Boom!
The door of the Occult Research Club was violently blown open!
Two women in church combat uniforms crashed in heavily, but the moment they hit the ground, they quickly stood up!
Xenovia held her holy sword and looked out of the Occult Research Club with a serious expression.
Hearing Rias's exclamation, she glanced over briefly, then said calmly, "Sorry, Miss Devil from Gremory. I dragged you into this."
After speaking, Xenovia shifted her focus forward again.
This group, whether intentionally or not had clearly been herding them in this direction!
She frowned slightly.
What are they after?
Shido Irina panted, gritting her teeth as she glared forward.
Her holy sword had been taken!
"Damn it!"
Irina shouted angrily, "If I wasn't so hungry…"
"Hahaha!"
"The power of the Holy Sword is incredible!"
A white-haired priest stepped through the broken doorway, grinning madly. The holy sword in his hand was engulfed in blue flames.
Even the aura from it made the devils in the room instinctively feel uneasy.
Except for Lynn, of course.
Rias was startled for only a moment before quickly calming down.
"Akeno, Koneko."
"Yes, President!"
Akeno and Koneko immediately stood up, their expressions serious as they assumed battle stances.
"Oh?"
Freed gave a crazed smile and gripped the Sword in his hand.
"Perfect…"
"I was just thinking these two weren't worth the effort. Now I've got… five devils?"
Freed paused, mentally counting before finally realizing there were five of them.
Xenovia ignored his nonsense and swung her holy sword at him!
Buzz—
Freed grinned, then vanished instantly, reappearing behind Xenovia.
"Watch out!"
Irina's eyes widened as she shouted.
Xenovia's pupils contracted. It was the Holy Sword of Heavenly Flash!
"Lightning strike!"
A cold voice rang out.
Crack!
Golden lightning suddenly struck down, intercepting the blow headed for Xenovia.
"So dangerous!"
Freed quickly changed positions again, then glanced at Akeno.
"Oh? You're definitely a High-Class Devil."
"This lightning's no joke!"
Xenovia retreated to Irina's side and warned, "Be careful. The sword in his hand is a fusion of four Excalibur fragments—the Fused Excalibur!"
After a pause, Xenovia asked, "Miss Gremory…"
"Even though we're enemies…"
"Could you help us destroy that holy sword?"
"Huh?"
Irina was shocked by her words, then blurted out, "You want to work with them?!"
"No."
Xenovia immediately denied it and said, "I'm asking for help."
"Eh?!"
Irina's eyes widened in disbelief. "Ask the devils for help? We're from the Church!"
Was she really asking devils for help?
"There's no choice…"
Xenovia's face darkened.
Even if she brought out Durandal, they still couldn't match the power of the combined swords.
And without her holy sword, Irina was practically powerless.
On top of that…
The legendary fallen angel commander hadn't even shown up yet.
Thinking about it made Xenovia grip her sword tighter.
"Besides…"
Her eyes flickered. "They can't stay hidden now."
"They drove us here on purpose!"
Clap, clap, clap!
Freed applauded her mockingly. "So smart, I'm jealous!"
Rias slowly stood up from the sofa, her eyes cold as she looked at the crazed priest.
"I'll make the church and the fallen angels pay for this."
She crossed her arms as magic flared around her.
But then she glanced at Kuroka. The effects of the earlier purple mist hadn't fully worn off.
Still…
It wouldn't affect her ability to fight.
She raised her hand and fired a destructive magic bullet at Freed!
Freed grinned and didn't even bother dodging, swinging the holy sword in his hand.
Slice—
The magic attack was cut cleanly, like tofu!
Rias was momentarily stunned. "Impossible!"
"That holy sword is extremely dangerous for devils."
Xenovia said, "Just in case, I'll be the main attacker. Please assist me."
As soon as she finished speaking, a thick, blue greatsword wrapped in chains materialized out of thin air.
The moment she grasped the hilt, the chains shattered with a snap.
"Oh?"
"Holy Sword Durandal?"
Suddenly, a cold voice echoed from above.
Boom!
An explosion erupted from Kuoh Academy!
The shockwave blew off the roof of the Supernatural Research Club entirely!
Rias was stunned.
In the distance, a massive spear of light had pierced into the ground.
The gymnasium had been completely leveled, leaving a massive crater in its place.
Rias looked up into the sky.
One, two, three, four, five pairs of black wings. A man in ornate robes floated in the air, arms crossed, his blood-red eyes staring coldly down.
A terrifying pressure blanketed the entire academy!
"No…"
The overwhelming aura made it hard to breathe.
