Chapter 24: United Front

"Mmm, feels good, Koneko-chan."

Koneko's massaging my shoulders. With all the recent stress, it's heavenly.

"Never thanked you for training me, Issei-senpai. Ask anytime; I'll do it."

Koneko's being so sweet! Usually, it's just her sharp retorts or flying debris. I'm touched!

"By the way, you were ogling those two when they took off their robes."

Ugh, busted!

As expected of Koneko-sama, always watching me.

I glance at Asia. "You okay?"

Xenovia was harsh to her. I'm worried.

"I'm fine. You protected me, Issei-san."

"Good."

She smiles, and I relax.

"But I was so worried you'd get erased!"

"Sorry for scaring you, Asia."

"It's okay! As long as you're safe!" Her smile's blinding.

Guess I worried her instead.

"Wait, Yuto!" the president's voice rings out.

She's furious, trying to stop Kiba as he walks away.

"You're my precious knight! I won't let you become a stray!"

"I'm grateful you saved me, President, but my comrades helped me escape. I have to avenge them."

"Yuto!"

She grabs his arm. I stand and intervene.

"Let him go, President."

"Issei!? What are you saying!?"

She's understandably upset. I calm her down.

"Kiba's mind is consumed by revenge. He won't listen now."

"Issei…"

I turn to Kiba. "Remember what I said? Think hard about what really matters. Then come back. We'll be waiting."

He leaves the clubroom silently.

I can't just do nothing. Excalibur's bad enough, but Kokabiel's involved a real threat. The president would stop me, so I'll act alone.

First, I track Irina and Xenovia's holy aura through town.

There they are.

"Alms for lost lambs!"

"Have mercy in the name of the Heavenly Father!"

Two girls in white robes pray on the street, drawing odd looks from passersby.

Found them, but… I don't want to approach!

I'll look like a weirdo too! What are they even doing? What about Excalibur?

"This is Japan's reality? No one helps. I hate faithless countries," Xenovia grumbles.

"Don't complain, Xenovia. We're broke and have to do this. We can't even eat!" Irina says.

"It's your fault for buying that scam painting."

Xenovia points to a poorly drawn picture of some guy.

"What!? The exhibit guy said it depicts a holy figure!" Irina protests.

"Why is she my partner? Lord, is this a trial?" Xenovia sighs.

"You're such a downer."

"Shut up! We need food, or we can't reclaim Excalibur."

They sigh in unison, stomachs growling loud enough for me to hear. They collapse.

Not the fierce girls I fought yesterday.

I don't want to see two girls collapse on the street.

"Not God's hand, but a demon's will do."

Twenty minutes later, I'm regretting this.

"Delicious! Japanese food is amazing!" Xenovia exclaims.

"Family restaurant menus are my soul food!" Irina adds.

They devour plate after plate at the diner. Over ten dishes stack up, and the waiter brings more.

Where do their slim bodies store it all?

"Why are you crying, Issei?" Irina asks.

"My wallet…" I mumble.

Their meal's draining me dry.

Dear Biblical God, teach these two restraint before faith.

"Sorry, can you get the jumbo parfait next?" Xenovia asks.

Still eating!?

Minutes later.

"To be saved by a demon… the world's gone mad," Xenovia says.

"We sold our souls to a demon!" Irina cries.

After I paid!?

"Lord, have mercy on kind Issei!" Irina makes a cross.

A headache hits. "Irina, stop! I'm a demon!"

"Oh, right. Habit." She giggles cutely.

They're gorgeous when they're not… like this.

"Why'd you approach us?" Xenovia cuts to the chase.

She's sharp.

"I want to help destroy Excalibur."

They're shocked.

"Didn't we agree demons stay out?" Xenovia asks.

Fair point. I'm contradicting yesterday's deal.

"Two reasons. You want Excalibur destroyed rather than in fallen angels' hands, right?"

"Yes. Better destroyed than used by them," Xenovia confirms.

"First, Kiba, my knight, wants to destroy Excalibur to avenge his comrades."

"Our interests align there," Xenovia nods.

"Second, I don't want my childhood friend to die. Fighting Kokabiel alone, you'll lose. You know it."

"…True. Irina and I can't win. Retrieval's unlikely. Survival odds are under thirty percent. Your help would be huge."

Irina objects. "Xenovia, he's a demon!"

Time for my trump card.

"If a demon's no good, how about a dragon?"

"What?" Xenovia reacts.

"I'm the Red Dragon Emperor."

They're floored. The title carries weight.

"That dragon aura… and defeating Irina so fast… You're the Red Dragon Emperor," Xenovia realizes.

"So, deal?"

"Fine. I'll report we had a dragon's help."

Yes! Deal secured.

Phew, my wallet's sacrifice wasn't in vain.

'Roundabout way to do it,' Ddraig remarks.

Yeah, but getting their okay avoids trouble later. Plus, we might get info.

Kokabiel's too tough without Balance Breaker.

'Still needs time. Your Balance Breaker's… unique,' Ddraig says.

Figured.

'It's not ready. Sorry, partner.'

No worries. I'll manage.

"Let's go. Gotta find Kiba."

