Here's the next chapter! I hope you all enjoy!

The day after Issei and his allies had met and dueled with the members of the Church, Xenovia and Irina, everyone had the day off from school. Luke had sent him a message asking him to meet him at the train station that morning, also adding not to bring anyone else along. He also asked Saji to meet them as well. After Luke told them of his idea to ask Xenovia and Irina to destroy the Excaliburs, their eyes widened in shock.

"Nooooooo! I'm going home!" Saji screamed as he tried to run away.

However, Koneko grabbed onto Saji and held him there as she agreed with Luke to destroy the Excaliburs.

"But why did you ask us to come?" Issei asked while pointing at himself.

"That's a good question, Hyoudou!" Saji exclaimed. "We belong to different houses, so why involve us in any of this?!"

"Because I can't do this by myself and out of anyone in the Gremory peerage, only Fumiko would've helped me, and I don't want her involved in this." Luke replied. "I only came across Koneko on the way here. Aside from them, you two seem like the only other Devils who would help."

"Bullshit!" Saji shouted back with a sense of fear. "There's no way I'm helping you! Or else Kaichou will kill me! Your masters might be strict but kind, but Kaichou is just doubly strict!"

"As much as I can't stand that pretty boy, even I wouldn't want him to meet the end of a Holy Sword." Issei said. "I'll help out."

"Are you sure about that, Hyoudou?"

Issei froze up at the voice and he slowly turned his head toward Akira, who was standing behind him.

"Ka… Kazuya-chan?" Issei shuddered.

"'Kazuya'?" Luke muttered. Her hair is the same color as Fumiko's and they also kind of look similar…

"I ain't gonna stop you or tell Melody-sama even though I should, buuut…" Akira paused for dramatic effect. "Just know that she will give you a punishment worse than death. Otherwise, I'd be willing to help."

Issei gulped as he feared what kind of punishment Melody would give him if he joined Luke in trying to destroy the Excaliburs.

"Now that I've warned you, I'm off." Akira waved as she started to walk away.

"H-hey!" Luke called out to her. "Do-do you know Fumiko Kazuya?"

Akira immediately stopped and spoke up without looking back at Luke. "… Don't worry about it. You're in the Gremory peerage, too, right?"

"Uh-uh-huh." Luke nodded.

"Has… she told anyone about her life at home?"

"No, I-I don't think so. A-at least, not to me. I did see the-the apartment she lives in."

Akira exhaled. "… Promise me one thing… Get her out of there."

"'Get her… out of there'?"

Before Luke could get any clarification of her words, Akira continued walking away.

What is she talking about? Luke thought to himself. Is… Fumiko's home life that dangerous?

"… Let's go." Koneko spoke up.

Luke, Koneko, Issei, and Saji began searching throughout town for Xenovia and Irina.

"… You want Yuuto-senpai to overcome one of the Excaliburs to ease his mind?" Koneko asked Luke.

"Yeah." Luke nodded. "If Irina and Xenovia don't care what happens to them as long as they don't remain in the hands of the Fallen Angels, then it's possible to make both them and Kiba satisfied… It's not a perfect plan. Aside from the obvious dangers, there's also the possibility that Kiba won't be satisfied until he's sure all seven Excaliburs have been obliterated."

"… Either way, it won't be easy. And we'll have to keep this secret from Buchou and the others."

"… Trying to talk to those ladies might lead to another fight, though." Issei stated.

"If things get too dangerous, we should get out immediately." Luke said. "I want to help Kiba, but it won't do anyone any good if we end up dead."

"I want to get out now!" Saji exclaimed. "Kaichou will kill me if I help you destroy an Excalibur without her permission!"

"If we're able to talk things out with those women, we'll still need all the help we can get." Luke continued.

"I won't run away." Koneko said firmly and plainly. "This is for my friend."

Twenty minutes later, they were able to find Xenovia and Irina praying on the side of the road and arguing about Irina spending all of their money on a painting of someone who looks like a saint. Their stomachs were also growling like bears.

That was stupidly easy… Luke thought in slight disbelief. Then again, they are wearing white robes and black spandex, so I shouldn't be surprised. He then walked up to the two Church women. "Ex-excuse me?"

"Uh…" Xenovia and Irina turned to Luke with hungry eyes.

"W-we were just about to grab something to eat. Would you like to come along?"

"Okay." Both of them answered immediately.

Wow, not the picture of 'holy warriors', are they?

"Japanese food is delicious!"

"Yes, this is it! The taste of my homeland!"

The Pawns and Koneko took Xenovia and Irina to a chain restaurant where the women started stuffing their faces. Both Luke and Issei chipped in to pay for their food after seeing them eating so much.

