Rias folded her hands and pressed her forehead against her desk. One of the Church's current Saints. Rias knew who they were talking about. An entity feared even by Ultimate Class Devils. A fighter whose threat level was just underneath the top 3 Exorcists of the Church.

"Akeno, get ready. Have my brother on speed dial. We might need him or one of his peerage members just in case the Saint of Discipline shows up."

"Rias-sama, I've already contacted Grayfia-sama about our current situation as per protocol," Akeno said.

"And?" she asked.

"Grayfia-sama said that Sirzechs-sama and Lucifer-sama are caught up in talks with Michael of the Angel Faction and Azazel of the Grigori," Akeno replied.

"And on Serafall's end? I imagine Sona called her sister the moment we informed her of this," Rias said.

"Serafall-sama has been grounded by Lilith-sama. No Satan is to leave the Underworld. The threat of that entity we encountered in the Church is being taken seriously. She was spotted in Utah engaging an unknown individual in single combat but fled when they spotted…" Akeno trailed off.

"Spotted who?"

"Brahma, the Hindu God of Creation."

Rias's eyes widened. The Hindu Pantheon now too? A pantheon whose top deities were all monsters. They were a pantheon whose military force was one of the top in the world.

"Akeno, call the entire peerage. Send a message to Shin and Princess Sophia afterward. We're going to have a meeting at Hatch Potch regarding the current situation," Rias ordered.

"Of course, Rias-sama," Akeno said.

"Any luck on finding Yuuto?" she added.

Akeno shook her head sadly. The worried look on Rias's face deepened at her response. If Yuuto ran into those girls, this situation would spiral out of control. Kokabiel and the Saint of Discipline were two entities who could wipe out her entire peerage if they wanted to. She wasn't sure if they could survive this even with Shin and Sophia in town.

"Screw my earlier order. Don't call them separately. Call Sophia and Shin first. I'll reverse summon the entire peerage to the room, Yuuto included," Rias said.

"I'm home," Shin said, opening the door.

"Hey, you're back," Riser said, peeking his head out from the living room.

"Yeah, I was just getting dinner with Akeno after Issei… you know," Shin said.

"Oh, I know. Trust me, I know very well what it's like to be in the throes of passion wi-"

A silver blade stopped inches from his throat. Riser chuckled awkwardly, sensing the holy tingle from Shin's sword. The boy in front of him had a serious expression. Those eyes of his glowed with an eerie shade of blue that reminded him of Akane whenever she wasn't amused. The blade disappeared, dissolving into a shower of blue pixels.

"Please don't joke about that. Anyway, is Vivi here? She left early and I wanted to know if she made it home," he said.

"She's upstairs, Shin-sama," Ran said, coming out from the kitchen. She had a hot bowl of ramen in her hand. Ran placed it down on the coffee table and took off her mitts. "She brought Kiba-dono here into the house. The Knight looked worse for wear so Ravel-sama provided a Phenex Tear to heal him. He left shortly before you got here."

"Ran, on me. Come on. Rias just called us and we need to go get Sophia and Asia," Shin said.

Ran nodded. She turned into a black streak and landed on Shin's shoulder in her puppy form.

"Do you need me to come too?" Riser asked.

"Rias said this was serious so we might need everyone there. I'll meet you there. I just need to go find Sophia and Asia," Shin said.

"I believe Sophia-sama and Asia-sama are still at the pub after the gift incident," Ran said.

"Riser. Go. Tell Rias I'll be late," Shin said, walking out the door.

It had taken Shin a few minutes to intercept Asia and Sophia. Without saying another word, he had dragged them to the ORC, much to their confusion. After several minutes, they stood outside the doors of the Old School Building. Sophia yanked her arm from Shin's grip.

"What gives? Why are we here?" Sophia asked.

"Rias called. She said it was urgent," Shin said, turning to face her.

"Urgent? Urgent how?"

"You know Irina and her friend?" Shin asked.

"Yeah, I told them so it should be their problem now right?" Sophia said.

Asia nodded. "The exorcist-sans from the Church? They have-"

"You sensed it too?" Shin asked.

"What? Are you referring to that weird energy coming from them? Especially your childhood friend. She has two energies circling around her. One that's holy and the other being…"

"Divine," Shin finished.

"Well, shit. I thought I was just going crazy. If that's true, we can't just let this one go. Besides, I live here too," Sophia said, walking past him.

