took a breathe as his eyes glanced repeatedly to the Watcher.

Was it fear? Caution? Discomfort?

No. It was frustration.

The Archbishop's mind was on full drive as he tried to come up with a method to salvage the situation. But in the end, he couldn't with him being under constant surveillance.

Ninth: "Lady Griselda, Lady Ayla, we called upon you and these two children of the Church for a commission of great importance."

The other Archbishops nodded their heads in agreement.

Fourth: "It is of great shame that we must announce that several Holy Swords under the possession of the Church were stolen."

Third: "Our connections had led us to believe that a being of Demonic origin had tempted the followers of the Church that night with honeyed words and false promises, and convinced them to slip the location of said Swords."

Seventh: "Said individuals have already been dealt with, we are merely tasking you with retrieving and punishing whoever is in possession of the artifacts."

Griselda and Ayla nodded their heads while everyone else stayed quiet. The closest Archbishop, the First, waved his hand for Griselda to get closer. She stood up and walked in his direction before grabbing a scroll he had stretched out for her. Griselda then walked back, not even looking at the scroll in her hands, before kneeling once again.

Ninth: "It is vital that you retrieve these artifacts before they cause harm to the innocent."

Eight: "For now, that will be all. May the Lord watch over your endeavors. Amen."

"Amen."

They all repeated before Griselda, Ayla, Asia, and Xenovia stood up and left. Ayla and Xenovia both eyed the two cloaked individuals as they walked pasted them. They got bad vibes from them and it seemed like something almost sinister.

Griselda: "Do not do anything foolish."

She spoke in a low voice just enough for them to hear. Xenovia's grip on the handle of her sword tightened before she let go. Ayla merely gave Griselda an innocent closed smile.

Ayla: "Whatever do you mean, Griselda?~"

They both eyed each other before Griselda relented and continued walking. Asia didn't understand what was going on between them but she didn't want to seem rude for being nosy so she kept to herself. Though before they left, Asia waved a goodbye to the Watcher, causing them to stop writing before waving back with the feather. Asia smiled before she respectfully closed the door on her way out, something she doubted Xenovia could do without making a loud noise.

The audience chamber was silent once again as the Watcher resumed writing. The cloaked figures didn't bother bowing their heads as they simply kneeled and awaited for whatever they were called for.

Third: "Excellent work on dealing with the traitors."

Sixth: "Indeed, your work has been beneficial to the infrastructure of the Church."

Eighth: "Though we are saddened to say that we have another task for you."

One of the cloaked figures scoffed in annoyance as he was starting to get pissed off by their attitude towards them.

Cloaked #1: "Get on with it then! Or do you wanna continue jerking us off?!"

The man underneath the cloak spoke with a voice full of crudeness. The Archbishops hid their displeasure well, but nonetheless, they wouldn't tolerate such disrespect.

First: "I would watch your tone."

Ninth: "Need we remind you that your behavior is only tolerated due to your usefulness."

Cloaked #2: "And need we remind you that we can freely walk out of this room without any of you stopping us?"

The Archbishops remained silent after that remark. The Watcher didn't say anything, her eyes merely gazed at the two of them before her attention went to the Archbishops. The ninth Archbishop noticed the Watcher's gaze as he nervously glanced back and forth.

Ninth: "Your task is written here."

He spoke neutrally before he pulled out another scroll and tossed it down at them. The second cloaked figure caught it with ease before putting it away.

Seventh: "Now leave."

The seventh spoke with barely a hint of hostility. The first cloaked man stood up before shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly.

Cloaked #1: "What? No 'May the Lord watch over you'?"

None of them said anything as the second cloaked individual stood up and started walking away.

Cloaked #1: "Favoritism at its finest. Well, I'll do one for you. Fuck you, Amen."

He flipped them off before following the other individual out the chamber. The Archbishops didn't say anything but merely walked off their podiums and out through the back. All of them except the Ninth who still stood on his.

Once the door closed, the Watcher walked to the center of the room as the light shined down on them. Their white hair was paired with the white cleric clothing they wore. They had the physique of a woman in her twenties with her mature figure. The Archbishop couldn't admire her body before his eyes locked on to hers.

Those eyes that were devoid of the life that every living thing created by God should have.

The Watcher didn't say anything as they closed the book they had causing it and the feather in her hands to fade away in molts of light. She then turned around and walked away.

The Ninth Archbishop didn't say anything.

Not because he was overtaken by her beauty.

Not because he was awestruck by angelic presence.

Not because he was scared of her, or of them.

No.

It was because he couldn't...for he was already dead.

The Watcher walked out of the room, and as the door closed the head of the Ninth Archbishop fell off his body as it tumbled down onto the floor along with his body.

Kuoh Town

3rd POV

Issei walked across the bridge in front of the school that led to the direction of his home. He had barely paid attention to Y/n's lesson and for that he got punished with homework assignments. Though it wasn't his fault, he had too much to think about.

Beside Issei was Irina and Yuuma, they had both proposed to walk Yuuma home since she was new here. Yuuma had gladly accepted their offer, which Irina was happy about. Issei only really stuck around because he was scared of what would happen to Irina.