"Phew, much better." Xenovia commented. "It must be the end of the world if the faithful have to take charity from Devils."

Rude, but if I get snarky, they might not be willing to hear us out. Luke thought.

"Thank you for the meal!" Irina then signed a cross over her chest. "Lord, please give charity to these kind Devils."

Luke, Koneko, Issei, and Saji were all struck with a sudden headache due to Irina's gesture.

"Ah, sorry! I wasn't thinking!" Irina apologized with a cute smile.

After drinking some water, Xenovia took a deep breath. "So, what do you want with us?"

"You came to Japan to get the Excaliburs out of the Fallen Angels' hands, right?" Luke asked.

"Yes, we told you yesterday."

"I… want to help you destroy the Excaliburs."

Xenovia and Irina were surprised by his words and they looked at each other. The air was tense as the Devils waited for their response.

"… Okay. It might be acceptable to leave one of the Excaliburs to you." Xenovia agreed to Luke's suggestion. "If you can destroy it, that is. Although, I would advise keeping your identities unknown. We don't want our superiors and enemies thinking we are connected to you."

"Hey, Xenovia! Are you sure about this?" Irina objected. "Even if they're my old friends, Issei and Luke are still Devils."

"Irina, to tell you the truth, it will be difficult retrieving all three Excaliburs and fighting Kokabiel with just the two of us."

"I know that! But still!"

"The least our mission requires is either destroying or retrieving the three Excaliburs and escaping. If our Excaliburs are stolen, we should destroy them immediately. Even with our secret weapon, there is only a thirty percent chance that we will complete our mission and return safely."

"We understood our chances when we came to Japan and prepared to put our lives on the line."

"Yes. Headquarters had no issue with dispatching only the two of us here. They have basically told us to sacrifice ourselves."

"Isn't that what we, the Lord's faithful, are supposed to desire above all else?"

"I have changed my mind. My beliefs are flexible. That way I can find the best course of action."

"… You know, I've been thinking this for a long time, but your faith is really weird!"

"I won't deny it. But there is nothing wrong with believing that our duty is to accomplish our mission and return safely. I will live and continue fighting for the Lord. Won't you?"

"… I won't argue with that, but…"

"That's why we won't ask for help from Devils. Instead, we ask for help from Dragons. Headquarters didn't tell us not to ask for the strength of Dragons."

She must be talking about Issei and me. Luke thought.

"Meeting the Red Dragon Emperor in this land was already beyond my expectations, but to also encounter the reawakened Sapphire Dragon Emperor as well…" Xenovia continued. "Even though you both have become Devils, I can see that the dragons' power is still alive and well. If it's like the legends say, your powers can rival that of a Satan, correct? If you can harness that power, you can easily break the Excaliburs. I also think it is the Lord's will that we had this meeting."

"W-well, they certainly didn't tell us not to borrow a Dragon's power… But you're really pushing it! Your beliefs really are weird!"

"That is fine by me. But Irina, they are your old friends, right? Let's put our faith in them. The power of Dragons."

Irina went silent but eventually she seemed to accept this turn of events.

"Okay…" Luke sighed in relief as he took out his phone. "Now that the negotiation has been a success, I'm going to give him a call."

The person Luke was calling was Yuuto. He told him that he was with the two Excalibur wielders and wanted him to join them at the restaurant. Yuuto accepted without raising any objections.

"… I get it." Kiba said before taking a sip of his coffee. "Though to be honest, it's anticlimactic when the wielders of the Excaliburs are granting me permission to destroy them."

"You have quite the mouth on you." Xenovia remarked. "If you were a Stray, I would have cut you down without hesitation."

Yuuto and Xenovia glared at each other.

"So, you hold a grudge against the Holy Sword Project?" Irina asked. "As well as the Excaliburs and the Church?"

Yuuto narrowed his eyes. "Obviously."

"Kiba-kun, thanks to that research, people like Xenovia and I can synchronize with Holy Swords."

"Do you think that forgives the murders of the failed test subjects?" Yuuto asked back with hateful eyes.

"We also view that incident with disgust." Xenovia spoke. "The person in charge of the project held beliefs that were at odds with those of the Church. He was charged with heresy and now serves the Fallen Angels."

"What's the name of that person?" Yuuto inquired with piqued curiosity.

"… Valper Galilei." Xenovia answered. "These days, he is known as the 'Genocidal Archbishop'."

"… If I hunt down the Fallen Angels, then I can find him…" Yuuto had newfound determination in his eyes. "I have information to share as well. The other day, I was attacked by someone who had an Excalibur after he killed a priest. The victim is likely one of your people."