"You three took your ti- three?" Rias raised an eyebrow, watching the three walk into the room. "Nevermind, four. Hello, Ran-chan."

Everyone was in the room waiting. Even Kiba. However, while Kiba looked fine, his clothing looked worse for wear. There were tears and bloodstains located all over his clothes. He gave Shin a cold look before returning his gaze to the coffee table.

"Greetings, Rias-sama," Ran said.

"So, Issei, Irina. How was it? Did you like my gift, Issei?" Shin asked.

Issei turned beet red at his friend's comment. "Shu… Okay, yes I did. It was the best. Did you know that Irina's insides are the opti-" Issei's head was slammed into the table violently, eliciting a cry of pain from the boy.

Irina took her hand off his head and crossed her arms. She had a full-body blush and the tip of her cowlick was smoking. "Shut up. Don't go around divulging the details of our sex life, dummy."

"What? I'm not allowed to brag?" Issei asked, rubbing his forehead.

"Ahem. Please don't bring up your personal lives into this meeting," Rias said. She had a tick mark on her forehead.

"Ara ara, Rias-sama. Are you jealous that Shidou-san managed to get Issei before you?" Akeno asked.

"Akeno. One more word and I'm registering your name into the Official Stray Registry," Rias hissed.

Buchou too!? Issei thought. He glanced at Irina. She was giving Rias a look of superiority. He looked to Shin for some help. Shin merely shrugged and wished him the best.

"Before we begin this meeting, can one of you like… cast a comprehend language spell on me or like… do any of you own a Babelfish I can eat?" Shin asked.

"Shin, this isn't DnD. I'll serve as your translator," Sophia said.

"Ahem. I'll let these two start off. Please introduce yourselves once more so we can get this meeting underway," Rias said.

"Right, I am Irina Shidou. I'm an Exorcist of the Church. This here is…"

"Xenovia Quarta. Also an Exorcist of the Church," Xenovia said.

"Right, this is Xenovia Quarta. We've been sent by the Church for a single purpose. The Excalibur Fragments," Irina said.

"Fragments? There are multiple Excaliburs?" Issei asked.

"Yeah. The Excalibur was originally one blade that was wielded by King Arthur. When he died, the sword came into possession of House Pendragon and the Protestant Church. Afterward, the sword was shattered in the Great War. The fragments were all collected and made into the seven Fragments but… the swords could never live up to the sum of their parts, even when combined together," Shin explained.

"Yes, like Shin-chan said, the Excalibur Fragments are the reason we are here," Irina said.

"And pray tell? Why are you here? This is the Far East and the World of the Shinto Gods. This is a pretty far place to go looking for a sword from the Matter of Britain," Rias said, folding her hands together.

"After the sword broke, the three main divisions of the Christian Church split them amongst each other. The Catholic Church held two, mine included. The other one is in possession of the Saint of Discipline. The Protestant Church wielded two. One of them is in Irina's possession. And the Eastern Orthodox Church held the last two. The last fragment was lost in the War," Xenovia explained.

"Mmm. So they took the swords and fled here," Irina finished.

"And… it had to be our town. It just had to be our town," Shin said.

"Sorry. I was wondering why this town too," Irina said.

"And according to your intel, you said that the Grigori is responsible for this?" Rias asked.

"Impossible, I just talked to Uncle about this the day before Issei's birthday. I would've known if they were responsible for this," Sophia said.

"Well, I don't know what to tell you, Fallen. The culprit responsible for this was the Angel of Stars and one of the Cadre, Kokabiel," Xenovia said.

"Kokabiel…?" Sophia's eyes widened considerably. She placed her hand on her chin and began to think.

"We got word the other day that the Hagia Sophia has fallen. Two High-Level Fallen Angels raided the place and stole Excalibur Rapidly. Now, Blessing, Destruction, and Mimic are the only ones in our possession. Which is why we want to get this meeting over and get your word on non-interference so we can begin our search for the swords," Xenovia said.

"I forbid it. You are in my territory. Anything that happens in this land does not happen without my or Sona's approval. If you were to die in my territory, even my status as the sister of the Maou, wouldn't be able to protect me," Rias said.

"Xenovia, I think we should ask at least. Even if I were to use it and you summoned your other sword, we're no match for Kokabiel," Irina said.

"Wait… you have to fight Kokabiel by yourselves?" Issei asked.

Irina's mouth snapped shut.

"Um, surprise?"