As the trio walked along the road to the residential area, Issei took several peaks and glances at the new girl. He couldn't help himself but admire her beauty and alluring presence. Irina seemed to have noticed his sudden attraction as she would occasionally bring him into the conversation, even when he would have like it if she didn't.

Irina: "Hey, before I go, can we exchange numbers?"

They had reached the park where Issei and Irina would usually split to leave for their homes. Nobody was present at the moment, which was kind of eerie for Issei's taste. But he chalked it up to him being overly paranoid.

Yuuma: "Uh, sure! If you want it then I'm okay with that."

She dug into her bag before bringing out her purple flip phone. Irina happily brought her own phone out and they soon exchanged numbers. Issei watched from the side before giving Irina a hug as she left.

Irina: "I'll text you later!"

Yuuma giggled a bit from her over-energetic attitude before she turned and noticed Issei still standing with her. Issei scratched the back of his neck as he nervously stood there.

Issei: "Would you like me to walk you all the way home? Or is it already goodbye?"

She smiled at him before shaking her head.

Yuuma: "It's fine. I can walk myself home from here."

Issei nodded before turning around and heading home. Though he was stopped when he felt someone grab the sleeve of his uniform. He turned around and faced Yuuma who was fidgeting and looking around nervously.

Yuuma: "U-Umm, so like. I already exchanged numbers with Irina. And I was wondering if you would like to as well?"

Issei's mind blanked a bit before he played it off as he nodded.

Issei: "Sure, sure. I wouldn't mind. And hey, if you need someone to show you around you can call me and I would gladly help."

She smiled before she happily brought her phone out. Issei did the same and soon they had each other's numbers in their contacts.

Yuuma: "Then if it wouldn't be any trouble, could you show me around on Sunday?"

Issei: "Sunday? Sure, just text me the time and I'll show up."

Yuuma nodded as she waved him goodbye and left. Issei slowly walked to his home as he couldn't really think straight. First he became a student with Devils as classmates. Then he became friends with them. Then a Fallen Angel transfer in a few weeks after school started. Then he befriended her and now he's going on a date with her this Sunday.

Issei stopped mid-walk after that last thought.

Issei: 'Date? Is this really a date?'

He nervously thought about it before the images of Yuuma being nervous and acting weird around him floated in his mind. Issei quickly shook his head as he continued his walk.

Issei: 'Don't be a dumbass! I'm just showing her around. And besides, she could probably be leading me on or I'm just misreading and overthinking.'

He sighed tiredly as he headed home.

Issei: 'Maybe a long night of sleep will help.'

Kuoh: Church on the Hill

Y/n's POV

I opened my eyes as the events within the Church transferred into my mind. I stopped writing and dismissed the book to the Library for Dèfteros to analyze.

"Are you alright Y/n-sama?"

A male voice caused me to look at the man sitting across from me. He had short brown hair along with brown eyes that were emphasized by the glasses he wore. I nodded my head to show that I was alright before I poured him another fill of tea.

Y/n: "I am, Hecktor. I just received news of future company. Six members of the Church."

Irina's father, Hecktor Shidou, rose an eyebrow in my direction as he took a sip from the cup. The moon light flooded through the window and lit up the small room we were in, giving us a clear view of each other.

Y/n: "One seems to be your wife. And another, Griselda Quarta."

That little bit of information caused him to choke of his drink. I patiently waited for him to calm down before he looked at me questioningly after his coughing fit.

Hecktor: "For what reason? There is nothing here to warrant such forces."

Y/n: "Stolen artifacts. More specifically, Holy Swords."

Hecktor's eyes widen as he processed this. I didn't say anything else, but action and precautions needed to be taken. I stood up and walked towards the entrance of the Church.

Y/n: "I will be taking my leave, Hecktor. I must arrange a meeting with the Grigori and a certain Devil."

Hecktor broke out of his surprise and nodded in my direction.

Hecktor: "Safe travels. I will watch over the town in your absence."

I nodded my head before walking towards the residential area of town. There was a certain group of just-moved-in Fallen that I must discuss with. I made a mental note to ask either the Sitri Heiress or the Gremory Heiress to get me in contact with the Phenex Heir before the end of the night.

I walked deeper and deeper into the neighborhood, following that small trail of the tainted Holy essence. After a few minutes of traversing through the streets, the trail led me to a small moderate house that was in the outskirts of the town.

I wasted no time and stepped right up to the door. I raised my hand and gave it a few knocks and watched as the lights within the house flickered on window by window. Footsteps were then walking towards the door before it opened to reveal a young woman who I knew quite well.

By the looks of her eyes and the way they widened in shock, I could say she recognized me as well. Well, I sure hope she did, because it would quite disappointing if she didn't. Though her next words caused me to inwardly smile since it wasn't the case.

Yuuma: "U-Uncle? W-What b-brings you here?"

I brought my hand up and patted her head with as much affection as I could give. I didn't reply to her just yet and simply walked into her house. I'm sure she and her caretakers wouldn't mind because...

...she was my niece after all.