"Wh-why didn't you t-tell us this?!" Luke questioned in surprise. "If I-I was in your p-position, I would tell President a-and the rest of you as soon as possible!"

Yuuto ignored Luke and continued. "The assailant was Freed Sellzen. Does that name sound familiar?"

"That shitty priest?!" Issei exclaimed.

"I was really hoping not to see him again…" Luke groaned.

"I see." Irina muttered. "So, it's him."

"Freed Sellzen, former exorcist of the Vatican." Xenovia recalled. "A genius who became an exorcist at the age of 13. He had many major achievements for slaying countless Devils and mythical beasts."

"But he frequently took things too far." Irina stated. "He didn't even hesitate to kill his own allies. Freed never actually shared our faith. All that ever mattered to him was finding powerful monsters and slaughtering them. It was only a matter of time until he was charged with heresy."

"I see." Xenovia spoke with frustration in her voice. "Freed used the Excalibur he stole to murder our people. I didn't think we would have to pay the price for the disposal team failing to eliminate him." She then calmed herself down. "Anyways, we should discuss how we're going to destroy the Excaliburs." Xenovia took out a pen and memo pad and wrote down her contact information on it. "If something happens, call this number."

"Thanks. I'll give you mine, as well." Luke said as Xenovia handed him her notepad, wrote down his phone number, and handed it back to her.

"We already received Issei-kun's number from his mother the other day." Irina stated.

"Are you serious?!" Issei exclaimed in shock. "Mom just gave it away without my permission?!"

"That's it then." Xenovia stood up and prepared to leave. "I'll repay you for the meal another time, Dragon Emperors Luke Sigmund and Issei Hyoudou."

"Thanks for the meal, you guys!" Irina winked at Luke and Issei. "Treat me again next time, too!"

After sending the women off, Issei let out a big sigh.

"That went a lot smoother than I thought…" Issei expressed. "If we failed the negotiations, we could have triggered another war between Devils and the Church."

"… Luke-kun, why are you doing this?" Yuuto asked.

Luke looked down at the table with sad eyes. "… I saw your eyes when you t-told me you… you would cut me down… If… that is what you're really like… I-I just want the old Kiba back… And it's not just me. President wants you back to your usual self, too. I know I'll get in trouble for this… but it's better than you to become a Stray. Besides, you helped me a couple of months ago. It's only fair that I repay you for that."

Yuuto still didn't seem satisfied. Koneko then tugged on Yuuto's shirt and looked at him with teary eyes.

"… Yuuto-senpai." Koneko practically whispered. "I would get lonely… if you were gone… I will help you… So, please don't go."

Seeing Koneko so sad was making Luke tear up.

Yuuto gave a conflicted smile. "Hahaha, I give up. If Koneko-chan says so, I can't do anything reckless. Okay, I'll go along with you. And it's thanks to you that I know who my true enemy is. But now that we've chosen this path, we can't stop until we've destroyed an Excalibur."

Koneko smiled in relief, which made Luke blush at how cute she looked.

"Now that we have our team, we just need a plan to find that annoying priest and his Excalibur and defeat him!" Luke proclaimed.

"I know I was there when Kiba-kun went apeshit on Xenovia, but why does he hate Excalibur so much?" Issei inquired.

"Yeah, it doesn't involve us." Saji added. "Did something happen between Kiba and Excalibur."

"… Let's chat for a bit."

Yuuto told everyone about the Holy Sword Project, how each of the test subjects had their own dreams for when they could finally leave and not a single one was compatible with the Holy Swords.

"… Everyone died, killed by those who served God." Yuuto finished his story. "And no one saved them simply because they couldn't use Holy Swords. They suffocated us with poison gas while saying 'amen'. We were vomiting blood and suffering on the floor, begging God to save us. My comrades managed to help me escape, but I had breathed in too much gas. As I was on the verge of death, I encountered Rias, who was on a tour of Italy. You can easily figure out the rest from there. I want to avenge my comrades. No, I need to ensure their deaths aren't in vain. I live to prove I am stronger than Excalibur."

"Kiba…" Luke muttered sullenly.

"I thought Asia had it bad, but yours is worse than I could've imagined…" Issei gritted his teeth in frustration.

Saji was crying so much that his nose was running, and he took Yuuto's hand. "Kiba! That must have been awful! Painful! Dammit! There is no God or hope in this world! You have no idea how much I feel for you right now! Now I understand why you hold a grudge against the Church and Excalibur! Honestly, I didn't like you before because you were handsome… but that's a whole other thing! I'll help out, too! Even if it means receiving punishment from Kaichou! But before that, we need to destroy Excalibur! You have to live on! Don't ever betray your savior Rias-senpai!" Saji then composed himself and stopped sobbing. "Okay, now's a good time! I want you guys to hear my dream! You guys should know about me if we're going to work together! My dream… is to get Kaichou pregnant and marry her!"

