Chapter 11

The rest of the Occult Research Club's time spent at the Hyoudou residence goes by relatively quietly. When the meeting finally ends Kiba and Koneko both say their farewells and depart, Issei and Asia choosing then to prepare to hand out fliers that evening. Watching them Yubelluna wears a slight smile on her face, the older devil choosing not to attend the meeting of the Occult Research Club.

Watching Issei getting ready to take Asia out on his bicycle Yubelluna doesn't say anything, Issei already explaining to Riser's former Queen that he is going to take the former nun out on his bicycle because he's afraid for her and worried that something bad might happen to her.

"You know...there aren't many devils that would go out of their way to help another newly reincarnated devil like you are..." Yubelluna explains to him, Issei shrugging his shoulders indifferently.

"I'm worried about Asia-chan." Issei explains to the Bomb Queen. "She doesn't know anything about the world because of how she grew up, so I have to do what I can to protect her."

"Like sleeping with her?" Yubelluna asks pointedly, Issei's face darkening in embarrassment.

"It isn't like I made her do anything!" Issei tries to argue. "If it wasn't for Buchou and Raynare I doubt she would've done anything. She just keeps looking at Buchou like she's Buchou's rival..."

Grinning Yubelluna can understand exactly why Asia would view Rias in the way she does.

"Well, I can't really blame her." Yubelluna replies. "After all, the way Rias looks at you, plus with that Fallen Angel of yours..."

Knowing that she's talking about Raynare Issei's eyes drop, his gaze shifting away from Yubelluna as discomfort plays across his features.

"I..." Issei trails, and Yubelluna sighs.

"She's the one who killed you, when you were still human, right?"

"Yeah..." Issei agrees with a nod. "She was my first girlfriend, the first girl to show any interest in me at all, and then she stabbed me...I would've done anything for her, and she..."

His hands balling into fists Issei doesn't want to say any more.

"I understand." Yubelluna replies quietly. "Though, you don't have to worry about female attention now."

"This is different." Issei replies in denial. "Buchou only slept with me so she wouldn't have to marry Riser, and Asia only did it because Buchou did, and Raynare just wants to do things that make me happy..."

"And Akeno?" Yubelluna asks, Issei sighing tiredly.

"I don't know what she sees in me..." Issei trails, looking down at his left palm.

"Did something happen between the two of you?"

Nodding Issei doesn't want to tell Yubelluna about Akeno's heritage. As far as he knows it is Akeno's darkest, deepest secret, something she despises about herself so much that she would willingly reincarnate into a devil just to try and rid herself of her Fallen Angel heritage. Unfortunately for her reincarnating only made her half devil and half Fallen Angel.

"Yes, but I'd rather not talk about it." Issei replies.

"I see..." Yubelluna replies. "Well, it isn't all that uncommon for a devil to share a secret with his significant other or his servants."

"I'll be down in a second Issei-san!" Asia calls from the second floor of the house.

"You know...you could have your Fallen Angel pass out the fliers for you." Yubelluna explains to him. "I'm sure she'd be more than happy to help you out."

Shaking his head Issei doesn't want to do that.

"This is something I have to do as a Devil." Issei explains solemnly, Yubelluna smiling at his response.

He really is an interesting character…

XXX

Walking upstairs Akeno has just seen Issei and Asia out for flier duty, Rias Gremory's Queen knowing that her Master is in the shower, Yubelluna and Raynare allowing the crimson haired princess first use of the facilities. Ever since the 5 girls moved into the Hyoudou Residence arrangements had to be made and one of those arrangements was they had to decide on shower use and set times. Though Rias can use the shower in the Occult Research Club room she likes using the one in the Hyoudou Residence, and has made more than one invitation for Issei to join her.

Asia didn't like that. She immediately volunteered that if Issei was going to be joining her in the shower then she was going to join in as well. The problem with that being that the shower isn't really big enough to hold three people, and neither Issei nor Rias is all that interested in having an uncomfortable shower together with Asia.

