Chapter 7

~Occult Research Club, Kuoh Academy~

Rias Gremory, Heiress of the Gremory Clan, was pissed. Like, really pissed. She had encountered the very person that had destroyed her chances in acquiring a powerful Queen. But she then made do with what she found later. Sona had informed her of the meeting she was going to have with the two exorcists after school hours. She was already wary of them due to the intense Holy Power she felt from the swords they carried.

'Well, lets see where this goes. What must Ise be doing right now?'

She thought as she made her way to school with her peerage in tow.

~With Hoffen ~

Hoffen could be seen sitting by the window with a pensive look on his face, though he hid it well from the others. He kept glancing towards the clock waiting for the class to end. Jeanne saw this and frowned slightly. She then shook her head knowing it just wouldn't work.

'Is this the same feeling the other students feel at the end of every school day?', Hoffen thought irritated as he impatiently waited for the bell to ring. Today's meeting will completely expose him to both the heiresses and the Devil Faction. He will need to be careful of his next moves in case they interfere.

As soon as the bell rang, Heisei and his group quickly made their way out towards base to get ready for the meeting as soon as possible. After they reach there, they saw Xenovia and Irina ready and waiting for them both. Hoffen nods at them seriously before changing into his desired suit. It was a white double breasted suit with golden trims and black pants. He wore a a red cape over it and then a covered himself with a white cloak similar to that of Xenovia's and Irina's.

He then made his way to the entrance where Jeanne, Xenovia and Irina had assembled. He nods towards them before they made their way to the ORC in Kuoh Academy. Hoffen narrowed his eyes after seeing the old and dilapidated looking building. At the entrance stood the entire student council members, all of them devils.

Sona Shitori or Sitri steps up and nods her head in greeting and gestures them to follow her, her queen, Tsubaki Shinra, falls in step behind her along with the rest of the Council. Hoffen and his group follow their group silently while keeping their guard up just in case something happens.

'Hmm...hidden in plain sight. But reckless too.'

Hoffen sighed tiredly as he followed the group till they reach a door which had a sign next to it. Sona knocked the door first and entered after permission was given. One by one they entered the low lit but extravagant room. Hoffen could feel runes and trapping seals present here and there around the room.

'Hm...meager defenses. How foolish.'

Hoffen then saw the people in the room. The Student Council stood on one said while the ORC on the other, with their respective Kings sitting on the couch in front of them. Hoffen and Jeanne then stood behind the couch on which Irina and Xenovia sat on.

'What's with the look on his face?'

Hoffen thought seeing a blonde young man glaring murderously towards the Exorcist duo. He could feel killing intent flowing off of him.

"Good Evening, Gremory and Sitri. I am Xenovia and this is my partner Irina Shidou.", Xenovia begin after a tense and awkward silence. Rias and Sona just glanced at each other before turning to Xenovia.

"So, what does Church want with us here all the way in the East?", Rias asked with a serious look on her face.

"Three of the Holy Swords Excalibur while in storage, under Church care were stolen.", Irina said seriously.

"Eh...So the Holy Sword Of The Legend, Excalibur...Just how many are there?", A brown haired boy asked from the ORC group. Hoffen's eye twitched hearing the question.

'Stupid disgusting church mongrels...destroying the Excalibur like that...'

"Ise-kun, the true Excalibur was broken in battle, long ago.", Irina said as she glanced at the boy. Hoffen's eye twitched even harder hearing that. Jeanne cautiously stared at Hoffen and readied herself is Hoffen blew up.

"Broken? Even though it's such a famous sword?", The boy asked with a curious and worried look on his face. Hoffen felt a vein popping on his forehead as he grit his teeth.

'Those...Nngh! Dang, darn, Holy Mary-Mother of Jesus, Oh Hell and Jesus Help Me Holy Ghost. The F-word was considered illiterate, trashy and low class. We were not allowed to use foul words because it was referred to as being poor bred and ungentlemanly like! But still! Those lying bastards! REEEEEEEEEE-!' ,Hoffen's thoughts were contrasting to his now cold stone face. Jeanne pats his head slowly to clam him down. The rest of the people were staring at Hoffen in curiosity and incredulity. He looked like a puppy being pat by Jeanne. Xenovia sweatdropped seeing Hoffen's condition knowing the reason why he was so angry.

"From the pieces of the Broken Excalibur-"

"Grrrr-"

"- 7 new blades were created via alchemy...This is one of them--", Xenovia said as she unfurled the ribbon around her sword and brandished it. "Its current form...Excalibur Destruction."

She then lowered it and then began wrapping it up again. "This, is under catholic supervision."

Irina then smiled and pulled a small lace like ribbon off her arm. The ribbon then miraculously turned into a Japanese styled Katana. "And mine is Excalibur Mimic!", She then had a carefree look on her face as she played with the ribbon lace. "It's really convenient in that it can freely transform it's shape."

"Irina, is it really okay to tell the devils of the sword's abilities?", Xenovia said as she cautiously glared at the devils. Irina just waved her hand and giggled.

"Mah mah Xenovia. As we are in their territory, its not an issue to build trust between the two parties, is it not?", Irina said casually while curiously looking at the devils in the room.

"As far as trust concerns, the two people behind you have yet to speak. Wait, they haven't introduced themselves. Would you both care to tell who you are?", Sona said as she glared at Hoffen and Jeanne coldly. Hoffen and Jeanne just sighed and pulled down their hood making the devils in the room gasp in surprise.

"Good Evening devils, I am Hoffen Lowenherz, representative of the Haven Of Ro. Pleasure to male your acquaintance~." Hoffen said as he nods his head in greeting with a small smile.