Luke and Koneko gave Saji side-eyes at his ridiculous declaration.

"Getting a girl pregnant and marrying her is tough for an unpopular guy like me." Saji continued. "But one day I will knock her up and marry her!"

I… don't even know where to begin poking holes… Luke thought. And didn't it seem like Saji was afraid of Council President Sitri, earlier?

Suddenly, tears started flowing out of Issei's eyes and he took Saji's hand.

"Saji! Listen to me! My aim… is to fondle Misaki-senpai's oppai… and suck on them!"

After pausing for a second, more tears started pouring from Saji's eyes.

"Hyoudouuu! Do you know what you're saying?! It might not be a High-Class Devil's breasts, but it's still hard to touch those of your master's Queen, isn't it?"

"Saji, I actually touched Misaki's oppai with this hand." Issei waved his hands.

Saji looked at Issei in shock. "Impossible! You're not lying, are you?!"

While Issei and Saji were discussing their unusual dreams, the others at the table just looked at them with either perplexed or disapproving looks.

I can't say it out loud because it would be rude… but their dreams are dumb…

"What about you, Luke-kun?"

Luke heard Issei call him and paid attention to him and Saji again.

"Yeah, you probably want to do perverted things with your master, right?" Saji surmised.

Luke's eyes widened as his face grimaced and became red. "E-eehh… U-uuuh…"

"Or even Fumiko-chan?" Saji asked.

"Or Akeno-san?" Issei added. "Or maybe you're aiming for all three?!"

"W-w-well…" Luke stammered as he felt embarrassed to say it out loud. "I-it's nothing as… l-lewd as that… but… I… just want to make girls happy."

"You mean have sex with them?" Issei asked for clarification.

"N-no!" Luke replied with a flushed face. "J-just gen-generally."

"Sounds kinda lame." Both Issei and Saji seemed heavily disappointed.

I don't need to take that from you two!

"… Ahahaha…" Yuuto nervously chuckled.

"… Perverts." Koneko sighed.

When Luke returned home in the evening, he saw Seth and Rias in the living room.

"There you are, Luke." Rias greeted him. "Where have you been all day?"

"I-I was hanging out with Hyoudou and Saji." Luke half-lied. "Since the three of us are all Pawns."

"Luke, there's something we need to talk about with you." Seth said. "It's… about Fumiko."

Luke took a seat in one of the chairs and listened to what his older brother had to say.

"How much do you guys know about Fumiko's life outside of school and Devil work?" Seth inquired.

"Not much, I'm afraid." Luke responded. "I did walk with her on her way home once. The apartment she entered looked like it hadn't been taken care of in decades. Although, you probably saw that too when you dropped Fumiko off at her house yesterday, Seth."

"Is that all you know?" Seth asked.

Luke suddenly remembered Akira's words from earlier. "… Actually, there is one other thing. When I met with Hyoudou and Saji earlier today, this girl showed up. Hyoudou called her 'Kazuya-chan'. Not only did she look kind of like Fumiko, but she also seemed to know her."

"A relative perhaps?" Rias guessed.

"I don't know, but the last words she said to me were 'promise me one thing… get her out of there'."

"… All right." Seth closed his eyes. "Luke, I've noticed that you're very protective of Fumiko. Just… don't do anything reckless, okay?"

I'm getting all of these warnings about Fumiko… Just… what is going on?

Over the next few days after school, Luke, Yuuto, Koneko, Issei, and Saji would search for Freed and his Excalibur. Since he was hunting down priests sent by the Church, their best bet to find him was to disguise themselves as priests using white robes Xenovia gave them to keep their demonic power hidden. However, they weren't able to find him, and Rias was starting to get suspicious of them.

One day during their lunch break, Luke was finally able to muster up the courage to ask Fumiko about something that's been bothering him the last few days.

"F-Fumiko, can… can I ask you something?"

"Y-y-yes! Of course!"

"Is… every-everything okay at home?"

After taking a few more bites of her food and swallowing, Fumiko finally spoke up.

"… I j-j-j-just need to k-keep my grades up."

"But… you're the top of our class. Your lowest score is 99."

"I n-n-need to be sure I c-can get into the best universities."

"To become a doctor, right?"

"Y-yes."

"Even so, with your grades you can get into any university you want."

Fumiko remained silent with a sullen expression.

"I-I'm sorry." Luke apologized. "That was p-probably too personal…"

Luke knew he couldn't get any further information from Fumiko after seeing her reaction, which only made his concern for her grow.