Akeno on the other hand knows that she has to be more subtle with her attempts to get some alone time with her boyfriend. While she currently holds the title of his girlfriend she knows that Rias would gladly usurp the title from her in a heartbeat.

Walking past Issei's bedroom door Akeno stops, Yubelluna standing in the room her eyes looking toward Issei's bed sheets.

"Ara-ara..." Akeno trails as she walks into the room, Yubelluna looking over her right shoulder toward her. "What do we have here?"

"I...I was curious..." Yubelluna replies a bit defensively. "You three are always sharing this bed with him and I was trying to figure out how the four of you squeeze onto this bed..."

"Ufufu...are you thinking about joining us?" Akeno asks playfully, Yubelluna's cheeks darkening at the insinuation.

"N...NO!" Yubelluna scowls.

"Well, if you did I'm sure Issei-kun wouldn't mind."

"We...we'd suffocate him..."

Smiling Akeno doesn't disagree with Yubelluna's statement.

XXX

The next day the Occult Research Club has a training session, a 'Ball Tournament' coming up between the various school clubs meaning each club has to know how play various kinds of sports that involve a ball, even if the club itself has nothing to do with sports. Playing baseball Rias taught each of them how to play, Rias hitting the ball to each of them Kiba had been distant. He'd been zoned out the entire time, and even took a baseball to the face without even making a move to dodge it. For someone who can move with blinding speed, it isn't possible for a baseball to come at him too fast. He simply just wasn't paying attention.

Issei can only guess that it has something to do with the picture he saw and the Holy Sword, but Kiba hasn't said anything more about it.

The next day at lunch Issei tells Matsuda and Motohama that he has too go to the club room after school, in practice for the ball tournament. With Yubelluna joining the school Issei hasn't told his only friends about his relationship with her, or that he's going to die in roughly a year's time.

How am I supposed to tell anyone? 'Hey, I'm gonna die in a year because of that thing I did in my match with Riser.' Yeah, right...I doubt that Buchou and the others would take the news well either…

XXX

Later that evening Issei walks into the club room to find the Student President and one of the members of the Student Council in there with her. Meeting the two of them Issei finds out that the guy that came with the Student Council President is her newest servant and a Pawn like Issei. Saji though only consumed four pieces, unlike Issei that consumed all eight. Afterward they'd gone on to the Devil's job that night.

The next day is the Ball Tournament, the Occult Research Club's match happening later in the day Rias first has a match involving her class, and she happens to be playing against the Student Council President. Watching the Tennis match Issei is very happy watching Rias and Akeno wearing a tennis skirt, Saji cheering for Sona while Issei cheers for Akeno.

After the Tennis match Issei learns from Rias that the Occult Research Club is going to be playing dodge ball.

Standing on the dodge ball court Asia has changed into a new uniform and Bloomers, telling Issei that she thought that Issei would enjoy seeing her wearing them. Unfortunately as the match begins Issei is quick to find out that all the opposing players are aiming at him. Thanks to Matsuda and Motohama spreading rumors about him the entire school thinks that he's some sort of erotic devil that's corrupted two of the school's idols and even defiled Asia and is having gay sex with Kiba. Yuuma has her own following as well, so naturally no one aims for anyone but him, Kiba protected because all the girls will hate anyone that tries to hurt him.

"Kill him! Hit him in head now!"

Jumping and dodging the entire baseball team tries to tag Issei with a dodge ball, all their throws aimed at his head. For a seeming eternity all the dodge balls fly at Issei's head. Fortunately Koneko manages to catch a few and toss them back, eliminating a few of the opposing players before one of the taller guys gets his hand on the ball.

"I don't care if the girls hate me, eat this Pretty Boy!"

Throwing the ball at Kiba Issei doesn't think for a second that Kiba is going to get hit by the throw, but as the seconds tick by Kiba just stands there, Issei realizing that the blonde knight is in his own world again, and not paying attention to the ball flying at his face.

