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"The Templars themselves could have never stolen those blades. They are extremists. Fanatics. Even if they came in force to take the Excaliburs, there would be an equal number of our own exorcists waiting for them and willing to defend the holy swords with their lives. Even with Valper and Freed's help, it should not have been possible."
"We believe the main culprit is still out there," Irina said and Rias nodded in agreement, "and we think he or she is a very powerful being."
"You have proof?" Kiba asked. His tone did not seem nearly as cold as it did two nights ago.
"The Excaliburs were guarded by some of our best exorcists," Xenovia grimaced, "The vaults were protected by dozens of warriors who had been trained since birth. Whoever stole the swords killed them so quickly that they didn't even have a chance to draw their weapons," anger shimmered under the surface, "We found the bodies. They were not clean deaths."
"We knew some of those people," Irina said softly.
Looks of sympathy passed around the room.
"Which is why we must remain vigilant," Rias said, "We can expect the same sort of mercilessness if our foes choose to reveal themselves."
"Perhaps even more so," Sona pointed out, "Their first attempt failed. They will be ruthless to ensure the second attempt is successful."
"The Church has ordered our withdrawal," Xenovia shook her head, "The Excaliburs are in safe hands, and to them that is all that matters. But we will not leave until the real threat is exposed and dealt with. At the very least we can try and avenge the fallen."
"But if there is no threat," Irina murmured, "if it turns out it was just a guess, we can come out looking very bad in this. Our superiors do not excuse tardiness, especially if there is no reason behind it."
"It is the same for me," sighed Rias, "My brother believes me, but he is among the few. Devil society has always been political, and there are many family heads who desire Sirzechs's position. Already I have heard that some are attacking him for listening to me and putting our military force on standby," this was the first time he had seen her so bitter. It did not suit her, he decided, "Favoritism, they call it."
"Politics have no room in a situation like this," Xenovia huffed.
Rias smiled at the exorcist.
"On that, we agree."
A silence fell, hushed and poignant. They seemed to be mired in their own thoughts. It was Irina who broke it, her eyes settling on him.
"They want to meet you."
Both Rias and Akeno frowned. Sona looked at him knowingly.
"The Church that is," the girl explained, "They want to meet the one who called forth Uriel. Most of them at least. There is… resistance… to that idea from some."
"From the same ones who wanted to send an army to retrieve the swords," Xenovia said humorlessly, "The mission they decried as a failure from the start was successful, so they are now grasping at straws to cover their shame. Some of them have suggested that the summoning of a false Uriel could be construed as blasphemy."
He found that amusing in a dark, ironic way.
"But we helped you!" Issei cried out, "Without us, you would have never gotten the Excaliburs back!"
"Yes," Irina smiled in the boy's direction, "And we are grateful for that. But the Church is a very large organization made from many different factions. Most of them are reasonable and are just as grateful as us. Some of them though are radical and their views are very narrow-minded. Those are the ones who are suggesting this," the girl looked at her fellow exorcist meaningfully, "Nor have we escaped from their judgment. They would say that we are blasphemous too for working with devils."
"They aren't going to hurt the two you or Arisato-san, are they?" Asia spoke up, her expression concerned, "When I was still a Sacred Maiden, my only duty was to help the people. I never saw what happened behind the scenes. I didn't know it was this complicated."
"The Church would like you to remain ignorant about that fact. They like to present a unified front when in reality they are quite fractured," Xenovia shrugged, "The nature of politics is ruthless. When added with faith, it becomes even more ruthless."
"I would not put it that far," Irina said softly. Turning, she nodded to Asia, "And you shouldn't worry. The extremists are small faction compared to the moderates. They cannot directly influence the main body through numbers. The only thing they can do is veto proposals, but that is something they are very good at. It is why the Knights Templar have not yet been excommunicated. Every time the proposal is put up to debate, the extremists band together and vote it down," she sighed, "A lot of the bad things you hear about the Church doing, we are just as ashamed of them as you are. But we cannot punish people without a majority agreeing to do so. And more often than not, those who committed crimes are protected by the radical factions who either have some vested interest in the criminal or are just bribed. Even with Valper," the exorcist glanced sideways towards Kiba, "his excommunication was a barely passed thing. Those same factions that are now saying we are blasphemous voted against the motion. To them, there is no such thing as a crime as long as it's done under the name of God."
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