The next day, Issei returned to the clubroom with Akeno, after visiting the shrine. Rias arrived soon after, and the three of them gathered there.
Akeno hung on his arm, cooing affectionately, a perfectly planted romantic "flag." That master flag-planter!
"Come on, Akeno, let go of Issei, let's go!" Rias said, pulling her away.
"Oh my, that's too bad," Akeno teased. "Bye bye, Issei. I hope we can have a moment alone sometime."
Seeing how reluctant Akeno was to let go, Rias gave a gentle tug, and I could almost see the glow of jealousy in her eyes.
"Mmph!" Rias grumbled.
"Oww! Asia! Why are you pinching me!?" I yelped, as Asia pouted adorably.
Hmm, I'd forgotten Asia could get jealous too.
"Hey, Issei, Kiba, Xenovia! Come over here, look at this!"
"Look at what?"
"This, come! 'Ascalon!'"
"Blade!!"
Issei summoned the Red Dragon Emperor's gauntlets, "Boosted Gear," and a blade sprang out from their tip. Xenovia immediately recognized it.
"Ascalon!? That's the legendary dragon-slaying sword of Saint George! How did you get it!?"
"Well," Issei explained, "Akeno took me to the shrine today, and I met Archangel Michael. He gave me this sword, he said it symbolized a vow of unity from the twin dragons, tying together the Three Factions in the past."
A vow? Before even the summit? That was daring, if peace fell through, a holy sword in demon hands could be catastrophic.
"But since I have it now," Issei continued, "I want to train more with swordsmanship. So I wanted advice from you, the sword users."
Xenovia offered: "My sword style is… unconventional, so I can't teach much formally. But I'll spar with you anytime!"
Asia added: "I once told another church swordsman: 'Close the distance, then strike.' After that, it's all about practice swings and real combat!"
They looked expectantly at me. I sighed. "I could teach you the basics, anyway."
"Kiba! Thank goodness, someone who can actually teach!" Xenovia cheered.
Sorry, not perfect, but teaching basics? I can handle that.
Later, we resumed training Gaspar with his artifact. When he accidentally triggered a full-stop time effect again, we even used it to conduct a little impromptu experiment, a full day's work.
====================
Summit Day
Gaspar and Koneko stayed behind in the clubroom to guard it.
"Sorry, Gaspar," Rias said gently. "Your power's still unstable. If you trigger your artifact here… it'd be disastrous. Please stay and wait for us. Koneko, stay with him."
"Yes, club president!" Koneko gushed, and set down a massive box of snacks on the desk, so big I wondered where she'd hidden it all.
"Gaspar, I've left your paper bag here too, wear it whenever you feel lonely."
"Thank you, Senpai!" He beamed.
Rias looked back once, then said, "Okay, let's go, everyone!"
We walked toward the new building's meeting room under a joint tri-faction barrier that prevented any unauthorized magic. The feeling of "Skip and we'll notice instantly!" was intense.
Above us, each faction had about twenty guards on high alert, a battlefield vibe in the air.
Still, Issei and Asia fidgeted nervously as we entered the conference room. Rias knocked and stepped inside.
====================
Inside stood an impressive round table. Seated were Sirzechs, Serafall, Azazel, and Archangel Michael; behind them stood Grayfia, Vali, and Irina. Standing on the side were Student Council President Sona and Vice-President Tsubaki, followed by us.
Rias introduced us: "These are my sister, her familiars, and their friend. They were key in resolving the Kokabiel incident."
"Thank you. On behalf of the church…" Michael said politely.
"Thanks for dealing with the trouble," Azazel grumbled, barely looking at us, prompting annoyed expressions from Issei and the others.
Sirzechs then announced, "Before we begin, let's all confirm: everyone here acknowledges the secret of 'God's absence.' Any objections?"
No one spoke up.
"Very well. Let's start the meeting."
Rias laid out the full incident's details. Sona confirmed every word. Then Sirzechs turned to Azazel:
"Now, thoughts from Lord Azazel?"
