After Irina and Xenovia left, Miki gathered everyo the dining table. She began sharing stories about Issei, how they adopted Asia, and how their little family had grown. Dinner was a warm affair, filled with ughter and reminisg. Afterward, Roxanne said her goodbyes, and Issei apanied her on her way home. They chatted as they walked through the quiet streets, talking about the past, and catg up on what they'd missed over the years. Soon, they reached Roxanne's mansion.

  As Issei turo leave, Roxanne made a barrier and stopped time within it. Issei froze, oblivious to what was happening, and Roxaurned her gaze to his left hand, where his Sacred Gear, the Red Dragon Emperor, y dormant.

  Roxanne's voice was calm but firm. "Ddraig, e out now."

  A voice echoed from the Sacred Gear, deep and gruff. "To be able to stop only my host in time, just to talk to me... Who are you?"

  Roxanne’s usual pyful demeanor faded. A cold smile crossed her lips, chilling the very air. Her eyes glowed red, a fierce aura radiating from her. "You do not have the right to ask questions, dragon."

  Ddraig’s fiery surroundings dimmed, swallowed by an overwhelming darkness. Even for a creature as a and powerful as he, fear gripped him. Before him stood a figure cloaked in bck robes, s king with every movement. The aura she emitted was terrifying, far beyond anything he'd entered. Battle-hardehough he was, this presence made even him want to flee.

  "When Issei seeks power, you will cooperate fully. You will train him, ensuring he handle more of your power. Do not give him anything half-hearted out of ziness." Roxanne’s voice left no room fument.

  Ddraig could only nod vigorously, the weight of her and pressing down on him.

  "Prepare him well, and he may even surpass your rival. Speak of this to no one. If you do..." Her aura darkened further, being a suffog force. "...you will learrue meaning of domination."

  The versation had occurred in the span of a sed, thanks to thought acceleration. In the real world, time resumed. Issei blinked, feeling like something was off, but as he turned back toward Roxanne’s mansion, he saw her already closing the door. Shrugging it off, he headed home, unaware that his night of sleep was about to be interrupted by Ddraig, who had suddenly decided to take his training far more seriously. Not that the dragon was scared or anythiainly not of that woman. No, definitely not.

  When Roxaepped inside her mansion, she was greeted by Lua, her ever-loyal maid. Roxanne smiled at her. "Did you wait long for me?"

  Lua shook her head. "No, Mistress. I just returned after dealing with some stray devils, fallen angels, and exorcists."

  Roxailted her head curiously. "How bad was it for you to e back this te?"

  Lua sighed. "Mistress, some strays had been hiding in this town for almost a year, doing shady business. I had to put ira effort to them up."

  Roxanne blinked in disbelief. "You mean to say strays were hiding in pin sight, ued, for that long?"

  Lua nodded. Roxanne rubbed her forehead in frustration. "Jeez, I khe town was managed poorly, but this...?"

  Lua remained silent, but Roxanne could sense her agreement.

  Roxanne sighed again before perking up slightly. "Hey, want to py some video games?"

  Lua nodded, but added, "Alright, Mistress, but remember—you have school tomorrow."

  Roxanne waved her off with a grin. "Yeah, yeah, I'll be fine." Clearly, she wasn't taking the warning seriously.

  ~ Time skip Tomorrow evening ~

  In the Occult Research Club room, Rias and her peerage were gathered to wele their guests from the Church—Irina and Xenovia. After returning home, Issei had informed Rias about their presence, and a meeting was arranged. Issei, Asia, and the others stood quietly in the background while Rias led the iations.

  Xenovia stepped forward, introdug herself with a firm tone. "It is a pleasure to meet you, sister of the Crimson Satan. My name is Xenovia, wielder of the Holy Sword of Destru—Excalibur Destru." She revealed the sword, still ed in cloth, as she spoke.

  Irina followed suit. "Hey, I'm Irina, wielder of the Holy Sword of Mimicry—Excalibur Mimic." She held up a sword that transformed from a bandage.

  Rias remained posed, her tal. "It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Rias Gremory, heir to the House of Gremory. So, what do the followers of 'God' want from a devil like me?"

  Irina didn’t waste any time. "Out of the six swords uhe Church's prote, three have been stolen by fallen angels."

  Rias raised an eyebrow. "And what does that have to do with us?"

  Xenovia’s response was direct. "We don’t want any interference from devils. This is a matter between the Churd the fallen angels."

  Rias’s aura fred in response. "Is that an accusation? Are you implying we are siding with the fallen?"

  Xenovia met her gaze without fling. "Aren’t the Holy Swords detestable to you as well? Your iions could align with theirs."

  Rias’s anger grew, her demoniergy surging further.

  Xenovia pressed on. "If any of you interfere, we will annihite you without mercy. Even if you are the sister of a Maou."

  Rias ceased releasing her energy, her voice calm but firm. "If you know that much about me, the me make something clear. There is no way I will align myself with fallen angels. I will arnish the name of the House of Gremory or the Satans. A be clear, I have no iion of siding with you either."

  Xenovia nodded in uanding. "Of course. It is enough for us that you promise not to interfere in what happens in this town."

  Rias nodded once more.

  Xenovia and Irina rose from their seats. "Thank you for taking the time to listen to our request," Xenovia said politely.

  Rias offered, "Won’t you stay for some tea before you go?"

  Xenovia deed quickly. "No, thank you. We’re not here to make friends with devils." She turo leave with Irina, but after a few steps, she stopped and looked at Asia. "I’ve been w... aren’t you Asia Argento?"

  Asia, startled, answered softly, "Yes."

  Irina’s memory clicked, and she added, "Oh, you’re the former saint who turned into a witch, right?"

  Asia nodded, her expression clouded with sadness.

  Irina tinued without remorse. "I heard you were banished from the Church because you healed fallen angels and devils. But I hought you’d side with them."

  Asia remained silent, her head bowed.

  Xenovia’s tone grew harsh. "To think a former saint has bee a devil. You’ve really fallen to your lowest."

  Tears welled in Asia’s eyes, and Issei, seeing this, couldn’t hold back. "Hey, that’s enough!"

  Xenovia ignored him, her focus on Asia. "Do you still believe in God?"

  Irina, shocked by the question, interjected. "What are you asking, Xenovia? There’s no way she has any faith left!"

  Xenovia remained calm, unwavering. "I tell when someoill has faith in God. And she’s one of them."

  Asia, her voice trembling but resolute, replied, "Yes. I still believe in God."

  Xenovia’s eyes sharpened as she pulled a dagger from her pouch. "If you truly have faith in God, then take this dagger and execute yourself. Even if you’ve sinned, God may five you."

  At that moment, the tension in the room skyrocketed. Every member of the ORC was livid, and just as Issei was about to shout in anger, a bone-chilling ugh echoed through the room.

  "My, my, isn’t it amusing to see someohrown away by the Church saying such things to a little naive saint."

  Everyourned in shock to see a raven perched on the branear the window, speaking with a sarcastie. The raven casually lifted one of its wings, waving as it spoke. "Howdy! I’m just an audience member for your little py. Don’t mind me. Carry on."

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