"Hey, wake up Kiba!" Issei shouts to his comrade, the White Dragon Emperor jumping in front of the ball to protect his friend.

"Ise-kun?" Kiba mutters, surprised by his friend stepping in front of him suddenly.

Somehow the shot suddenly dips, the large red ball dropping down and slamming right into Issei's 'special place.' Pain shooting through him Issei grabs his crotch with both hands as he collapses to the ground.

The other members of the club rushing to him Rias helps Issei up at Koneko grabs the ball that hit the silver haired devil.

"Ise-kun!" Akeno cries out in worry.

"Ise-sama!" 'Yuuma' cries out at the same time.

"B...Buchou...my balls..." Issei mumbles incoherently.

"We've got the ball Ise. Now it's our turn to hunt down the person that did this to you..."

"Ara-ara...Buchou, it seems like another ball is in very serious condition."

"No! Asia! Come here and help Ise. I'll be in trouble if that becomes useless in this situation."

"Did Ise-san get hurt?" Asia asks and Rias nods.

"Yes, his important part. Can you heal him behind the building?"

"Important part? I guess but I'll do my best!"

"Koneko, can you take Issei there?" Rias asks, Koneko nodding.

"Affirmative."

"Sorry Buchou..." Issei mumbles.

"I'm going too!" Akeno tries to join,

"Me too!" Yuuma insists, and Rias shakes her head, denying them both.

"We need you both to win and take revenge on the people that did this to Ise." Rias says, Akeno and Yuuma nodding reluctantly.

Koneko grabbing him by the collar she literally drags him by the collar around the back of the building. Tossing him into a heap Asia moves to try and help him, though his crotch is still killing him Issei doesn't want to have to explain what is wrong with him.

"I'll start healing you, so please show me where you're hurt." Asia offers, and Issei shakes his head in denial.

The last thing he wants to do is pull his pants down and show Asia his 'special place.'

"No, I can't..."

"What are you saying? If you don't show me where you're hurt then I can't help you!"

She's so sincere that Issei doesn't want to try and trouble her.

"Just use your powers around my hips and that should be enough..."

A green light suffusing Issei's hips Koneko sighs tiredly.

"A situation I can't describe with words..."

Asia's light fading she moves from her position at his side to near his head. Picking up his head Asia places his head on her thighs…

"Asia-chan!?" Issei asks, and Asia smiles down at him.

"You looked really happy when Buchou did this for you, but maybe I'm not good enough..."

"That's not true!" Issei replies. "Thank you so much Asia-chan!"

Lying there Issei can hear the announcement that the Occult Research Club has won their match.

XXX

Later Rias slaps Kiba, telling him that he needs to wake up and stop acting so distant. Unfortunately Kiba is less than receptive to Rias' punishment, the Knight begging off of the Devil's Job for that evening. Watching him Issei approaches him, not sure what is going on.

"You know I'm worried about you?" Issei asks, and Kiba looks at him curiously.

"Who worries for who? It's normal for devils to live how they want. Though I'm at fault for not listening to Buchou this time..."

"Don't we have to cover each others weaknesses?" Issei asks. "We are comrades after all."

"Comrades huh?" Kiba asks, and Issei nods.

"Lately I've started to remember things...like why I'm alive."

"Why?" Issei asks, and Kiba stares him down.

"I'm living so I can seek my revenge against the Holy Sword Excalibur."

XXX

Walking home after club activities that day Rias isn't with Issei, Asia, Yubelluna and Raynare. The President of the Occult Research Club said she had something to do and told us to go home without her. On the way home Raynare asked to stop and buy some things that she needed, Issei and Asia more than happy to agree. Spending nearly an hour at the market Raynare buys all sort of things, including but not limited to some new racy underwear and even a few movies. Approaching the house Issei doesn't feel anything strange as he walks into the house. Going to her room Raynare drops off her things before she starts to work on dinner, Issei's mother spotting him as Raynare goes up the steps.

"Oh Issei! You'll never guess who stopped by earlier..."