After school that same day, Luke and the others started another search for Freed. Evening came and they had yet to encounter him, and they had to return soon otherwise they would get in trouble with their masters.

"No progress today either…" Saji sighed.

Yuuto, who was at the front of the group, stopped walking as if he sensed something.

"… Yuuto-senpai." Koneko also seemed to have felt it.

Luke, Issei, and Saji felt a chilling bloodlust in the air.

"Up there!" Saji shouted.

Everyone looked up and saw a familiar white-haired priest dropping down with a long sword.

"Divine protection for a band of wandering priests, eh?"

Yuuto brought out one of his demonic swords and blocked Freed's strike.

"Freed!" Issei shouted.

"That voice! Is that you, Issei?! And Lukey's here, too?! Hahahahaha!" Freed laughed insanely. "What an unbelievable coincidence! How've ya been? Thanks for the new hand, by the way!" He then showed off his new metal prosthetic right hand. "Have you increased your dragon power? Can I kill you now?"

Everyone threw off their robes and revealed their school uniforms.

"Boosted Gear!"

Boost!

Kiba has to be the one to defeat Freed and Excalibur. Luke thought as he summoned his lance. While Issei is storing up power, I'll support Kiba from the rearguard to keep that demented priest on his toes. But if things get too dangerous, I'll have to join him in the vanguard.

"Extend line!"

A device with a cute, deformed lizard face appeared on the back of Saji's left hand and its mouth opened before it shot its thick, black tongue at Freed.

"Such a pain!" Freed clicked his tongue in annoyance.

Freed swung his sword to knock away the lizard's tongue, but the tongue altered its trajectory and wrapped itself around his right leg. He tried to cut it off, but it fazed through like it didn't have physical form.

"You can't cut my line that easily!" Saji said. "Kiba! He can't get away! Get him!"

"Thanks!" Yuuto dashed forward with a demonic sword in each hand.

"Tch, so you don't just have that Holy Eraser, I see!" Freed scoffed. "If you've got multiple demonic swords, then you must have Sword Birth! You must feel guilty for having such a rare Sacred Gear for yourself! But normal demonic swords don't stand a chance against…"

Both of Yuuto's demonic swords shattered like glass.

"My sweet Excalibur!"

Yuuto created another demonic sword, but it was also easily broken by Excalibur.

"Kiba, do you want me to transfer now?" Issei asked.

"I can still do this!" Yuuto insisted with a hint of annoyance at Issei.

"Haha, that death stare you're giving my Excalibur is terrifying!" Freed cackled. "Do you perhaps hate it? Well, I don't know what happened in the past, but once I cut you with this there won't be a trace of you left! You'll die! Die! Just die!"

Freed jumped up and Yuuto prepared another demonic sword to block his attack, but that sword was also destroyed. As Freed was about to strike a second time, he was suddenly forced to deflect an extended Gradivus. Just then, Issei felt himself become weightless as Koneko picked him up and held him over her head.

"… Issei-senpai, please help Yuuto-senpai."

Koneko then threw a screaming Issei like a ball toward Yuuto.

"Kibaaaaaa! Transfer nowwwwww!" Issei shouted while flying through the air.

"Wha?! Hyoudou-kun?!" Yuuto was surprised to see Issei being thrown to him like that.

When Issei reached Yuuto, he tapped him and activated his Sacred Gear's Transfer ability.

Transfer!

Yuuto could feel a surge of power within him, and a powerful aura enveloped his body.

"Now that I've received your power, I have to put it to use! Sword Birth!"

Many demonic swords pierced out from everywhere around them. Irritated, Freed starts breaking the swords closest to him. As soon as Yuuto found an opening, he took one of the new demonic swords and vanished. He darted across the area using the sprouting demonic swords as footholds to move at incredible speed and threw one of the blades at Freed each time he did so. Even though his allies could barely keep track of Yuuto's movements, Freed was able to do so.

"What's with the circus act?! You Devil scum!" Freed shouted in a frenzy as he destroyed the demonic swords hurled at him, one after another. "This is Excalibur Rapid! Even you can't match its speed!"

The blade of Excalibur blurred until it disappeared, and all of the demonic swords thrown at him were cut into pieces. Freed then rushed toward Yuuto and the demonic swords he had in his hands were broken.

"DIE!"

As Freed was bringing down his Excalibur on Yuuto, he was pulled away from him by the black lizard's tongue coming out of Saji's Sacred Gear and he lost his balance.

"I won't let you!" Saji shouted.

Freed then noticed a faint light passing through the tongue from his body to Saji. "… This is?! Shit! Are you absorbing my powers?!"