"That Kokabiel acted alone, I had the White Dragon Emperor quietly contain him to prevent any worse outcome. Before that... Wasn't it Issei who finished him?"
"So Kokabiel's war plans weren't your doing?"
"I'm done with war. Kokabiel just talked trash about me."
"Just a dissatisfied dissenter," Serafall said.
"All factions have dissidents. Demon, church, rumors reach everyone," Azazel muttered.
"That has no bearing here," Sirzechs interjected.
"Enough. Let's finalize peace now," Serafall insisted.
Surprisingly, all four faction leaders nodded in agreement.
"Yes," Rias affirmed. "Without a god or Maou, peace is not denial."
"A world without a god? Words that would have toppled us in the past. Everyone agreed to peace?"
Sirzechs nodded. "Vali, what's your take?"
"I just want to fight strong opponents," Vali stated.
"The universe is full of them, peace or no peace," Sirzechs responded. "Now, Issei."
Stammering, Issei froze, until Sirzechs said:
"If peace prevails, our next goal is prosperity, children! So which do you choose: peace… or war, Red Dragon's heir?"
"P-please, peace! I want to make love with the club president! Peace is awesome!" Issei blurted.
The entire room paused. Rias's face was crimson; Sirzechs fought a smile, while Serafall grinned.
====================
Then Sirzechs shifted the agenda:
"Now, regarding rewards for our heroes: three people are honored, Hyoudou Issei, Yuuto Kiba, and Ikki Arima."
He explained Issei's bravery and support with the Red Dragon Emperor's power, and Kiba's forbidden Balance Breaker when he destroyed Excalibur.
Serafall winked: "Michael already gifted Droig early, so we'll give Issei his reward too!"
When Sirzechs asked Kiba for his wish, Kiba pledged to share his Holy-Demonic Sword research to prevent future inhumane experiments, Michael agreed.
Finally came Sirzechs's turn to ask Issei: "Your wish?"
After a deep breath: "I ask for amnesty, for Kuroka."
Silence. Rias and Sona looked stunned.
"Wait, Kuroka, Koneko's sister?" Rias stammered.
"Yes," Issei nodded, and Sirzechs said: "Explain more, we can't just pardon without hearing the facts."
Issei explained how the Nabelius household performed brutal experiments on familiars, broke Kuroka's contract to harm Koneko, etc.
Sirzechs asked: "Any proof?"
Issei replied: "No direct proof, but we don't have proof they didn't. Records from Kuroka's ranking matches would show signs, if those videos exist, experts could analyze them."
Sirzechs stroked his chin. "Let's investigate secretly. Based on that, we decide amnesty. And if it fails…?
"Swear you'll never mention this again," Sirzechs said.
"I swear," Issei answered.
Serafall nodded approval.
Azazel chimed in: "Remember, Kuroka's still technically wanted, this request could spark bounty-hunting."
Issei fired back: "We agreed to peace. Breaking this spotlight will make the trinity look untrustworthy. Not worth destabilizing everything."
Azazel looked annoyed but silent.
====================
Then Issei asked about Freed, an imprisoned priest.
Azazel confirmed he was under guard and would be released post-summit. Issei said: "Take out the three holy sword elements he's holding and return them to Kiba's control." Kiba gasped. Sirzechs and Michael agreed.
Just then, Issei felt a massive pulse in artifact power, the whole school froze.
Azazel explained: "That fog is the Ragnar Dimension-Lost artifact. It teleports anything it touches. They used it on us via that vampire."
But once the vampire was captured, the fog cleared, and lost wizards poured in. Vali turned into a literal Balance Breaker and incinerated them in seconds.
Grayfia prepared a teleport circle. Sirzechs handed Issei a suppression ring: "This will control the artifact. Use it."
Issei and Rias stepped onto the circle.
Azazel instructed Vali to deal with external threats. Rias and Issei teleported into the clubroom to rescue Gaspar, ready for whatever came next.
=============
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