At 2:00 PM, Ethan, Yuuki, Irina Shidou, and Xenovia Quarta bid farewell to the Hyoudou family.
The four of them walked in silence toward the Gremory villa. The two Holy Sword wielders had been shocked to see Ethan and Yuuki at Issei's house, but they had played along to keep the "mundane" atmosphere for Issei's parents.
Inside the villa's reception room, Rias and Akeno met with the two Church agents. As the rulers of Kuoh Town, they had to maintain proper etiquette.
After introductions, Rias got straight to the point. "What brings the Church to Kuoh so suddenly?"
"We are here for the Holy Swords," Irina said, her pigtails bouncing. "The Church holds seven Excaliburs. Aside from one that was lost long ago, the other six were kept in—"
Irina and Xenovia explained the situation. It was exactly as Ethan remembered: three Excaliburs had been stolen by Fallen Angels. However, because of the new peace treaty, the Church couldn't make a public scene or start a war. They had come to investigate secretly, only to be immediately spotted by the local Devil authorities.
"The Fallen Angels in Kuoh have already been purged," Akeno said, handing Irina a document. "There should be nothing here for you to find."
"Just because the Fallen Angels aren't here doesn't mean the swords aren't," Irina retorted, handing back the file. "These records are months old. Can you guarantee no new Fallen Angels have slipped in?"
Akeno fell silent. If they were hiding and not causing trouble, it was possible. The stolen swords were a plot by the war-hawk faction of the Fallen Angels to break the peace treaty. By bringing the swords to Kuoh—where the sisters of the Demon Kings Lucifer and Leviathan resided—any conflict would instantly void the peace.
"Understood. We will assist you in recovering the swords," Rias decided.
"Thank you," Xenovia said. Unlike the bubbly Irina, Xenovia was the lead on this mission and a focused warrior. "Our priority is recovery, but if that's impossible, we are authorized to destroy them. We cannot allow the Fallen Angels to wield them."
Hearing the words "destroy the Holy Swords," Yuuki's eyes lit up. The resentment she felt toward these two girls vanished instantly. Anyone willing to break those cursed blades was a friend in her book.
Xenovia unwrapped the white cloth covering her broadsword. "This is Excalibur Destruction. It specializes in raw power and annihilation."
Irina unwrapped a white cord from her arm. "And mine is Excalibur Mimicry." She demonstrated by turning the cord into a whip and then a katana.
"Wait... can that thing turn into anything?" Ethan asked, eyeing the "Mimicry" sword. "Like... clothes? Pants?"
Irina gave him a weird look. "Technically, yes, but why would I turn my sword into pants? I couldn't fight like that."
"Why not?" Ethan shrugged. "You girls usually end up getting your clothes shredded in battle anyway. Turning your sword into armor or clothes would give you a hell of a surprise advantage."
Irina's face flushed red. "Who gets their clothes shredded?! You're the one who probably likes to fight naked!"
"I have armor for that," Ethan countered. In an instant, the majestic red dragon scales of the Scale Mail covered his body before vanishing just as quickly.
Irina went silent, stunned by the brief surge of overwhelming power. Xenovia stared at Ethan intensely. "So you are the Red Dragon Emperor... have you already mastered the Balance Breaker?"
"Just call me Ethan," he said. "I didn't seek you out just for small talk. I want to help with the swords. You've heard of the 'Holy Sword Project,' haven't you?"
"Yes..."
"Then meet Yuuki," Ethan said, pulling Yuuki forward. "She's the sole survivor of that project. Her goal is to destroy the swords. Since you're willing to break them if necessary, we're all on the same team."
"Wait, recovery is still the primary—"
Ethan cut Xenovia off. "It's a deal. Give us the details. If they're in Kuoh, I'll find them by tomorrow."
Ethan had his own information networks through the Kamine family and the "Shadow" organization he influenced. He didn't want to waste time.
"The thief is a Fallen Angel leader named Kokabiel," Irina explained. "He has three swords: Rapidly, Blessing, and Nightmare."
Ethan listened, sending the key info to his subordinates. Outside, the sun was setting. "It's late. Why don't you two stay for dinner?"
Irina started to refuse, but Xenovia stepped on her foot under the table. The blue-haired girl looked at Ethan with a slight blush. "Thank you. If possible, we'd also like to request a room for the night."
"No problem," Ethan grinned. "We have plenty of space. Pick any room you like."
"One is enough," Xenovia added. "Irina and I will sleep together."
Ethan chuckled and led them on a tour of the villa. He sent Yuuki away, wanting to build some rapport with the new girls.
"This is the end of the third floor," Ethan said, pointing to the stairs. "A word of advice: don't go to the fourth floor unless you absolutely have to."
"Why?" Irina asked curiously.
"Because the entire fourth floor is my personal suite. I usually spend my time there fucking Rias or the other girls. It can get... loud and messy."
Irina's face turned bright red, her eyes darting around with a mix of embarrassment and hidden curiosity. Xenovia, however, remained deadpan.
"Fucking?" Xenovia repeated. She looked Ethan up and down with a regretful sigh. "It's a shame you're a Devil. Otherwise, I'd really like to try having sex with you."
She liked Ethan's looks, his directness, and his power. He was the perfect specimen for "breeding" in her eyes.
"Why let being a Devil stop you?" Ethan smirked. "There's a peace treaty now, remember?"
Xenovia paused, actually considering it seriously.
"Hey! Xenovia!" Irina grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "What are you thinking?! Did you ask to stay the night just so you could get bred by him?!"
"Of course not," Xenovia snapped back. "If you hadn't spent all our travel funds on that useless 'blessed' painting, I wouldn't have to beg for a room!"
"It wasn't useless! It was a work of art! A tribute to God!" Irina argued, clasping her hands and looking like a total religious fanatic.
Ethan thought about telling her that God was actually dead, but he decided against it. Irina was a "pure" zealot; she wouldn't believe him, and it would just cause a headache.