"How do ya like that!" Saji smirked. "This is my Sacred Gear Absorption Line, the Black Dragon's Pulse! As long as this line's connected, it'll keep absorbing your power into my Sacred Gear until you're exhausted!"

"… Another dragon-type Sacred Gear?!" Freed gnashed his teeth in frustration. "How annoying! They don't start off strong, but in time their destructive power will be on a whole other level! Scary!"

Freed tried to cut the line again, but it passed through it just like before.

"Kiba, stop complaining!" Saji called out to Yuuto. "Just beat that freak! We can deal with the Excalibur later! This guy's so menacing, I'm shaking in my boots! If we don't finish him here, he'll only cause more problems for me and Kaichou! I'll weaken him by absorbing his power and you can finish him off!"

Yuuto was clearly conflicted by Saji's suggestion. "… I didn't want it to end like this, but I agree that it's for the best. At least there are two other Excaliburs I can sate myself with."

"Ha! I'm stronger than the other two!" Freed laughed. "After you five kill me here, no one will be left to satisfy you! Are you sure you want this? Kill me and you'll never get the Holy Sword battle you desire!"

Yuuto leered at Freed's words.

"Don't listen to him, Kiba!" Luke shouted.

"Hmmm, 'Sword Birth'?" An old man's voice could be heard nearby. "A Sacred Gear with infinite potential, depending on the user, of course."

There was an old man wearing priest robes standing where the voice came from.

"Old Man Valper?" Freed muttered.

Everyone else's eyes widened upon hearing Freed say the man's name.

Isn't that the heretic priest Xenovia told us about? Luke thought.

Yuuto directed a hateful glare at Valper. "… Valper Galilei!"

"The one and only." Valper admitted like it was nothing. "Freed, what are you doing?"

"I can't run away because of this guy's freaky lizard tongue!" Freed answered.

"Hmph, you have yet to perfect your use of the Holy Sword. Use the Factor I gave you more wisely. That is why I have been researching it, after all. Focus the holy Factor within your body to the Holy Sword's blade. After that, you should be able to cut that line with ease."

"Oh, that's it?" Freed's Excalibur began glowing. "Like this! Hyah!"

The tongue from Saji's Sacred Gear was sliced through like it was butter.

"Time to make my getaway! Our next battle will be our last!"

"I won't let you escape!"

Someone zipped past everyone, and Freed was suddenly clashing blades with Xenovia.

"Hiya, guys!" Irina also appeared.

"Irina!" Issei exclaimed.

"Just in the nick of time!" Luke said.

"Freed Sellzen. Valper Galilei. Blasphemous traitors. I will strike you all down in the name of the Lord!" Xenovia declared.

"Don't say the name of that hateful god, you bitch!"

While Freed and Xenovia crossed swords, he took out a ball of light.

"Old Man! We're leaving! We need to report this to the boss, Kokabiel!"

"It would seem we have no other option." Valper replied.

"Bye-bye! Alliance of Church and Devils!" Freed threw the ball of light on the ground.

The entire area was enveloped in a bright flash and Freed and Valper had disappeared.

"Dammit!" Luke growled. "We were so close! Kiba, you shouldn't have hesitated!"

"Let us go after them, Irina." Xenovia said to her partner.

"Right!" Irina nodded.

The Church women sprinted off.

"I'm going after them as well! I won't let you get away, Valper Galilei!"

Yuuto chased after the Church women.

"Kiba, get back here!" Luke shouted in frustration.

Luke was about to pursue Yuuto, but he felt overwhelming power coming from behind him.

"Luke, care to explain what is going on?"

Rias, Melody, and Sona were standing behind them with unpleasant scowls, causing the Pawns to whimper in fear.

"… Destroying an Excalibur…" Rias sighed as she placed her hand against her forehead.

Rias and Sona brought their respective servants to a nearby park, who were all in a seiza position in front of the fountain. Melody had taken Issei elsewhere.

"Saji, you did all of this behind my back? You're such a troublesome child." Sona spoke with a cold expression.

"Aah… I-I'm sorry, Kaichou…" Saji looked like he was scared for his life.

"So, Yuuto went after Valper?" Rias asked.

"Yes." Luke replied meekly. "He's probably with Xenovia and Irina. He'll call us if anything happens… I hope…"

"Do you think a bloodthirsty avenger would call for assistance of his own volition?" Rias questioned Luke's response.

"Well… no…"

Rias then turned to Koneko. "Koneko."

"… Yes?" Koneko replied.

"What were you thinking?"

"… I don't want to lose Yuuto-senpai…"

"We… just wanted the old Kiba back…" Luke confessed.

With their answers, Rias seemed to be more concerned than angry. "It's too late to say this now, but what you two did could have had serious consequences on the Devil world. Did you understand that?"