"No, no. Absolutely not. I won't let you. If you're gonna fight someone who sounds that dangerous, then I won't let you do it by yourself," Issei said, standing up.

"Issei sit down," Rias said.

"No, Buchou, are you hearing this!? They're kids just like us and they're being sent here to fight this Kokabiel bastard by themselves? Shin, come on back me up! You and Irina are like siblings!" Issei called out.

Shin sighed. "Irina, as much as I want to remain neutral, I can't. You're my best friend. I won't let you run into a suicidal fight like this. Especially when Onee isn't in town."

"Why the hell did they even send two obviously wet behind the ears exorcists like you?" Sophia asked.

"Wet behind the…" Xenovia's face contorted into rage. Sophia's words were something she took offense to. Xenovia rounded on Sophia only to be restrained by Irina's grip on her shoulder. She was about to protest when she saw the orange glow in Irina's eyes.

"As… much as it pains me to say this, I am ready to die in combat for my beliefs," Irina said, sighing.

"That's bullshit! That's absolute bullshit! What kind of Church sends kids off to die?" Issei yelled.

"That's how it's always been," Kiba said bitterly. "The lives of the innocent don't matter. I doubted that Heaven even cares what with that monster running around."

An ungodly pressure fell upon the room, forcing everyone except Rias, Sophia, Riser, Akeno, and Shin into their chairs. Irina looked down at Yuuto with a literal burning gaze. A hazy orange aura surrounded her body and the temperature shot up several degrees.

"I advise you don't talk ill of my beliefs, Knight of Gremory. Or should I call you, I-61:1?" Irina said coldly.

Kiba's eyes widened. He looked up at her with a furious expression on his face. "How do you know that name?"

"It doesn't matter how I know. But I'd like it if you didn't insult what I believe in. It's true that our church is steeped in blood but that doesn't mean all of us ascribe ourselves to those beliefs," Irina said. The pressure let up, allowing everyone to release the breath they were holding in.

"So, can we go back to what we were talking about earlier… or does anyone else want to dredge up the past and side rail this conversation even further?" Rias asked.

"Right, we want you to stay out of the way while we go locate and either retrieve the Excaliburs or destroy them. Either way, we knew what we were getting into. There's a chance that we might die in any mission. Our lives aren't like yours. You live in a town with a cushy life and the only thing you have to worry about is some gnats entering your territory. However, we're different from you, Princess. We have to go out and risk our lives on a daily basis," Xenovia said. "And this mission is just one out of thousands."

"Basically, what she's saying is that we're prepared to die with no regrets. Our only mission is to get or destroy the swords and nothing else," Irina said.

"Is that why you were in a hurry to sleep with Issei and consummate your relationship?" Shin asked.

Irina remained silent. She turned around and gave her best friend and boyfriend a sad smile. "I didn't want to die with regrets… especially since this mission has a high risk of dying. I at least wanted to tell Issei I love him."

"Bullshit! I'm not letting you go out there!" Issei said.

"Issei…"

"Enough. Irina, let's go. Our mission here is done. We need to start locating them," Xenovia said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Irina remained silent, looking down at the ground despondently.

"I'm not letting you take her. Not without me so if you wanna get out, you're gonna have to get past me, you blue bimbo!" Issei said, summoning the [Boosted Gear].

Xenovia remained silent and walked towards the door. Issei lunged at her, swiping at the air. His eyes widened. His fist had hit nothing. In an instant, Issei found himself staring through a hole in the ORC club room. A warm fluid ran down his forehead.

Xenovia stood in the same spot with her hand wrapped around the hilt of an ornate blade that had the color of dried blood. It was three-pronged at the end and had an ax-like crossguard.

Issei felt pain in his abdomen and coughed violently, sending blood splattering all over the floor.

Xenovia took a step towards him but stopped when she felt a blade at her throat.

"I know you can't understand but take one more step. I fucking dare you," Shin said heatedly. His eyes were glowing blue and in his other hand, one of the Failnacht pistols manifested into existence.

"Do you really think you can stop us from leaving?" Xenovia asked.

"Asia, go heal Issei." Shin kept Clarent pressed firmly against Xenovia's throat.

Asia nodded and ran over to the wounded Issei. She placed her hand over his body and began healing him.

"No way…," Irina gasped.

"So my suspicion was correct," Xenovia muttered. "To think that the former Holy Saint would be consorting with Devils."

"What did she say?" Shin asked.

