The afternoon sun poured through the tall windows of the Occult Research Club, filling the room with warm light.
The soft clink of teacups and the rustle of turning pages were the only sounds disturbing the peaceful atmosphere.
Rias sat behind her desk, reading through a report while Akeno calmly poured tea.
Koneko had claimed one of the sofas, a book resting across her lap as she dozed.
Nearby, Asia leaned toward Issei, speaking to him in a low voice.
The door opened.
Yuuto Kiba stepped inside.
“President.
Our visitors have arrived.” Rias placed her teacup on the table and looked toward the door.
“Please, come in.” Two young women entered.
The first walked with the disciplined posture of someone accustomed to combat.
Her long blue hair was tied high behind her head, while a sword case rested across her back.
Her amber eyes moved across the room, quietly taking in everyone present.
“I am Xenovia Quarta,” she introduced herself.
“An exorcist from the Holy Sword Project.” Beside her stood a cheerful girl with short brown twin tails.
Her bright smile seemed almost out of place in the quiet room.
“I’m Irina Shidou.
Nice to meet you.” For a moment, nobody spoke.
Rias studied the two newcomers carefully.
So these are the people Rafsan mentioned.
Her gaze shifted between Xenovia and Irina.
She wondered briefly if either of them could be the person Rafsan had referred to as his wife, but neither girl mentioned him.
Then Irina’s eyes landed on Issei.
Her expression changed instantly.
“…Issei?” She froze before rushing forward and hugging him without thinking.
“I can’t believe it’s really you!
You’ve gotten so tall!” Issei blinked in surprise.
The sudden embrace had caught him completely off guard.
For a moment, he remembered the child she had once been.
The memory felt distant, but seeing her again brought it back.
“Irina…
it’s been a long time.” She stepped back and looked him over.
“You’ve changed.” “So have you.” They shared a laugh, and for a moment, the years between them seemed to disappear.
“I used to race home after school,” Irina said.
“You always lost because you’d stop at every toy shop.” “Hey!
That only happened a few times!” Issei protested.
“And you cried when you scraped your knee.” “I did not!” “You absolutely did.” Akeno chuckled softly.
Even the corner of Koneko’s mouth twitched upward.
But Irina’s cheerful expression gradually faded as she looked at Issei more carefully.
“You’re a devil now?” The atmosphere immediately changed.
Irina’s eyes swept across the room before stopping on Asia.
Her expression hardened.
“…Asia Argento.” Asia rose from her seat and bowed politely.
“It’s been a long time.” Irina gave her a curt nod.
“I heard rumors.” “I’m no longer with the Church,” Asia said.
“I can see that.” The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
“You chose to stay with devils.” Asia didn’t flinch.
“I did.
I’ve met kind people here.
They accepted me.” Irina frowned.
“The Church taught us that devils tempt people away from God.” Asia glanced toward Rias and the others before answering.
“That’s what I believed once.
But after living here…
I realized that devils can be just as kind as anyone else.” Irina opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
Rias decided to intervene before the conversation became more heated.
“I think the introductions are done.” Xenovia stepped forward without comment.
She placed a black case on the table and opened it.
Inside were several photographs.
“These are the seven Excalibur fragments.” Rias leaned forward slightly.
“There was once a single Holy Sword known as Excalibur.
After it shattered, it was reforged into seven blades.
Each possesses a different power.” Xenovia tapped the photographs one by one.
“Excalibur Destruction.
Excalibur Mimic.
Excalibur Rapid.
Excalibur Nightmare.
Excalibur Blessing.
Excalibur Transparency.
And Excalibur Ruler.” Rias’s expression became serious.
“They’ve been stolen?” “Most of them,” Xenovia replied.
“By whom?” Akeno asked.
“A former Church scientist named Valper Galilei.” Akeno’s smile disappeared.
Issei’s expression darkened.
Xenovia continued.
“He led the Holy Sword Project.
Working with him is Freed Sellzen.” “Freed?” Akeno repeated.
“The same man.
He left the Church long ago.
He’s unstable, violent, and kills for sport.” Irina’s brow tightened.
“He claims to serve God, but his actions disgrace the Church.” Rias folded her hands.
“Why come to us?” “Intelligence places the stolen blades somewhere in Kuoh Town.” Xenovia inclined her head.
“This is Gremory territory.” “No,” Rias replied firmly.
“We aren’t beholden to the Church.” Silence followed.
Rias continued before either girl could respond.
“But if people wielding Holy Swords start fighting in my town, civilians will get hurt.
I won’t take orders from Heaven.
However, if our goals happen to overlap, I’ll help.” “That’s all we ask,” Xenovia said.
“Then tell us everything.” Xenovia began explaining what they knew.
The missing swords.
Valper’s movements.
Freed’s involvement.
The investigation had already revealed several connections, but there was one final piece of information that changed the atmosphere completely.
“The fragments might be used to recreate the Holy Sword Project.” A sharp crack suddenly split the room.
Everyone turned.
Yuuto Kiba stood frozen.
The teacup in his hand had shattered.
Pieces of porcelain lay scattered across the floor, tea slowly spreading between them.
The easy smile that normally rested on his face was gone.
Something cold had taken its place.
“…The Holy Sword Project,” he whispered.
Kiba drew a shaky breath.
“Valper Galilei is still alive.” Xenovia and Irina both took a cautious step backward.
Rias noticed the exchange between them and Asia.
Whatever reservations they still had about Asia, neither openly attacked her.
“Kiba…” Rias began.
Kiba clenched his fists.
He was struggling to keep his emotions under control.
“I watched friends die because of that project.” His voice trembled with barely restrained anger.
“They treated children like disposable tools.” The room fell silent.
“If I ever meet those responsible again…” He stopped.
He didn’t finish the sentence.
He didn’t need to.
His clenched fists said enough.
— On the roof of an abandoned building overlooking Kuoh Town, two figures stood watching the city below.
The wind swept across the rooftop, carrying the distant sounds of traffic through the evening air.
Valper Galilei stared down at the town.
“Our research is almost complete,” he said.
Beside him, Freed Sellzen gave a quiet chuckle.
“This town’s about to become very entertaining.” Neither man noticed the distant figure watching from another rooftop.
The game had already begun.
It really helps the story reach more readers.