"… Yes." Luke and Koneko nodded simultaneously and then bowed their heads.

"I'm sorry, President."

"… I'm sorry, Buchou."

There was a loud slapping sound and they saw Saji getting his butt spanked by Sona, her hand coated with demonic power.

"You need to reflect on your actions!"

"Aaaaaaaaaaagh!" Saji screamed in pain. "I'm sorry! Please forgive me, Kaichou!"

"Not until you've received one thousand spankings!"

It was a painful sight that made Luke wince and look back at Rias.

"I've ordered my familiars to search for Yuuto." Rias stated. "After he's located, the entire club will meet him. We'll decide what to do from there. Understood?"

"Yes."

"… Yes."

After Luke and Koneko's confirmation, Rias pulled them both into a hug and they could feel her warmth.

"… You two are really troublesome children. I was so worried…" Rias gently spoke to them and patted their heads.

"Uwaaaaaaagh! Kaichouuu! They wrapped everything up with a hug!"

"That is them. This is us." Sona continued spanking Saji.

Yeah, you're definitely not marrying Council President Sitri anytime soon. Luke thought.

"Now, Luke, it's your turn." Rias smiled with her handed coated in a crimson aura. "It's a master's duty to discipline their servants. You are also receiving one thousand spankings."

… I wonder if Issei's punishment is anything like this.

In the Velvet Suite of Modest Major, Issei had metal cuffs around his wrists, ankles, and neck restraining him to a chair. Melody had finished preparations and went up to Issei with headphones in her hands.

"What… what are you going to do?" Issei asked nervously.

"I'm often told this is the most annoying instrument in the world." Melody spoke with an ominous tone and horrific eyes. "I've had to discipline Akira and Hikaru with this and neither of them did anything behind my back ever again."

The other members of the guild were there as well, including Hikaru.

"What's Ms. Melody planning to do with Issei?" Asia asked with worry.

"There's nothing we can do." Spiral commented. "Hyoudou-kun brought this on himself and now he must pay the price."

Melody placed the earphones on Issei's head and pushed them against his ears as an extra precaution to keep him from wriggling them off. She nodded and Hikaru pressed a button on a remote. When the audio started, the sound of multiple vuvuzelas blared into his ears and Issei started screaming at the top of his lungs.

"GAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! MISAKI-SENPAI! ASIA! HELP MEEEEEEEE!"

Issei couldn't even hear the sound of his voice at its maximum volume, just vuvuzelas.

Rias and Luke returned home after she gave him and Koneko demonic-powered spankings. His rear was so numb that it felt like his cheeks were being poked by dozens of needles. They still haven't heard anything from Yuuto since he chased after Xenovia and Irina. In the middle of the night, as Luke was sleeping with Rias and Annabelle again, they instantly woke up upon sensing an overwhelmingly terrifying presence. Rias jumped out of bed, put on her school uniform with a snap of her fingers and ran out of the room. Luke changed into his dark blue shirt and black jeans and followed Rias outside. When they stepped outside the house, they saw Freed standing outside the gates.

"Heya, Luke! Oh, you seem to be in a bad mood." Freed greeted them. "How are ya? Did I interrupt you two fucking like rabbits? Sorry, I've never been good at reading the room."

That pressure… It's not coming from him.

Luke noticed Rias looking upwards at a figure floating in the sky with his back to the moon. That figure had ten black wings and was wearing an ornate black robe.

"Greetings, daughter of the House of Gremory." The black-winged man smirked. "What beautiful crimson hair you have. It reminds me of your brother. I'm getting nauseated just looking at it."

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Kokabiel, one of the leaders of the Fallen Angels." Rias said back to the man. "My name is Rias Gremory. I will also add that while the House of Gremory and I are the closest to the Great Satan Lucifer, we are also among the most distant. If you're hoping to discuss politics with me, then I'm afraid you won't get anywhere."

"'Kokabiel'?! 'One of the leaders of the Fallen Angels'?!" Luke exclaimed in shock just as Seth and his peerage arrived.

"No way!" Hana gasped after hearing Luke.

"This is bad." Alastair said with an unusually serious tone.

Luke then noticed that Kokabiel had something in his arms, realizing it was a person as he examined it.

"Consider this a gift." Kokabiel tossed the person like a ragdoll towards them.

On instinct, Luke ran to catch the person and he gasped upon seeing who it was.

"Irina!"

Irina was covered in blood and her breathing was heavy, her whole body covered in wounds. She didn't even respond to Luke's cry.

"She and her friends came to my base, so we gave them a warm welcome." Kokabiel stated. "A shame the other two got away."

