(TILL NOW)
Xenovia spoke sternly, her voice laced with the weight of authority. "The higher-ups don't trust devils and fallen angels. We were ordered as, 'If the holy-swords are taken away from God's side, then the devils would also be happy, right? The fallen-angels would also profit from it. For those reasons, it won't be weird for them to form an alliance. That's why we are giving you a warning. If you form an alliance with the fallen-angels, then we will eliminate you all. Even if you're the little sister of the Maou," she continued, her words carrying a chilling finality.
(BACK TO THE STORY)
After delivering this ultimatum, both Xenovia and Irina rose from their seats. The tension in the room was palpable, and the two exorcists made their intentions to leave clear. However, just as they were about to exit, their attention was drawn to a figure in the room—Asia.
"When I saw you in Hyoudou Issei's house, I thought that maybe it was you. Are you the 'Witch' Asia Argento? I never expected to meet you in a place like this," Xenovia said, her voice softer but still tinged with suspicion.
Asia's body trembled upon being called a "Witch." The word held painful memories for her, and it was a label she had struggled to escape. Irina, too, had caught on to Asia's discomfort and fixed her gaze on the young woman.
"Are you the rumored 'witch'? The former holy-maiden? You are said to have the power that can also heal devils and fallen angels, right? I heard that you were sent somewhere after getting exiled, but I never thought you became a devil," Irina inquired, her curiosity evident.
Asia stammered, struggling to find the right words. "...Ummmmm...I...I......"
"It's okay. I won't tell the higher-ups what I saw here, so rest assured. People who were around the 'Holy-maiden Asia' will also get shocked as well," Irina reassured her, sensing the distress in Asia.
Asia wore a perplexed expression in response to Irina's unexpected understanding. But then, Xenovia's tone shifted, and her questioning turned more pointed.
"But to become a devil. The one who was called a 'Holy-maiden.' You fell to the lowest place you could. Do you still believe in our God?" Xenovia asked, her voice tinged with a mixture of judgment and disbelief.
Irina chimed in, her tone incredulous. "Xenovia, there's no way that she, who became a devil, still believes in God."
Xenovia, however, seemed to possess a keen intuition. She peered at Asia with sharp eyes and said, "No, I can smell the 'belief' from her. It might be an abstract way of saying it. But I'm sensitive to these things. There are people who betray the teachings and still have guilt within them because they couldn't forget the teachings. I can feel something similar coming from her."
Irina, now even more intrigued, continued to scrutinize Asia. "Is that true? Asia-san, you still believe in God even if you have turned into a devil?"
Asia replied to that question with a sad expression, her voice filled with longing. "...I just can't put it aside. I believed in it for my whole life..."
Hearing Asia's response, Xenovia drew her sword from its sheath, and her movements were deliberate as she pointed it at Asia.
"Is that so," Xenovia said coldly. "Then you should be cut down by us this instant. If it's now, I can cut you in the name of God. Even if you have sinned, our God will forgive you."
Before anyone could react, a sudden intrusion shattered the tense standoff. Riser Phenex, the host of the Phoenix, stepped forward, his voice ringing out with authority and fury.
"THAT'S ENOUGH! YOU CAME TO MY CITY UNINVITED. YOU INSULT MY WIFE. YOU THREATEN MY PEOPLE WITH DEATH!" Riser roared, his very presence causing the room's temperature to rise as his Phoenix flames flickered dangerously.
Xenovia, though taken aback by this unexpected turn of events, retained her composure. "Are you saying you are willing to start a fight with the entire church?" she taunted, a smirk playing on her lips.
Riser's voice dripped with venom as he responded, "I will rip apart every member of the church if I have to."
Irina, standing just behind Xenovia, couldn't believe the madness unfolding before her. "Madness... this is madness. No one threatens a member of the church," she whispered in disbelief.
But Riser was undeterred, his anger unabated. He bellowed, "Madness... THIS IS DEVIL TERRITORY!" With a swift and powerful front kick, he sent Xenovia and Irina tumbling into a magic circle that had appeared on the ground, created by the sheer force of his fury.
As Xenovia and Irina found themselves ensnared by the magical barrier, the room crackled with tension and uncertainty. The clash between the church's exorcists and the devil noble had escalated beyond anyone's expectations, and the fate of Asia Argento now hung in the balance.
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End
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