Chapter 25: Reunion with the Crazy Priest

That night.

"Take care this late," Asia says.

"Demon work's tough," Miu adds.

They see me off from the doorstep.

"Just meeting a client's request."

I'm heading to meet Irina and Xenovia but told Asia and Miu it's demon business. Lying feels bad, but it keeps them out of danger.

"Alright, I'm off. Tell the president when she's back."

"Got it," Asia replies.

"Good luck!" Miu cheers.

I head to the meeting spot.

We gather at the abandoned church where we saved Asia. It's discreet neither the president nor Sona will notice.

Me, Kiba, Saji, and Koneko are dressed as priests. Freed's been killing priests with Excalibur, so we're posing as bait to lure him out.

Irina's idea.

"Demons dressed as priests, huh?" Saji grumbles.

"Bear with it," Irina says.

"Anything for the goal," Kiba adds, calmer than before but still on edge.

Xenovia confirms we're ready. "Let's split into two groups for efficiency."

"If we divide strength, Issei-senpai's one group, and the rest another. Still feels unbalanced," Koneko says.

Kiba and Saji nod.

Hold on, you guys trying to make me a loner?

"Why're you nodding, Saji?" I ask.

"Saw the Gremory-Phoenix game footage with Sona. Anyone would react the same," he says.

Kiba and Koneko nod again. Irina and Xenovia look confused.

'Even all of them together couldn't beat you, partner,' Ddraig says.

You all really want me solo, huh? I'll sulk.

We split into demon and holy sword teams.

"We'll take the east side," I say.

"We'll cover west. Call Irina if anything happens," Xenovia replies.

"Got it."

As we part, Xenovia stops me.

"What's up?"

"You helped us, so here's some info: the White Dragon's awake. Be careful, Issei Hyoudou."

Everyone but me shudders. The White Dragon Vanishing Dragon, Ddraig's rival and mine by fate.

"Thanks, Xenovia. I'll watch out."

For now, Kiba's my focus. I head into town.

Minutes into our search.

"No sign of him," I say.

"He's probably lying low," Kiba replies.

Freed's not dumb enough to roam with a holy sword.

I stop, sensing something.

"What's wrong, Issei-senpai?" Koneko asks.

"Freed's ahead. His aura's mixed with the holy sword's, but it's him."

"You can tell that?" Saji asks.

"Training. You could too, Saji."

"Really!?"

I was talentless once but learned through hellish training. Saji could too with the same grind.

"Let's go."

They nod, and we follow the aura to where we fought the stray demon Baiser. A priest's mutilated corpse lies there.

Saji covers his mouth, shaken.

"You okay?" I ask.

"Yeah… I'm fine now."

A chill hits me the same holy sword aura from Irina and Xenovia.

"Above!" Saji shouts.

A white-haired priest with a glowing longsword descends.

"Blessings to the priests!" Freed taunts.

Kiba summons a demonic sword, parrying and repelling Freed, who flips onto a rooftop.

"Was gonna chop some priests, but demons in costume?" Freed sneers.

Same annoying tone.

"Well, if it isn't Issei-kun! Missed ya!"

"You know him?" Saji asks.

"Yeah, wished I didn't."

"Don't be cold! Been itching to pay you back with Excalibur Rapidly!" Freed brandishes his sword.

This guy never learns. Time to end him for good?

"Sorry to interrupt your fun, but I'm not your opponent."

"Huh?"

Freed's dumbstruck as Kiba zooms past me, sword ready.

"I'm your opponent!"

"Stay outta this, side character!"

Their swords clash, sparks flying. Freed matches Kiba's speed maybe the sword's power? Kiba's knightly advantage is gone; the holy sword outclasses his.

"Isn't Kiba in trouble? Shouldn't you help? You'd win easily," Saji says.

He's right, but I shake my head.

"This is Kiba's revenge. If I step in, he won't accept it."

I'll jump in if it gets bad.

"Besides, we've got company."

A dozen stray priests in black emerge.

Let's clean this up.

As I step forward, Saji and Koneko stop me.

"No way you're hogging the spotlight. I used four pawn pieces too, you know," Saji says.

A lizard-like mark appears on his hand.

"I've got a Sacred Gear too Absorption Line. Connects to enemies and drains their power!"

Nice! Saji's got a dragon-type gear.

'It's one of Vritra's, the Prison Dragon, one of the Five Dragon Kings,' Ddraig explains.

More than one, huh?

'Yeah, I'll explain later.'

Right, focus now.

"Issei-senpai, watch Yuto-senpai," Koneko says.

She and Saji charge the stray priests.

Guess I'm on support. I summon my gauntlet, charging power for transfer if needed. Gotta use Ddraig's power, or he'll sulk.

'Who's sulking? I am bored, though,' Ddraig grumbles.

"Get sliced already, you damn demon!" Freed yells, struggling.

Kiba's surprisingly calm, using my training to keep up despite the sword gap.

He might win on skill alone. Saji and Koneko don't need me either.

Then—

"You're struggling, Freed," a voice says.

An older man appears.

"Sword Birth and the Red Dragon Emperor's gauntlet. Troublesome pair."

"What're you doing here, old man Balpa!?" Freed snaps.

"You're Balpa Galileo!?" Kiba reacts, losing his cool.

Bad timing his nemesis.

"Freed, infuse the factor into the sword. It'll amplify its power," Balpa says.

"Got it! Flow, factor!" Freed chants.

The sword's aura surges.

"Time to slice you up, demon!"

He's faster, surpassing Kiba, who blocks but loses his sword.

This is bad.

As I move to help, someone intercepts Freed's blade.

"Sorry I'm late," Xenovia says.

"Got your call!" Irina adds.

Koneko must've contacted them.

"Freed Sellzen and Balpa Galileo. In God's name, you're judged!" Xenovia declares.

"Don't say that name, you bitch!" Freed snarls.

"Wait, Freed," Balpa stops him. "We're at a disadvantage. Let's retreat."

"Tch, fine."

Freed joins Balpa, eyeing us.

"Old man Balpa says we're out. Next time, I'll shred you demons! Later!"

He throws something to the ground—a flashbang.

Blinding light erupts. I grab Koneko and Saji, pulling them back.

"Thanks, Issei-senpai," Koneko says.

"Didn't expect a flashbang. Where's Kiba?" Saji asks.

"He, Irina, and Xenovia chased Freed. I'm heading there."

As I move, multiple presences appear behind me.

This aura…

"Where do you think you're going, Issei?"

I turn to see Sona, her vice-president, Zhu Nai, and the president.