The moonlight revealed the identities of the two hooded figures staring at us.
Irina Shidou with her usual smile, was standing next to a girl with short blue hair and a serious expression - Xenovia Quarta.
"Amen, the expected visitors have finally arrived." Irina's voice was a strange mixture of joy and dissipation. Her smile contrasted with the seriousness of the atmosphere.
The place was filled with tension, the silence broken only by the faint breathing of those present. The air smelled of rust and mildew, mixed with the foul odor Koneko had mentioned, which even I could smell now. Our eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, and it was then that I noticed something behind the girls - the corpse of an escaped devil, lying in a pool of dark, viscous blood.
"Exorcists... What are you doing here?" Koneko asked in a serious tone as she noticed a cross necklace hanging from Irina's neck.
Xenovia, next to Irina, remained motionless, but her blue-gray eyes watched us with an intensity that felt like a blade against my neck. On her back was a sword wrapped in ribbons.
Irina exchanged a quick glance with Xenovia before answering. "We took care of the problem because the devils in this city took too long." There was a slight provocation in her tone, but also an almost innocent sincerity.
"Private church business." Xenovia added in an unemotional tone. "We only stayed here after we killed that devil because we knew they'd come sooner or later. We're just here to warn the devils in this town not to interfere with our work."
Before I or the others could answer, a sound ripped through the air above us. I raised my head to see Rias Gremory slowly descending from the ceiling, her demonic wings beating softly. She entered through the broken window on the factory roof. Her presence was imposing, especially with her red hair and eyes.
Rias landed gracefully between us and the church girls. "You have no authority to be in demonic territory."
Xenovia raised her hands in a gesture of surrender. "Rias Gremory, Sirzechs Satan's sister... We're not here to cause you any trouble. We even helped you."
Rias crossed her arms and glared at them. "You know very well that there are protocols to follow. Not long ago, we had to kill one of you."
"Are you talking about Freed Sellzen?" "If so, don't worry. We received information some time ago that he was working with the Fallen Angels, so his death means that there's one less heretic in the world." Xenovia replied.
Rias didn't look convinced. "And why are you here? You should know that the presence of exorcists in demonic territory could be considered a threat to the peace treaty."
"We're here for the Excalibur swords." Irina revealed.
Kiba's eyes widened. The Excalibur swords were fragments of an original sacred sword that possessed immense power and was then shattered into seven pieces. The mere mention of it was enough to make Kiba almost trance-like with an obsession.
Rias raised an eyebrow, curious. "Go on."
Xenovia began to explain. "A few months ago, we received information that several fragments of the Excalibur swords had been stolen. Fallen Angels are involved, and we believe they are planning something big. The Church has traced their steps to this city, and our mission is to recover these fragments and prevent them from being used for evil purposes."
Ria's expression softened a bit. "And why exactly do you think these fragments are here, in Kuoh?"
Irina stepped forward. "We have reliable information that one of the leaders of the Fallen Angels is hiding in this city, and that he has at least one Excalibur fragment with him. We are here to track him down and retrieve the fragment."
Rias looked at them for a moment, pondering the information. 'One of the Fallen Angels leaders is still here? Even after I killed one of their servants and threatened them with death? It must be someone powerful to have such courage.' Rias thought.
The expression on her face showed that she was seriously considering what had been said.
"So you're saying that the Fallen Angels are trying to collect the fragments of Excalibur for some purpose?"
"Exactly," Xenovia confirmed. "Among the Fallen Angels, there are those who prefer peace and those who do not. If they manage to gather all the fragments, they could unleash a devastating power that could upset the balance of power and end the current peace. We know that the Gremorys tend to favor peace, so we thought it best to inform them of our purpose in this city."
I could see Ria's mind working quickly, weighing the risks and benefits. Finally, she sighed and nodded.
"Very well. I will allow you to continue your mission here. But you are still in my territory. Any suspicious movement and we'll deal with you the same way we dealt with Freed."
Irina and Xenovia nodded and accepted the terms. Even they, who naturally despised the devils because they were church exorcists, understood that they couldn't fight someone like Rias Gremory.
"Understood... Come on, Irina. There's work to be done," Xenovia said and turned to leave through the back exit of the abandoned factory.
"Wait!" Kiba suddenly shouted at the girls.
The two exorcists turned around with surprise on their faces. Irina, still with a gleam of determination in her eyes, asked: "What is it, little devil?"
"Do you have a fragment of Excalibur with you?" he asked, frowning at her.
Irina opened her mouth to answer, and she probably would have been innocently sincere, but Xenovia quickly interrupted.
"What if we do?" Xenovia asked. "What are you going to do?"
Kiba clenched his fists, his eyes filled with anger. "I will have to take the fragments by force and destroy them."
Xenovia remained serious as she turned towards the exit. "It seems that you, Rias, need to tame your dog better, so that he doesn't act without your permission. If he ends up dead one day, it won't be because of our carelessness."
Realizing the risk of a confrontation, Rias took a step forward and pushed Kiba back.
"Kiba, calm down," she ordered. "Let's let them work for now."
Kiba's eyes went blank for a moment after Rias approached. Then he broke away from her, spread his devil wings and flew out of the abandoned factory.
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NEXT CHAPTERS:
Chapter 80 - Hidden in the Rocks (R-18)
Chapter 79 - Bronzing Oil
Chapter 78 - Beach Volleyball
Chapter 77 - Juggernaut Drive
Chapter 76 - Against Kokabiel (Final Part)
Chapter 75 - Against Kokabiel (Part 2)
Chapter 74 - Against Kokabiel (Part 1)
Chapter 73 - Consequence of Evil Nature
Chapter 72 - My Battle against Raynare
Chapter 71 - Spear of Light
Chapter 69 - The Difference Between the Fallen Angels
Chapter 70 - The Return of Yumma
Chapter 68 - A Demon in a Church
Chapter 67 - Dragon Heart
Chapter 66 - Search Plan
Chapter 65 - Rias Gremory's Bottom Lips
Chapter 64 - The Servant and the Master (R-18)
Chapter 63 - A nun with no regrets (R-18)
Chapter 62 - Surprise from Asia (R-18)]
Chapter 61 - Project Excalibur