Riser's Mansion (While Riser was still at Kuoh Academy)
Irina opened her eyes, finding herself in a luxurious room, confusion enveloping her like morning mist. She examined the surroundings, trying to decipher the opulent details around her. "Where am I?" she whispered to herself, her mind struggling to recall the events that led her here.
Merlin appeared, and upon noticing her, Irina questioned, "Miss Merlin, how did I get here?" Irina expressed her perplexity.
Merlin greeted Irina with a gentle smile. "I found you unconscious in an alley. I decided to bring you to Riser-sama's house. I hope you're feeling better now," explained Merlin, maintaining a serene posture.
Irina, upon hearing Merlin's explanation, furrowed her brow, trying to remember the previous events. "Unconscious?" Irina murmured, confusion etched on her face. Her mind sought to understand the events that led her to such a state, while uncertainty hung in the air.
Merlin, still smiling serenely, responded, "It seems something unexpected happened along the way. But I'm relieved to have found you in time. Now, relax and recover."
Irina, still a bit dazed, thanked Merlin for her kindness. "Thank you for taking care of me. But please, what exactly happened? Why was I unconscious in an alley?"
Merlin replied with a reassuring tone, "Don't worry, Irina. The important thing is that you're safe now. Let's set aside the past and focus on your recovery."
Irina, still a bit confused, agreed with a nod. "Yes, you're right. Thank you for taking care of me, Merlin."
Merlin smiled again. "It's my pleasure, Irina. If you need anything, I'll be around. Rest and recover fully."
While Merlin moved away to the living room, Irina lay on the bed, allowing the confusion in her mind to gradually dissipate. She closed her eyes, trying to retrieve the lost memories that escaped like smoke.
Xenovia, entering Riser's mansion with Erza, noticed Merlin in the living room. Her eyes fixed on her, and Xenovia didn't hesitate to address the issue that intrigued her.
"Merlin, where is Irina? I don't see her around here," Xenovia asked, her tone laden with concern.
Merlin, noticing the unease in Xenovia's eyes, offered a reassuring smile. "Irina is resting in one of the rooms. She needs to recover. If you want to talk to her, I can take you there."
Xenovia, relieved to know Irina is safe, nodded with gratitude. "Yes, I'd like to talk to her. Can you take me to the room?"
Merlin snapped her fingers, creating a magical portal that opened instantly. "Certainly, Xenovia. Enter the portal, and it will take you directly to the room where Irina is resting."
Xenovia, without hesitation, walked through the portal created by Merlin. She found herself instantly outside Irina's room, ready to address her friend.
Riser, accompanied by his Peerage, emerged in the center of a circle of dancing flames. His eyes scanned the room, seeking Xenovia's presence.
"Erza, where is Xenovia?" Riser asked, his voice echoing with authority.
Erza, maintaining her firm posture, responded without hesitation. "Xenovia went to talk to Irina. She is resting in one of the rooms."
Riser, satisfied with the information, nodded. "Great. Let them talk freely. After that, I will speak with them."
Erza, obeying Riser's order, stepped back, allowing him to settle on the sofa in the living room. Nana, Shizuku, and Yubelluna remained by his side, awaiting further instructions.
Meanwhile, outside the room, Xenovia knocked gently on the door before entering. She found Irina lying on the bed, her eyes lighting up upon seeing her friend.
"Irina, how are you feeling?" Xenovia asked, her voice filled with concern.
Irina, upon seeing Xenovia, offered a weak smile. "I'm a bit confused, but Merlin said she found you unconscious in an alley. What happened?"
Xenovia entered Irina's room, noting the confused expression on her friend's face. "Irina, how are you feeling?"
Irina offered a weak smile in response. "I'm a bit confused, but Merlin said she found you unconscious in an alley. What happened?"
Xenovia hesitated for a moment before sharing the news. "Riser defeated Kokabiel. He saved all of us during the battle."
Irina, surprised and happy with the news, expressed her relief. "That's amazing! Riser really did that? I'm so grateful to him."
However, Irina noticed that Xenovia's expression was mixed. "Xenovia, why does it seem like there's more? You shouldn't be happy with that news?"
Xenovia sighed before revealing the unsettling information. "There's something else you need to know, Irina. God is dead."
Irina, initially shocked, reacted with disbelief. "What? Are you kidding me? God can't be dead."
Xenovia maintained a serious look. "It's not a joke, Irina. Something happened, and now God is dead. I don't know all the details, but it's the truth."
Irina, feeling a mix of emotions, spoke in disbelief. "This can't be true! You're lying to me, Xenovia!"
Xenovia held Irina's hand, trying to convey the seriousness of the situation. "Irina, I'm not lying. It's a reality we need to accept."
Irina, frustrated and determined, stood up from the bed. "I can't accept this. We need to go to the Vatican right away. We must inform the church about this tragedy."
Xenovia, maintaining her stance, said firmly, "I'm not going back to the church, Irina. And more, I have something else to tell you. I decided to join Riser's Peerage."
Irina, surprised and disappointed, stared at Xenovia. "What? You're betraying the church? Why would you do that?"
Xenovia explained with determination, "With God dead, I have no reason to continue in the church. So, I decided to ask Riser to accept me into his Peerage."
Irina, indignant, responded, "Xenovia, this is betrayal! How can you abandon our sacred principles?"
Xenovia held her ground. "Irina, the world is changing. We need to adapt. Riser has power and resources that may be crucial in this new scenario."
Irina, with an expression of disbelief, retorted, "Are you willing to sacrifice your faith and loyalty for mundane power? This is unacceptable!"
Xenovia, firm in her choice, replied, "The church can't offer me what I need now. And honestly, I see no point in blindly following ancient traditions."
Irina, frustrated, crossed her arms. "I'm going to the Vatican to report on God's death. You do whatever you want, Xenovia. But I can't follow this path."
Xenovia, maintaining her determination, said, "Go ahead, Irina. I have my reasons. I hope that one day you'll understand."
Irina left the room, leaving Xenovia alone.
Riser observed Irina descending the stairs with anger, her gaze focused and determined. Intrigued, Riser approached her.
"What happened, Irina?" Riser asked, noticing the intensity in the young woman's expressions.
Irina, maintaining her firm posture, responded to Riser. "I've decided to go back to the church. I can't follow the path Xenovia chose. But before that, thank you for defeating Kokabiel and saving us."
Riser, respecting Irina's decision, instructed Merlin. "Merlin, open a portal to Italy. Irina needs to return to the church."
Merlin promptly created a magical portal, waiting for Irina to step through. Irina looked at Riser before entering the portal.
"Take care of Xenovia," Irina said with a serious look at Riser, expressing her concern for her friend.
Irina stepped through the portal, disappearing from Riser's mansion.
Determined to clear things up, Riser went to talk to Xenovia.
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