"This is our first meeting, daughter of Gremory."
"Such beautiful red hair."
Kokabiel sneered. "It reminds me of your annoying brother. Makes me want to puke."
"Kokabiel…"
Rias trembled, her hands shaking.
This was her first time facing someone of this legendary level.
As expected… terrifying! But…
Her gaze sharpened. She was the heir of Gremory!
"What's your goal?"
"Hmph."
Kokabiel's red eyes glinted coldly. "If you die…"
"Sirzechs will definitely avenge you, right?"
Rias's eyes widened. "You're trying to start a war between devils and fallen angels?!"
"No, no, no."
Kokabiel shook his head and grinned cruelly, revealing sharp teeth. "Not just devils and fallen angels."
"I'm starting a war between devils, fallen angels, and angels!"
"You lunatic!" Rias yelled.
"Hmph!"
Kokabiel said disdainfully, "We could've won the last war!"
"That bastard Azazel was too obsessed with sacred gear research!"
"So now, I'll start the war again!"
Upon hearing this, Rias didn't hesitate.
She unleashed her destructive power at full force!
Buzz—
A massive purple magic circle formed in front of her.
Boom!!
Her full-power attack as a High-Class Devil exploded forward!
Akeno didn't hold back either!
She knew Rias alone wasn't enough!
Buzz!
Golden lightning fell from the sky, striking toward Kokabiel!
"I'll help too!"
Xenovia stepped up, gripping Durandal!
In the next instant, a brilliant holy light cannon fired toward Kokabiel!
Three powerful attacks flew at him.
But Kokabiel just sneered, raising a giant magic circle.
Boom!!
The combined attacks from three High-Class Devils struck the barrier!
Kokabiel simply waved a hand.
The attacks were instantly extinguished.
Seeing this, Rias's face turned grim. This…
This enemy was completely beyond their capability!
Whoosh—
Akeno and Xenovia panted, clearly having used up all their strength.
Xenovia couldn't help but doubt.
Could she and Irina really take back the King's Sword from this monster?
Wasn't this just delusion?
Despair crept in.
Kokabiel looked down and said, "Gremory's daughter, your destruction magic is nowhere near your brother's."
Rias clenched her teeth, eyes full of rage.
Kokabiel didn't care. He looked at Xenovia and said, "Durandal. A fine sword."
"But…"
"It all comes down to the wielder's skill."
Then his gaze shifted to Akeno.
"Oh?"
"Baraqiel's daughter, reduced to a devil…"
At the mention of her father, Akeno clenched her fists tightly.
Kokabiel sneered and continued to evaluate each of them like they were mere insects.
Then he yawned. "Freed, I'll leave the rest to you."
These people weren't worth his time.
"Yes, Boss!"
Freed stuck out his tongue, face twisted in a grin.
"Ahahaha, devils and church working together to refine my new holy sword!"
"How wonderful!"
With a gleam in his eyes, Freed charged and slashed the King's Sword toward Rias!
Her pupils shrank. She tried to summon magic again—but stumbled!
All her energy had been drained in the last attack!
Powerless!
She was the next head of the Gremory family!
Was this really how she would fall? She...
She hadn't even broken her engagement yet!
She hadn't even been with the person she liked yet...
The image of Lynn suddenly surfaced in her mind.
At that moment, Lynn said, "Kuroka."
"I'm here, nya~"
In the next instant, Kuroka appeared in front of Rias, golden pupils shining with danger.
Facing the downward slash of the King's Sword, she remained calm.
Buzz—
A purple barrier unfolded. The sword struck it with a crisp sound. But!
Doubt flashed in Freed's eyes.
Could his Fused Excalibur not cut through something?
This was the fusion of four Excalibur fragments! But—
Before he could react, a wave of gray flamesformed from pure immortal energy and corrupted demonic power, rushed toward him!
Freed's pupils shrank. Just as he tried to activate the Holy Sword of Heavenly Flash.
He couldn't move?!
"Ahhhhhh—!"
"My soul! My soul is on fire!!"
Freed's head exploded as he screamed!
Bang!
The Fused Excalibur dropped to the ground.
The next second.
Freed was completely burned to ashes.
Both body and soul erased!
Everyone present froze.
Rias stared blankly at Kuroka's back. "Kuroka…?"
Just then, on the sofa.
Lynn's calm voice rang out.
"So, Rias…"
"What do you think of my suggestion now?"
Everyone turned toward the source of the voice.
A black-haired, red-eyed man sat on the sofa, sipping black tea leisurely.
(To be continued.)