"...If I go after the Fallen Angels, then maybe I can reach him...?"
Kiba's voice was quiet, but the resolve behind it was sharper than any blade. His eyes, once dulled by grief and rage, now burned with new determination. Just knowing the name of his enemy seemed to steady him—give him purpose.
Xenovia and Irina exchanged glances, their expressions solemn but approving. They gave him small nods of acknowledgment, as if to say, "So you've found your path."
Kiba straightened his back and spoke again, more formally this time. "As thanks for telling me the truth... I will share information as well. A few nights ago, I was attacked. The man wielded an Excalibur. During the fight, he killed a priest. Judging by his actions, the one who was killed must have been from your organization."
He paused, eyes narrowing like a blade about to cut. "The name of that man is Freed Zelzan. Does this sound familiar to you?"
Both Xenovia and Irina stiffened, their expressions shifting instantly. It was almost frightening how quickly the air grew heavy around us.
"I see," Xenovia murmured, her tone low and full of distaste. "So it's him."
Irina's lips curled as if she had bitten into something rotten.
"Freed Zelzan," Xenovia began, her voice sharp as steel. "Former exorcist of the Vatican. He was hailed as a prodigy—a genius who took up the blade at thirteen and was declared a full exorcist before most even finished training. He racked up countless achievements: slaying devils, purging mystical beasts, and completing missions most would never survive."
There was no admiration in her tone—only bitterness.
"But he went too far. Always. His bloodlust outstripped his faith. He killed without restraint, sometimes even his allies. Freed never believed in our God, not truly. He was consumed only by battle instinct and killing intent, obsessed with violence to the point of madness. The Church tolerated him until they couldn't anymore. Eventually, he was charged with heresy and stripped of everything."
I whistled under my breath. "So even the Church kicked him out, huh? That's saying something."
My thoughts, however, weren't nearly as light. He's hated by everyone, aaah. I really need to finish him off quickly and take the Fused Excalibur before they do.
Across the table, Xenovia's expression hardened, her hands clenching into fists. "Is that so? Then Freed is using a stolen Excalibur to murder our own. To think that we have to pay the price because the disposal group couldn't deal with him back then..."
The venom in her tone was obvious. Xenovia hated Freed in a way that went beyond duty. I could feel the anger in every word. Honestly, the guy really had a lot of enemies. Not that it mattered—he wouldn't be around much longer if I had my way.
"Anyway," Xenovia said at last, shaking her head as though to dispel her rage, "let's move on to the cooperation strategy."
She pulled out a pen and a small memo pad, scribbling something down before tearing off the page and handing it to us. "This is my contact information. If something happens, call this number immediately."
"Appreciate it," I said with a nod. "Then we should give you ours—"
"No need," Irina interrupted with a cheerful smile. "We already received Ise-kun's number from Oba-sama."
I blinked. "...Of course you did."
Xenovia stood, brushing the crumbs of her meal off her lap. "Then that's that. I'll repay you for this meal another time, Sekiryuutei Hyoudou Issei."
Her tone was stiff and formal—like a knight who still didn't quite like the idea of sharing a table with a devil.
Irina, however, beamed brightly as she followed suit. "Thanks for the food, Ise-kun! Treat me again next time, okay? Even if you are a devil, I'm sure God will forgive it if it's you who's buying me a meal! Food transcends everything!"
She gave me a wink that was so innocent and playful it almost made me laugh. Is it really okay for your faith to be that loose...?
We watched the two of them leave, and only then did everyone let out a long collective sigh of relief.
Fuuuu... that actually worked out. Honestly, I thought that plan was reckless as hell. For a second, I was sure they'd cut me down with Excalibur right there in the middle of the restaurant. If I'd said the wrong thing, we could've sparked a war between Devils and the Church. Not exactly the kind of "bold" I wanted to be...
"...Ise-kun."
Kiba's voice cut through my thoughts. He was looking at me, his face unreadable, his tone low. "Why did you do this?"
I raised a brow. "Do what?"
"This," he gestured faintly toward the door where the two Church girls had left. "Negotiating, involving yourself, taking risks... Why?"
I leaned back, folding my arms. "Well, we're comrades, right? Part of the same group. And you've helped me before. It's not like I'm repaying a debt or anything, but... I thought I'd give you a hand this time."
He narrowed his eyes. "If I acted alone, I would have caused trouble for Buchou. That's the real reason, isn't it?"
I smirked. "Of course. You know how she is. Buchou would be heartbroken if you went rampaging on your own. I mean, yeah, I kind of went ahead with this plan without her knowing, which will get me in trouble later. But it's better than you turning into some exile, right? And hey—it worked. We struck an agreement with the Church girls."
Kiba still didn't look convinced. His lips tightened into a thin line. Man, this guy's tough to crack...
Then, unexpectedly, Koneko spoke up.
"...Yuuto-senpai."
Her small, flat voice carried more weight than usual. All eyes turned to her.
"I would get lonely... if senpai disappeared."
The words hung in the air like a thunderclap. Koneko's expression didn't change much, but there was a softness there, a vulnerability that wasn't normally visible. Seeing her, usually so stoic and unshakable, looking sad—that hit like a punch to the gut.
"...That's why," she continued quietly, her catlike eyes shimmering just faintly, "I'll help you. So please... don't go alone."
For a second, even I was speechless. My heart skipped a beat. It wasn't even directed at me, but hearing those words, seeing that rare side of her—it was enough to send my pulse racing. Damn it, Koneko, you're too cute when you're serious like that.
Just then Koneko looked at me. Her nose twitched as if she smelled something.
But Kiba or I didn't notice that as Kiba stared at her, wide-eyed, clearly taken off guard. Then, slowly, a small smile spread across his face, the kind that came from deep inside. He let out a soft laugh. "Hahaha... I give up. If Koneko says that to me, then I can't afford to be reckless anymore. Alright. I'll work with you all. Thanks to Ise-kun, I know my true enemy now. And if we're doing this, then we're going to destroy the Excalibur. All of them."
"Ise-senpai, you smell funny." Koneko said.
~~~
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