His mother telling him all about the 'boy' from next door that turned out to actually be a girl Issei has no idea that she's currently an Exorcist working for the Church.

XXX

Walking into the club room Issei is walking with Kiba, Asia, Raynare and Yubelluna. He'd met up with Yubelluna and Kiba after class, and now the five of them walk to the club room together.

Rias sits around the coffee table, Akeno standing behind her a pair of people in white cloaks sit across from her. Feeling the air in the room a feeling of fear fills Issei, a large object next to the taller of the two hooded people giving off a feeling of fear for Issei, some part of him recognizing the object's intrinsic danger to him.

Walking into the room Kiba blinks in surprise, his features showing recognition rather than fear, Issei wonder what's going on as Rias looks up from the conversation.

"Ah, everyone..." Rias offers in greeting, both of the hooded persons turning toward them.

Both are girls around Issei's age, one has blue hair with streaks of green in it and a larger frame with a bigger chest. The other has a smaller build but she's a brunette, her hair tied into pig tails.

"Ah!" The brunette exclaims in surprise. "Issei-kun!"

Blinking in surprise Issei doesn't recognize the girl, or know how she could possibly recognize him. Reaching up both girls remove their hoods, showing their faces. Both are very pretty, though Issei doesn't recognize either of them.

"Irina...so this is your childhood friend?" The blue haired one asks curiously.

"Ah, how terrible Xenovia!" 'Irina' pouts. "To think that my childhood friend would grow up and become a devil after I moved to England! This certainly must be a trial from God, Amen!"

At the sound of her praying Issei feels a slight headache form, all the other devils in the room feeling the same.

"Wait..." Issei mumbles, pointing to Irina. "You're the boy I used to hero-play with!?"

Smiling Irina nods.

"Yep. It isn't all that surprising that you thought I was a boy. I used to be a big tom boy when I was younger."

Blinking Xenovia's eyes drift to Asia.

"I recognize you..." Xenovia trails. "You're the Holy Maiden that was kicked out of the church for your heresy. The 'Witch' Asia Argento."

Blinking Asia's gaze falls to the floor, shame coloring her body language.

"Hey! Don't talk about Asia that way!" Issei comes to her defense. "She just wants to help people! What's wrong with that?"

Xenovia turning her gaze to Issei her eyes are cold.

"Helping people is always applauded, but helping devils cannot be condoned." Xenovia replies. "Devils deserve to be exorcised and destroyed, and any power that would heal them cannot be from our Lord."

Balling his hands into fists Issei doesn't like the way this Xenovia talks about Asia and what happened to her. As far as he is concerned Asia's treatment from the church is terrible and these two exorcists should be apologizing to Asia for what happened to her, not condemning her. In her position Issei can easily understand why Asia would choose to reincarnate and become a devil.

"What do you know about what Asia-chan has been through?" Issei growls.

Reaching for the wrapped package Xenovia doesn't like the tone of Issei's words.

"Would you like me to exorcise you right now, you filthy devil?"

"Hey, hold on!" Rias stands up, trying to play peacekeeper.

The last thing Rias wants is for one of her servants to be exorcised or kill an exorcist from the Church.

"That's a holy sword, isn't it?" Kiba finally breaks his silence, stepping forward, his eyes on the wrapped thing next to Xenovia.

Nodding the blue haired woman's eyes show her surprise at Kiba being able to tell that the white wrapped package is in fact a Holy Sword.

"Yes, it is, Excalibur Destruction."

"And I've got Excalibur Mimic." Irina comments.

Huh...Excalibur Destruction and Excalibur Mimic? I thought there was only one of them?

"Is that so?" Kiba asks, his hands balling into fists. "I want to defeat you both..."

Narrowing her gaze Xenovia's hand grips the wrapped package.

"Is that a threat, Gremory Devil?"

"There won't be any battles here!" Rias finally puts her foot down. "Yuuto, you aren't to attack either of these Exorcists."

His eyes dropping from Rias the blond devil nods reluctantly.