That means Xenovia and Yuuto are okay for now. Luke thought before turning to Rias. "President, we need to get Irina to Fumiko right away!" His eyes then noticed that something was missing. "What happened to Irina's Excalibur?"

"I'd rather not bother negotiating with a Great Satan." Kokabiel ignored Luke's question. "However, if I kill his dear little sister, that will surely draw his ire. That's not a bad idea."

Rias glared at Kokabiel. "What do you want from me?"

"I'm going to annihilate your territory." Kokabiel joyfully responded. "Starting from Kuoh Academy. That should get Sirzechs's attention, correct?"

"If you do that, there will be another war between the Devils, Fallen Angels, and the forces of God!" Rias claimed.

"Precisely. I thought that Michael would start a war if I stole the Excaliburs… Instead, he just sent some grunt exorcists and a couple of amateur swordswomen. How dreadfully disappointing! I suppose I'll have to lay waste to the home of Sirzechs's sister. Maybe you Devils can provide me with better entertainment. It already sounds fun."

Rias clicked her tongue in anger. "You warmonger!"

"Yes! That's it! I've been bored ever since the Great War ended! Azazel and Shemhazai started focusing more on their Sacred Gear research. Those things are completely useless to us! Those boys' Art Creation and World Ender might be a different story, but they're so rare it doesn't justify the effort spent finding them."

"Are you here for our Longinus, too?" Luke inquired as he tried to maintain his composure with Kokabiel's pressuring gaze on them.

"I couldn't care less about those toys." Kokabiel dismissed the idea. "Azazel or Karlel might be interested."

"'Karlel'?" Rias didn't seem to recognize that name. "Who is that?"

"No matter." Kokabiel continued his rant. "I will start a battle over the Holy Swords, Rias Gremory. The start of the Second Great War! The stage will be the school attended by the little sisters of Sirzechs and Serafall, as well as the only daughter of Sterling Morag. That place must be brimming with demonic power, and I want to relish in the chaos! It's also the best place to release Excalibur's full power! An ideal location for our battlefield!"

"Hyahahaha!" Freed started laughing maniacally. "My boss is the best! He's totally insane! I'm getting eager for this war, too! He even gave me these to celebrate!" He gleefully pulled out an Excalibur with each hand, with two others attached to his belt. "The one on the right is Excalibur Rapid. The one on the left is Excalibur Nightmare. The one on my belt is Excalibur Transparent. I also got Excalibur Mimic from that girl over there. I must be the first person to possess this many Excaliburs! All thanks to the Factor I got from Old Man Valper! I'm in Hyper Mode right now! I feel invincible! Unstoppable! Hyahahahahahaha!"

"After seeing the results for myself, Valper's Holy Sword research is the genuine article." Kokabiel said. "I was honestly suspicious when he joined me."

"What are you planning to do with the Excaliburs?" Seth demanded to know.

With a flap of his ten wings, Kokabiel moved in the direction of Kuoh Academy. "Hahaha! To start the war, Little Sister of Sirzechs Lucifer!"

Freed took out a ball of light to blind everyone and when their sight returned, Kokabiel and Freed were gone.

"We're going to the school right now!" Rias ordered the others. "I'll get in contact with everyone on our way!"

A/N: Next time will be the battle over the Excalibur, followed by the Kokabiel fight. I will probably be adding some stuff to the battles so that everyone can show what they are capable of.

I dropped some additional hints to Fumiko and Akira's backstories, which will get a lot more attention between this arc and the start of the Peace Conference arc.

For Issei's punishment, like everything with Melody, I went with a sound theme and when I looked up the most annoying instruments in the world, vuvuzela was the top one and after hearing what it sounds like… Yeah, I had to go with that. I'm sorry to anyone who plays the vuvuzela, but it is PAINFUL to listen to.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter! Stay tuned for next time!

Luke Harem: Rias Gremory, Annabelle Wright

Issei Harem: Misaki Shirayuki, Asia Argento

Rias Gremory Peerage: Rias Gremory (King), Akeno Himejima (Queen), Yuuto Kiba (Knight), Koneko Toujo (Rook), Fumiko Kazuya (Bishop), Gasper Vladi (Bishop), Luke Sigmund (8 Pawns)

Seth Sigmund Peerage: Seth Sigmund (King), Annabelle Wright (Queen), Alastair Wright (Rook), Emery Belmont (Rook), Hana Sakuya (2 Bishops)

Melody Morag Peerage: Melody Morag (King), Misaki Shirayuki (Queen), Katherine Petrova (Knight), Spiral Hirano (Knight), Azusa Hirano (Rook), Akira Kazuya (Rook), Hikaru Ueda (Bishop), Asia Argento (Bishop), Issei Hyoudou (8 Pawns)