"Shin-chan, Asia… she's been excommunicated from the Church and now we find her here? Consorting with Devils? She's been labeled as a Witch," Irina said.

"Perhaps those rumors were true after all. Maybe she fell and became one herself. It just shows that her belief in God was fake," Xenovia continued.

"Fake… God? That monster? She's-" Issei groaned but was interrupted when Asia stood up and faced Xenovia.

"...?" Xenovia tilted her head in confusion.

"Fake? My belief in the Heavenly Mother is stronger than yours. I pray to Her even to this day and no matter what happens even if I become a Devil, I will never stop having faith," Asia said. Her eyes glowed and her wings popped out of her back.

"S-She became an Angel?" Irina said in shock.

Xenovia was dumbfounded. She didn't even know how to respond. The Witch of the Church had become an Angel. Was that the true purpose of her excommunication then? So that Heaven could take her for themselves?

"Enough!"

It wasn't Rias who scolded them this time. Riser's voice rang through the room and the Old School Building. His voice carried an authority about him that far surpassed that of Rias. Shin reluctantly lowered Clarent and Asia powered down.

"Both of you. I apologize as a neutral third party on behalf of the two Administrators of this town. If you may, you both can leave," Riser said.

Irina and Xenovia looked at each other and bowed. Xenovia walked out first, heading down the hallway. Irina stayed for a few seconds and gave Shin a nod. He sighed and smiled in return. She then walked over to Issei and held her hand out.

Issei ignored her hand and stood up.

Irina's face morphed into a hurt expression for a few seconds. "I'm sorry…"

"Sorry won't bring you back," Issei muttered.

Irina nodded. "At least, if I don't come back, I won't have regrets." She leaned in and kissed Issei on the cheek, then whispered something into his ear. After a few seconds, she pulled away. Issei nodded, having understood what she whispered. Irina walked down the hallway and disappeared down the stairs.

"So what now?" Shin asked.

"Getting involved in this would open me up to political liability so I won't move," Rias said, pinching the bridge of her nose. "As much as possible, I will only move if my Peerage is in danger. Same for Sona. Which means everyone, including Yuuto and Issei, are strictly forbidden from interacting with those two until they either die or leave, got it?"

"But-"

"Yuuto. No moving. Got it?"

Her sharp words silenced any argument that he may have had.

"What about you, Issei?" Rias asked.

"Huh? Oh, yeah… sure," Issei said.

Rias raised an eyebrow but nodded nonetheless. She turned to Shin and Sophia.

"I can't stop you from going with them but I have to ask Princess Sophia to please not go after them if possible," Rias said.

"Not possible. I'll aid them with the backing of the Grigori," Sophia said.

Rias sighed. At least the Princess wasn't using the Underworld as her backing.

"Shin-kun, are you going to…?" Akeno trailed off.

"..." Shin remained silent. "I'll see what I can do. First, I need to get Issei out of here and back to the Pub. I trust that you guys can look after yourselves after this?"

"We'll be fine. Just don't do anything stupid," Rias said.

"Shin-kun, be careful. If there are Fallen Angels of this caliber in this town, then…"

"I know. They might target me because of my sister and parents," he replied.

Shin cleaned a mug and stared at Issei with a worried expression. Everyone was acting differently. Vivi was quiet, preferring to sip water of all things rather than alcohol. Asia was biting her finger. Sophia remained silent, eyes closed and deep in thought. The atmosphere of the pub was heavy and dense, so much so that you could cut through it with a table knife.

Ran sat on the table, ears flattened. She could sense her master's turmoil. Ran touched her nose against Shin's hand.

"Huh? Thanks, girl. Guys, what are we going to do?" Shin asked, scratching Ran behind the ears.

"I'm going after them," Issei said, closing his fist.

"What?" Shin looked at him incredulously. Now, Issei too? "Are you insane?"

"No, Irina told me to meet her at a certain location after two days. She said she and Xenovia are going to hole up at your place for a while before moving out to prepare," Issei said.

"I… Wha-... huh?"

"Did you forget they're staying with you?" Issei asked.

"Wha- NO! That's not what I'm trying to get at here! Issei, Kokabiel is one of the most dangerous members of the Grigori! He's a top commander whose strength equals an Ultimate Class Devil! He's a survivor from the Great War and he lived after running into my sister! My sister!" Shin waved his arms around.

"Wait… Aka-nee fought him?" Issei asked.