"...As you wish, Buchou." Kiba replies stiffly.

Xenovia's eyes drifting to Issei her gaze is still hard.

"What about you?"

"Uh, I've said what I wanted to say!" Issei comments, holding both hands up defensively. "I don't want to fight or die."

He already knows that a Holy Sword would deal tremendous damage to him, and any wounds, even just a graze would take much longer to heal and the pain would be incredible.

"OK then." Xenovia relaxes, her hand drifting away from the wrapped object.

"Well, either way, we're here to do our job, and we don't want you devils interfering, so please stay out of it." Irina explains to them all, Rias nodding for the assembled devils.

"We will." Rias explains matter of factly, both Exorcists choosing then to pick up her package and heft it against her shoulder.

"If you ever want to be exorcised, don't hesitate to call me Issei-kun. Amen!" Irina offers, and Issei steps aside, Kiba, Yubelluna and Asia following his lead.

The two Exorcists departing Irina closes the door behind her after she leaves.

"Well, that went terribly." Rias sighs, sitting down and picking up a cup of tea on the table in front of her.

"Buchou...what are those two people doing here?" Issei asks, and Rias sets her cup down, sighing again.

"Not long ago three of the Excaliburs were stolen from the church by Fallen Angels." Rias explains to them. "The church tracked them to this area, and has sent multiple priests to retrieve them, but each agent they sent has died."

"So those two are the latest attempt to get the Excaliburs back?" Kiba asks, and Rias nods.

"That's right."

"Raynare, do you know anything about the Fallen Angels trying to steal the Excaliburs?" Rias asks, and Raynare blinks in surprise.

"We always were interested in them, though Azazel-sama didn't have any interest in them." Raynare explains. "He was always more interested in Sacred Gears, but Shemhaza-sama and Kokabiel-sama were always interested in consolidating power."

"Why?" Issei asks curiously. "The Fallen Angels seem like they're strong enough as is."

Shaking her head in denial Raynare knows that the truth is far from what Issei believes to be true.

"The truth is the Fallen Angels lost a lot of their numbers during the war, and they haven't been able to convince many Angels to Fall, so their numbers have been stagnant ever since the end of the war."

"So they're interested in the Holy Swords to try and do more with less." Rias explains, and Raynare nods.

"Precisely." Raynare agrees. "Kokabiel-sama especially wants to try and acquire the Holy Swords. He's been bored ever since the war ended and wants to try and start another war."

Blinking Rias' eyes go wide at Raynare's words.

"And the rest of the Fallen Angels are fine with that?" Rias asks, and Raynare shrugs.

"Azazel-sama is more interested in Sacred Gears and spends most of his time researching them, Shemhaza-sama practically runs the organization, though Barakiel-sama is involved as well."

At the mention of the word Barakiel Akeno's expression sours, her lips turning down in a frown.

Why is she frowning like that? Does she have some connection to this Barakiel?

Rias momentarily glancing toward Akeno the two of them lock gazes, the frown disappearing from Akeno's face a moment later.

I'll have to ask her about it later when we're in private...

"Buchou..." Issei begins, holding up his hand, trying to change the subject. "I have a question! I've ready about Excalibur, but I've only ever read about one sword. Are there multiple Excalibur swords but only one was written about?"

Rias shaking her head no the Gremory heiress smiles at the change in topic.

"No, there was only one sword hundreds of years ago but the original blade was shattered a long time ago and the pieces were reforged into seven new swords using alchemy. Even though they're all a part of Excalibur they're all still very powerful Holy Swords and each one is easily capable of destroying a devil."

"I thought all Holy Swords could do that though..." Issei trails, and now it's Yubelluna's turn to answer.

"They can, but the Excaliburs are above and beyond a regular Holy Sword. Each Excalibur has a different property, one can destroy things when it's swung, another can turn invisible, another can change into any type of sword, another can move very quickly. Then there's the Holy Spear..."

"Holy Spear?" Issei asks, and Yubelluna nods.

