After leaving the street, Ryuichi and Asia teleported straight to Rias's castle.
"Are you hurt anywhere?"
Asia's gentle voice carried a faint tremor of concern. She knew just how powerful those two Holy Sword users had been. Ryuichi's calm demeanor didn't fool her—his victory clearly hadn't been as effortless as it looked.
"I'm fine," he said, shaking his head.
Truthfully, Xenovia had pressured him more than he'd expected. If not, he wouldn't have needed to tap into the King's Blade's full capability.
It had been more of a private duel than a real confrontation. Neither side could afford to escalate things—so Ryuichi had merely used one decisive move to gain the upper hand before withdrawing.
In this era, the relationship between Devils, Angels, and Fallen Angels wasn't nearly as hostile as it had been in ancient conflicts.
The centuries-old truce still held firm. Their leaders all valued the balance it maintained; no one wanted to risk reigniting a full-scale war.
That duel, technically, shouldn't have happened at all—unless it involved exiled rogues.
That was part of why Ryuichi's opinion of the Fallen Angels had always been… poor. Among their ranks existed an outlaw unit—the so-called Fallen Exorcists—who hunted Sacred Gear possessors, either murdering them outright or stealing their artifacts.
Both Ryuichi and Asia had once been targeted by that very group. He still carried the scars from it.
How could he not hate them? They had literally killed him once.
If Rias hadn't reincarnated him as a Devil, his "second life in another world" would have ended right there—a cosmic joke with no punchline.
"I should probably report this to Rias," he said.
Asia nodded, and the two entered the crimson halls of the castle. Rias and Akeno weren't back yet, so they waited quietly in the lounge.
Moments later, a crimson teleportation circle flared in the air. Rias Gremory and Akeno Himejima stepped out briskly, their expressions tense.
"Ryuichi! Asia!" Rias rushed forward, her usual composure slipping away. She threw her arms around both of them at once. "You're safe… thank goodness."
"Eh? President…?" Asia looked startled, her face flushed from the unexpected embrace.
"What's going on?" Ryuichi asked.
Rias pulled back enough to look him in the eye, her tone urgent. "You met Holy Sword users, didn't you? They attacked you?"
"Oh? So you already know about them," he said wryly. He had planned on explaining everything himself, but it seemed unnecessary now.
"Akeno and I went to meet with Sona Sitri. She told us that the Church sent two Holy Sword users into Kuoh—and that they were likely near your patrol zone. When we arrived on scene, we found traces of a battle."
Her voice trembled slightly despite the composed words. "Those exorcists are dangerous, Ryuichi. When I saw the damage, I feared the worst. I… I'm really glad you're both all right."
She hugged them tighter, warmth and sincerity filling the gesture. "I'll treasure you both even more from now on."
For a long moment, Ryuichi didn't speak. Then a faint smile tugged at his mouth.
He could feel her worry—the honest affection behind it. Once, before he came to this world, he never would've believed that kind of bond was possible.
But Rias and everyone else had gradually changed him.
His gaze softened. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I'm fine. Sorry to make you worry."
"Hehehe, and Ryuichi even beat those two Holy Sword users!" Asia piped up proudly, her cheeks glowing pink. The image of him standing protectively before her still made her heart flutter—and her eyes sparkled with adoration that was impossible to hide.
"What? You actually beat them?" Rias and Akeno exchanged astonished looks. Neither had truly believed Ryuichi was capable of overpowering Vatican-trained swordmasters.
He shrugged lightly. "They underestimated me, that's all. I took advantage of it. It wasn't a serious fight—no one went all out."
Akeno chuckled, eyes half-lidded and amused. "Fufu~ Looks like we worried for nothing. Ryuichi's growing faster than anyone imagined."
Ryuichi tilted his head. "By the way, what did Sona want to discuss? She mentioned the Holy Swords too?"
Rias nodded. "Actually, it was the Holy Sword users who contacted Sona—and then through her, us. They've requested a meeting here tomorrow. Supposedly, they want to discuss something important."
She didn't yet know what that "something" was. But Ryuichi could tell from her expression that it wasn't a good omen.
"Tomorrow, then," he said simply. "We'll hear them out."
The next afternoon, once classes ended, the Occult Research Club gathered in their familiar clubroom.
Their unexpected guests—Xenovia Quarta and Irina Shidou—arrived on time.
The moment they entered, both froze upon seeing Ryuichi and Asia sitting among Rias's peerage.
"So you two are part of Rias Gremory's team," Xenovia said quietly.
"Have a seat," Ryuichi replied evenly. "After all, we got to know each other the hard way."
He gestured calmly, and Akeno poured fresh tea for everyone. Ryuichi, Asia, and Koneko took seats to the side and listened while Rias faced the two church emissaries.
Rias, still pleased about yesterday's outcome, leaned back in her chair with a playful smile. She crossed one elegant leg over the other, her smooth white skin gleaming against the dim light, her relaxed motion betraying her good mood.
"So," she said, voice feathery but edged with curiosity, "what brings God's faithful servants to a den of Devils?"
Xenovia didn't mince words. "I'll be direct. The Church's three main branches once held seven Holy Swords. One was lost long ago. Of the remaining six—three have recently been stolen by the Fallen Angels."
Gasps filled the room.
Ryuichi's mind instantly jumped to that incident in the spatial rift—the experiment run by Fallen Angels. He remembered Number Two, the boy wielding a Holy Sword.
Rias's eyes flickered knowingly. So this was all connected after all.
"I see," she said smoothly. "So what is it you want from us, exactly?"
"This is a matter between Heaven and the Fallen Angels," Xenovia replied bluntly, her blue eyes unwavering. "If Devils get involved, it'll only complicate things."
Her phrasing was crude, perhaps even arrogant—but entirely in character. She simply didn't filter her thoughts.
Ryuichi sighed deeply. This girl really doesn't know how to talk to people.
After all, she'd already offended Asia once—and now, it looked like she was on the verge of irritating Rias as well.