I head to the register and freeze.

"9,650 yen!?"

My wallet screams.

After leaving the diner, I contact Kiba and head to the meeting spot with Irina and Xenovia. He agrees to meet once I mention them.

At the location…

"Koneko-chan? Saji? Why are you here?" I ask.

Not just Kiba, but Koneko and Saji too.

"I was looking for Yuto-senpai," Koneko says.

"I heard from Koneko and helped search for Kiba," Saji adds.

Koneko was worried too. Saji's a good guy, despite our rough start.

"Why are you with them, Issei-senpai?" Saji asks.

Ugh, inevitable question. Koneko's too sharp to fool.

With Kiba here, I'll be honest.

"Actually—"

I explain everything.

Saji's eyes nearly pop out. "What!? Hyoudou, are you insane!?"

"Didn't expect this when I couldn't reach you," Koneko says.

They're stunned I'm helping destroy Excalibur. Understandable.

Kiba and Xenovia are glaring at each other.

"Having Excalibur users approve its destruction feels wrong," Kiba says.

"If you were a stray, I'd cut you down," Xenovia retorts.

Guys, we're allies now. No fighting.

"I get why you hate the Holy Sword Project. It's despised even among us. The project's leader was branded a heretic and exiled," Xenovia says.

"Balpa Galileo, the 'Archbishop of Slaughter.' He's with the fallen angels now," Irina adds.

The project's mastermind joined them?

"Balpa… He killed my comrades." Kiba pauses. "Thanks for the info. I'll share some too. I met a guy with an Excalibur Freed Sellzen."

Freed. I knew he wasn't dead, but he's in this mess?

Xenovia and Irina narrow their eyes.

"So it's him," Xenovia says.

"You know him?" I ask.

"Freed Sellzen, a genius exorcist at thirteen. He slayed demons and beasts, but went too far, killing allies. He was exiled as a heretic," Irina explains.

"Exiled church members teaming up isn't surprising. Balpa might be involved," Xenovia adds.

I nod. Kiba's eyes harden with resolve.

"Now I have to join," he says.

"Deal's set," Irina says, handing me a note with her contact info.

"Call if anything comes up."

"Thanks. Here's mine—"

"Your mom gave me your number," Irina says, smiling.

"Seriously!?"

Mom, what the heck!? Probably told Koneko and Irina to reconnect casually.

"We'll repay the meal, Red Dragon Emperor," Xenovia says, turning to leave.

"See ya, Issei!" Irina waves enthusiastically.

Phew, it worked out. My wallet's sacrifice paid off.

Kiba approaches. "Issei, you—"

"No pulling out."

"But this is my revenge."

"You're my friend. I can't not help."

He's still unsure.

I glance at Koneko and Saji. Bad timing, running into them. I meant to keep this from the others.

"Koneko, Saji, please don't tell the president or Sona."

I bow. Koneko's response surprises me.

"I'll help too."

She grabs my and Kiba's sleeves, looking up with a lonely expression.

"Yuto-senpai, I don't want you to leave. And Issei-senpai, don't do dangerous things alone. Please…"

Her softer side catches me off guard. I feel bad for worrying her.

"Sorry, Koneko-chan."

Kiba, flustered, gives a wry smile. He didn't expect this from her.

"Got me there. Can't be reckless after that. Now that I know the real enemy, I'll accept your help."

Yes! Kiba's on board, thanks to Koneko. Even I can't resist her!

Saji raises his hand. "Sorry, I'm lost. I get keeping this from Sona and Rias-senpai, but I don't understand Kiba's connection to Excalibur."

"Didn't Koneko explain?" I ask.

"I didn't mention Yuto-senpai's history with Excalibur," Koneko says.

Right, Saji's clueless.

Kiba speaks up. "I'll tell you my past."

The Catholic Church's Holy Sword Project targeted kids with sword talent. They were imprisoned, subjected to inhumane experiments, believing they were chosen by God to wield holy swords.

None adapted. The project failed.

To cover it up, they were gassed. Kiba escaped thanks to his comrades, but poison ravaged his body. The president found him, making him her demon knight.

"I'm grateful to Rias for saving me. But my comrades got me out. I have to destroy Excalibur with my demonic swords to atone and fulfill my duty."

It's a heavy past, even knowing it from the president.

Atonement and duty, huh? I get wanting revenge, but Kiba, did your comrades really want this?

Saji's bawling beside me, snot dripping.

"Kiba! What a cruel world! I get why you hate Excalibur!" he sobs, grabbing Kiba's hand.

Wipe your face, man. Kiba's confused.

"I'll help you! Sona's punishment scares me, but I'll take it!" Saji declares, grabbing my hand. "Hyoudou, you're amazing! Risking it all for a friend? You're the real deal!"

"You're the one crying for someone else! That's rare! You're a good guy, Saji!"

We clasp hands, bonding over our passion.

"Too intense," Koneko mutters.

"Haha…" Kiba chuckles.

Ignore them! My plan shifted, but we've formed a united front to destroy Excalibur.

Later, Saji shares his dream of marrying Sona after knocking her up. I cry at his passion. Pure male romance!

Saji and I hit it off.