"It's a Sacred Gear called the True Longinus, the same spear used to wound Jesus Christ when he was on the cross. From what we know it's currently in Heaven's possession. Sacred Gears that can kill a god like your Divine Dividing borrow from it's name, they're referred to as Longinus Gears like the Spear."

"I see..." Issei trails, both Issei and Asia having never heard of a Longinus gear or anything about the Holy Spear.

"That's right." Rias agrees. "Anyway, all of you are now forbidden from getting involved with those Exorcists or their mission. As Devils we can't afford to get between the Church and Fallen Angels."

Nodding every devil in the Occult Research Club agrees, except for one…

XXX

Watching Kiba walking down the street Issei does his best to keep out of sight, Yubelluna following him wearing a dark business suit, Raynare following in her Yuuma disguise wearing her Kuoh Academy uniform. The blonde Knight had been quiet the entire time and he hadn't nodded when Rias ordered them all not to become involved in the Exorcist's mission. He also hadn't been all that surprised when Rias told them about the Priests dying in this area.

So, Issei decided to have him followed. Yubelluna had her familiar stake out his apartment and told her when Kiba departed and now the three of them follow him through the town, Kiba stopping at a park and looking around, his eyes shifting left and right, as though he were searching the area for something. Watching him Issei can't fathom what Kiba could be looking for…

"Ise-sempai..." A familiar, emotionless voice comes from right behind Issei.

Nearly screaming in surprise Issei turns around to see Koneko standing there, her expression staring at him inquisitively.

"Ah...Koneko-chan...don't scare me like that..." Issei tries to laugh, but the chuckle is forced and heavily strained.

"What are you doing?" Koneko asks, and Issei reaches up and scratches the back of his head.

"Showing Yubelluna-san around the city?" Issei half asks, and he can tell that Koneko doesn't buy it.

"Liar." Koneko sees through Issei's lie immediately. "I'll just call Buchou and tell her what's going, then maybe you'll..."

"No! Please wait Koneko-chan!" Issei suddenly begs, the threat of getting Rias involved enough to squeeze the truth out of Issei. "The truth is I'm worried about Kiba, so we're following him to see if he's going to do something he shouldn't."

Her hand on her cell phone in her blouse pocket Koneko leaves the device where it is, her hand coming out of the pocket empty.

"I'm worried about Yuuto-sempai as well." Koneko replies quietly. "I know that he has some history with Holy Swords, but I don't know anything beyond that."

Issei glancing toward him Kiba starts walking again, Issei not wanting to let the blonde knight out of his sight.

"Well, I was thinking we could approach those Exorcists and offer to help them destroy one of the three stolen Excaliburs." Issei offers.

Looking at him Koneko's expression is tranquil. If she's at all surprised by Issei's suggestion then she doesn't show it.

The reason Issei wants to offer to help destroy an Excalibur is because Rias explained to him that Kiba hates Holy Swords, Excalibur in particular. He died as a human because of it, and now harbors a desire for revenge against the Church and the Holy Swords.

"He's moving..." Raynare comments, the four of them following Kiba as he walks down the street.

"If you want I can order my familiar to go searching for those Exorcists. It shouldn't take all that long for her to locate an Excalibur, even if it's power is being suppressed." Yubelluna offers.

"Sure, go ahead." Issei agrees, Yubelluna smiling.

"All right then."

XXX

Following Kiba around for over an hour a small orange and black bird flutters down on Yubelluna's shoulders, the purple haired devil silent a moment before she turns her attention toward Issei.

"I've found those Exorcists, so if you want to get that blonde pretty boy involved, you can do it now."

Nodding Issei steps forward.

"Hey, Kiba!"

XXX

"Please give a blessing to this lost lamb..." Irina pleads, both she and Xenovia standing on a sidewalk, begging for money.

"How can this be? Is this really a developed nation like Japan? This is why I hate nations that don't smell of our beliefs..." Xenovia comments.

