While Bokue was navigating Keystone Gate with Ophis in tow, elsewhere on the island, the school day was winding down.
Saikai Academy.
Ding-ding-ding-ding~
The second afternoon bell rang, marking the end of classes and the start of club activities. Another day in the books.
In the second-year high school classroom, Irina Shidou was out of her seat before the teacher finished saying "dismissed." She wove through the increasingly noisy corridor between desks and arrived at Xenovia's seat, glancing back toward Asia and Ravel a few rows behind, then turning to the blue-haired swordswoman with a bright grin.
"And that's another day down! One step closer to the weekend. Come on, come on, pack up. Time to head to Rias-senpai's place."
"I know, I'm packing..."
Xenovia stifled a yawn and began methodically sliding textbooks into her bag.
"You don't need to pack? You're always over here so fast."
"Because I already finished five minutes before the bell~"
Irina swished her orange twintails with obvious pride.
"I had everything in my bag and was just waiting for the bell to ring. Meanwhile, what were you doing?"
"Sleeping... hahhh~"
Another yawn.
As a greatsword-wielding muscle-brain holy sword user, academics had never been Xenovia's strong suit. She'd grown up in the Church with zero formal schooling. Attending classes now was purely to fill the hours and stave off boredom.
"Things have been really quiet lately, though."
The swordswoman couldn't help but voice the thought.
"Back in the Church, it was nonstop: fighting devils, hunting vampires, clashing with Fallen Angels. Ever since the peace treaty was signed, combat missions have basically... no, they've completely dried up. I'm going to rust."
"Well, what can you do~"
Irina tilted her head, twintails swaying.
"The Hero Faction tried to raid our home while we were all at school, and Bokue handled the entire thing by himself."
"Oh, and by the way, apparently the Underworld is now missing an entire layer. Bokue blew up the deepest level where the Realm of the Dead used to be."
"As for Hades, the Olympian God of Death... I'm guessing he's thoroughly dead."
"A death god getting killed. There's some irony for you..."
Xenovia couldn't resist the observation.
Their idle chatter had carried them through to the end of Xenovia's packing. She was just reaching for her bag when her phone buzzed in her hand. The screen lit up with an incoming call.
The color drained from her face the instant she saw the number.
This number is— Nee-san...
Hm?
Irina noticed the shift immediately and leaned in.
"What's wrong? Looks like someone's calling. Aren't you going to answer?"
"It's... no, it's a number I don't recognize..."
Yanked back to reality by Irina's voice, Xenovia mumbled something vague, shoved the still-ringing phone deep into her bag, and stood up with a forced cough.
"Anyway, let's check if Asia and Ravel are ready. We should get going."
"Huh? But I saw the call was still active. Is it really okay to just leave it?"
"It's fine... it'll disconnect on its own eventually..."
Xenovia was already retreating toward the back of the classroom, feet moving with suspicious urgency.
Inside her bag, the ringing stopped. The screen went dark.
Two seconds later, it lit up again. A text message:
[Xenovia, are you busy? Why didn't you pick up? Anyway, I have official business that's bringing me to Itogami Island. Should arrive tomorrow afternoon. See you then. —Griselda Quarta.]
❁❁❁❁
Meanwhile, at the old schoolhouse.
BANG—
The front door was flung open with considerably more force than necessary, and Rias looked up from behind her desk with a frown.
She'd never required anyone to tiptoe around the building, but there was really no need to shoulder-check the door either.
A dark-haired girl strode in. Same high school uniform as Rias. Short black hair. Slim red half-frame glasses that gave her the aura of a literature club president.
"Sona?"
Rias recognized her instantly, but the unusual urgency was impossible to miss.
"You're early today. Shouldn't you still be at the Student Council? Did you clear your schedule already?"
"No, but something more pressing came up."
Sona Sitri crossed the room in quick, precise steps, planted both hands on Rias's desk, and leaned forward.
"Under normal circumstances, this sort of thing would go through proper diplomatic channels first. But this time, it seems to be unexpectedly urgent."
"Which is?"
"Vampires."
"...Come again?"
A giant question mark materialized over Rias's head.
How had they jumped straight to vampires?
"The vampires want to send a delegation for peace negotiations."
Sona finally delivered the full picture.
"Not just with us. With the Fallen Angels and Heaven as well. All three factions."
"...Oh?"
Rias's eyebrow rose. She sat up straighter.
"The vampires are making a move? Which faction?"
"Carmilla."
Sona continued without pause.
"Both the Fallen Angel and Heaven sides will be sending representatives tomorrow afternoon. For the Fallen Angels, it'll almost certainly be Governor General Azazel, as usual. Heaven's delegation will apparently include a nun acting as envoy for the negotiations."
"The Carmilla Faction..."
Rias sighed and pressed her fingers to her temple.
"Understood. I'll let Bokue know."
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