"Well… fight is a generous word to use. More like… he flailed angrily against her but that's beside the point! He's way beyond any of our skill levels!" he protested.

"Then let's all fight him together," Sophia added.

"You too!?"

"Shin, Jailbait's right… in a weird way. We need to fight Kokabiel before he decides to turn on this town," Sophia said.

"What? I don't follow," Shin said.

"Shin, who is living here in this town?" she asked.

"Um… people?"

"No, aside… who fucking runs this place?"

"Rias and So-"

"Exactly. And you really think an old war hawk like Kokabiel would stop at killing two exorcists? He'll have one of the strongest weapons on the planet at his fingertips. Who do you think he'll turn it on?"

"Ah… fuck," Shin said, slamming his fist on the counter.

"Though, this is kind of weird for Kokabiel," Sophia said.

"How so? From what Shin and the others say, this guy sounds like a verified psycho," Issei said.

"No, no. I admit he is kinda psychotic but he's smarter than this. The fact that he's attempting to reconstruct Excalibur looks… I don't know. To me it just sounds like he's desperate," Sophia replied.

"Desperate for what?" Shin asked.

"Do you remember what God was looking for in this place?" she asked.

"Yeah, the Queen of Conquest or something."

"Well, I asked dad about it after we met her and…"

"And?" Issei said.

"The Queen of Conquest is a title that varies with gender but it always refers to one thing. The White Horseman," Sophia said.

"White Horseman? Like the Four Horsemen?" Vivi interjected.

"Yeah. What if Kokabiel's here for the same reason? The reason he's rebuilding Excalibur is to use it to hunt down the Queen of Conquest?" Sophia asked.

Everyone was confused.

Sophia sighed. "You dolts, I'm saying that he might know who she is. He's close to God right? Maybe he knows something that we don't."

"Maybe, but, it's more plausible for him to turn Excalibur on the Heiresses right? One thing at a time. We can deal with the big picture later," Shin said.

"Right. Anyway, since we're dealing with the Excalibur, Vivi, think you can help us?" Shin asked.

"Do you even need to ask? I've been waiting all this time to get back at the Sword," she said.

"Eh? Didn't you make it? Why would you hate it?" Sophia asked.

"Because it's useless," Vivi answered.

"Right. Anyway, we're sure as hell not gonna let you go by yourself, dumbass, so we're coming with you. At the very least, I can make sure you and Irina are still alive," Shin said.

"Thanks, man," Issei said.

"So where did she ask to meet?" Shin asked.

"Your house."

"Of course," he said, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation.

Freed stumbled down the stairs of the warehouse, slamming against the wall and falling down the remaining steps. He groaned in pain, gripping his torso and letting out labored breaths. That blue-haired bitch had done more damage to him than anyone he had ever met in a single attack. He looked up, hearing the sound of heavy-set footsteps heading in his direction.

Freed was greeted by the sight of a bespectacled, stout elderly man. He wore a white cap on his head and had on a priest's garb. The man pushed up his glasses and shook his head. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, Freed. What happened to you, my dear boy?"

"Some fucker attacked me while I was trying to kill a devil," Freed gasped. "Come on old man. Help me up, will ya, Old Man Valper?"

Valper helped Freed over to a table where he cleared all the things off and laid Freed down. "Looks like I'll need some time to fix your body."

"Can't you just use healing magic or something?" Freed asked.

"This is just a formality. I have something that will help make you feel better," he said, walking over to a box. He reached inside and pulled out a vial. Valper walked back over. "Open your mouth. This will heal all your wounds."

Freed nodded and opened his mouth. Valper opened the vial and let out a single drop onto Freed's tongue. Freed's body glowed faintly.

"Woah, I feel better. It doesn't even hurt anymore!" Freed said, sitting up.

"Good, good because he informed me of the next part of the plan. It's a good thing you're healed enough to execute it," he said.

"And what is this next part?"

"The two exorcists from the Church. Kokabiel wants you to find them and eliminate them."

Here we are moving along slowly but steadily. Sorry if this chapter seemed boring and choppy but we needed to get it out of the way and have that conversation. There isn't a fight this time between Irina and Xenovia and Issei and Kiba because... I saw no point in adding that fight after Kiba just got his shit stomped by Freed and Issei and Irina just had seggs. Anyway, we'll start accelerating next chapter. Have some more Vivi plot here and there. Just usual stuff. That's all I have to say for now! Remember to leave a review and to have a great day/night or not, the choice is yours.