"Don't say that Xenovia!" Irina scolds. "We lost all the money we had so we have to rely on charity..."

Looking at them Kiba sighs tiredly.

"I can't believe I spent all day looking for them only to find them begging like this..." Kiba mumbles.

"It's only because you bought that fake painting!" Xenovia accuses, and Irina blinks in surprise.

Pointing at a badly drawn painting even Issei can tell that the painting is most likely a fake. It doesn't even look like it was drawn all that well…

"What are you saying? This is a painting of someone who looks like a Saint!" Irina tries to argue.

"Then who is it?" Xenovia asks. "I certainly don't know."

"I...I think it's Saint Peter..." Irina replies.

The two of them beginning to argue Issei turns his gaze toward Kiba.

"Do you wanna just leave them here to starve to death?" Issei half asks, and Kiba slowly shakes his head no.

"Pathetic as they may look they're my best chance at fulfilling my dream..."

Nodding Issei sighs before he starts walking toward the two of them, the two devout believers still arguing even as the people passing by give them strange looks, parents grabbing their young children by their shoulders and hurrying them along, lest they get involved with the two strange people arguing loudly in public.

XXX

Xenovia and Irina shoving food into their mouths Issei is suddenly very glad Koneko offered to help pay for the food for the both of them.

"We've both fallen, having to rely on devils!" Irina sobs.

Watching them inhaling food Issei decides that he's going to force Kiba to introduce him to one of his hot female clients. All of this is for Kiba after all, though Issei doesn't know if he'll manage to convince the two exorcists to allow them to destroy one or more of the stolen Excaliburs.

Once they were both done eating Xenovia takes a drink from her cup before settling her gaze on Issei.

"So, why did you seek us out?"

"You came to this country to retrieve the stolen Excaliburs, right?"

"Of course. We told your master that before." Xenovia replies, Kiba sitting quietly, both he and Issei agreeing to let Issei do the talking.

"We want to help you destroy the Excaliburs that were stolen." Issei explains.

For a long moment neither of them says anything. Rather both Xenovia and Irina share a look, the two of them looking at one another for a seeming eternity to Issei as the both of them contemplate the young devil's offer. If they both agree it will help to give Kiba some semblance of vengeance and help him to move on.

"Maybe it's OK to leave one of the swords to you guys." Xenovia agrees. "Though, you have to make sure not reveal your identities. We don't want the higher ups in the Church knowing that we were connected with you guys."

Nodding both Issei and Kiba can understand that. Were it to get out that the two of them were openly and willingly working together with Devils the both of them would likely be excommunicated and cast out.

"Are you sure that's all right Xenovia? Even if he is my childhood friend, he's still a devil."

Nodding Xenovia doesn't seem flustered by Irina's statement.

"Honestly it will be really hard to retrieve the three Excaliburs and defeat Kokabiel on our own. Our minimum objectives are destroying the three swords or taking them back. Even if we use our trump card we still only have a thirty percent chance. I'd like to increase those odds as much as possible, so we'll borrow the power of the Dragon. Our superiors shouldn't have any trouble with that."

Obviously she's talking about me...Issei thinks to himself.

"So, with the power of a Heavenly Dragon that's supposed to rival that of God, it shouldn't be hard for one of them to break an Excalibur."

Nodding Issei doesn't know if he can do it on his own, but powered up he'll probably be able to. He can only hope that his abilities are enough to actually help them succeed.

"Though...it's strange. You said you wanted to defeat us both, Kiba was your name, isn't it?" Xenovia asks, and Kiba nods.

Sighing Kiba tells his story, explaining that he was killed as a part of the Church's Holy Sword project to try and create people that can wield Holy Swords out of normal people that don't have any talent for wielding them.

"I see...after that incident the one in charge was charged with heresy and now he's working with the Fallen Angels."

Quirking an eyebrow Kiba's interest is obvious.

"What's his name?" Kiba asks.

"Balba Galilei. The one also known as the 'Genocide Archbishop.'" Xenovia explains.