"Good day, I am Jeanne De Orleans, fellow representative of the Haven Of Ro. Nice to meet you.", Jeanne said who also nodded her head in greeting.

Rias and Sona just stared at them with wide eyes before they composed themselves.

"Hoffen and Jeanne, just a day ago you both just joined Kuoh and dare to keep your identity a secret from us?" Rias said with a frosty glare towards the duo. Hoffen and Jeanne just stared at her unimpressed and ignored her question.

"I clearly remember we notified the Lady Serafall of our admittance into Kuoh, so I don't see why we should answer you both.", Hoffen said with his usual smile as he looked down towards Rias, contempt filling his eyes.

"Anyways, please continue the meeting, we don't have time to waste.", Jeanne said as the atmosphere tensed yet again in the room.

"The supposed King of Kuoh here? With the Queen too? I don't even understand things anymore!", The brown haired boy murmured as he looked at Hoffen and Jeanne.

"Anyways, the one who stole the swords is the leader of the fallen angels, the 'ones who guard against the children of God', Kokabiel!", Xenovia said seriously.

"The leader of the fallen angels?! What's more, it's Kokabiel, one whose name appears among those inscribed in the bible...", Rias said shocked look on her face.

"He wiped out the exorcists covertly dispatched a few days ago, which brings us to our request...No, our demand-", Xenovia said as he stare turned sharp.

"We came to tell you to keep your noses out of this incident. The devils must keep out of the fighting between the Grigori and us over the Excalibur. In other words-", Before Xenovia continued, she was interrupted by Rias.

"You're full of yourself aren't you? What if we teamed up with the fallen angels?", Rias asked with an angry glare towards Xenovia.

"Headquarters is concerned with that possibility as well.", Xenovia said coolly, shrugging Rias' threat off.

"On the name of Gremory, I will not ally with the Fallen Angels!", Rias declared proudly without fear. Hoffen scoffed hearing her declaration making her turn towards him.

"Ho~? And what's your problem, Human representative?", Rias asked coldly as she stared at Hoffen.

"Some honor you have Gremory, based on our past experience and the current information we have on you, we could trust a gorilla over you. At least Harambe had enough humanity to save a child, what about you?", Hoffen said with a barely hidden smirk on his face. Sona heard this and spoke up.

"What exactly are you talking about, Mr. Hoffen? What past experiences?", Sona asked as she glanced at a seething Rias.

"Sure then. The first meeting we had was during the attack on Shuri Himejima, mother of Akeno Himejima, by her clan members. We had fought of the assassins and protected them both until Barakiel had returned and took them to safety. It was during this moment that Gremory here stepped out and berated us for 'destroying her chance'. We later got to know that she was present ever since the beginning of the attack.", Hoffen said with a cold look in his eyes. Rias felt her body going stiff hearing this a she felt numerous pairs of eyes staring at her.

"The most prominent so far was based on one Issei Hyodou. Issei, can you tell what exactly led to your death?", Hoffen said as he turned towards the brown haired boy, Issei.

"Um...A fallen angel had killed me after a fake date. Her name was Raynare, she was also responsible for Asia's death too.", Issei said remembering the evil woman.

"But then Buchou saved my and Asia-chan's life by resurrecting us into devils! I owe her my life.", Issei continued on with a proud look. Hoffen just shook his head as he smiled coldly.

"Is that so? What if I told you, that Rias knew of the fallen's identity all along? She was there until your supposed death? Don't you think it was a strange that she decided to give you her summoning pamphlet on the day of your date?", Hoffen said as Issei's face turned from anger to mortified and then to a desperate look on his face. He then shakily turned towards Rias and asked.

"B-Buchou. H-He is lying, yes? Yes, you wouldn't do that. Buchou?", Issei asked desperately. Rias just sat there as her hair shadowed her eyes.

"The fact that that there are more other reasons to why I don't trust her is there too, but I will save her some face to return to. Instead, we shall place our hope in Sona Sitri.", Hoffen said as he nods towards Sona who shakily nodded back. Hoffen then looked at each of the devils before scoffing and standing next to Jeanne.

"As such, we shall keep our word and go ahead with the mission. Please do not interfere or we won't hold back.", Xenovia said as she stood up and left the room. Hoffen meanwhile, was staring at the blonde haired boy, Kiba Yuuto.

"Isaiah? That you?", Hoffen said with his eyes wide. Jeanne stopped and stared at Kiba in shock too.

"H-How did you know? Who are you?", Kiba said as he glared at them both. Hoffen and Jeanne just smiled sadly.

"Isaiah, it's me Hoffen and Jeanne. We were together at the orphanage back in the mountains...remember?", Hoffen said softly as he gave Kiba a sympathetic look. Kiba just looked shocked as he remembered the both of his friends before he was chosen for the Holy Swords Program.

"You two...I...I really need some time alone..." Kiba said as he quickly made his way outside of the room. Xenovia and Irina just looked at each other before shrugging and going outside followed by Hoffen and Jeanne.

"Hoffen Lowenherz, you will pay for this later!", Rias said as she clenched her fists angrily glaring at Hoffen. Hoffen didn't even spare a glance as he made his way out. As the door closed behind, Hoffen then crouched sighing tiredly.

"Hmm...acting all angry and heartless is not so easy. I just want to get this over with!", Hoffen grumbled softly as Jeanne giggled at him. She then grabbed his arms as they leisurely made their way back to base.

"Lets see how things go. Issei is a good kid, but he was caught in this whole mess by Gremory. Same can be said about Asia too. How troublesome.", Hoffen said as he stared at the setting sun.

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