With Vali’s departure, the heavy and tense atmosphere around them finally dissipated.

“Thankfully, it’s over,” Sona said, breathing a sigh of relief as her tense nerves gradually relaxed.

The White Dragon Emperor’s appearance had put more pressure on everyone than Kokabiel.

Fortunately, no fight broke out between Vali and Roy.

Otherwise, as Vali had warned, the entire Kuoh Academy, and even Kuoh Town, could have been devastated by a battle between the two.

After all, this would have been a clash between two Satan class figures.

At their level, a single city couldn’t withstand their casual power.

Even the aftermath of such a battle could destroy Kuoh Town.

Thankfully, Vali and Roy only exchanged words.

Vali was bound by his mission from Azazel, and Roy showed no strong desire to fight, allowing the encounter to end peacefully.

“Sona, let’s clean up the battlefield,” Rias said with a smile, releasing the magic sustaining the barrier. “Fortunately, there wasn’t much damage this time, so repairs should be quick.”

Sona nodded and said, “Tsubaki, I’ll leave it to you.”

She directed her peerage to begin clearing the battlefield.

Thanks to the barrier’s protection and the fight between Kokabiel and Roy shifting to close combat, there was minimal destruction.

With the use of magic, the area was quickly restored to its original state.

“Are you taking these bodies back?” Rias asked Xenovia, pointing to the slain exorcists and Valper Galilei. Xenovia was the only one from the church still conscious.

“No, the holy swords have been recovered, so they’re your responsibility now,” Xenovia replied, her voice still weak. She hadn’t fully recovered from the earlier shock, though her complexion had improved slightly.

“Roy, how’s Kiba doing?” Rias asked, turning to Roy as he approached Kiba Yuto, who wore a complex expression of relief and sorrow.

“It feels… unfair,” Kiba said. “My comrades were killed by Valper and the others for such a pointless reason. They could have survived.”

Before killing Valper, Kiba had learned more about the Holy Sword Project from him.

The project only required extracting the holy sword factor from the test subjects, which could then be condensed into crystals.

Those who had their holy sword factor extracted could survive.

But Valper deemed them worthless and ordered their deaths.

“Then live on for your friends,” Roy said, patting Kiba’s shoulder. “If the opportunity arises, you might even see them again.”

“What do you mean?” Kiba asked eagerly.

“You heard what Kokabiel said,” Roy replied after a moment’s thought. “When I was training, I heard a rumor that the three factions may soon enter an unprecedented era of peace.”

“At that time, even devils might visit Heaven.”

“That’s impossible…” Kiba said, startled.

A devil visiting the angels’ stronghold seemed like a sure way to be reduced to ashes.

“Nothing’s impossible,” Roy said with a smile. “The God of the Bible is dead, and the leaders of the three factions have no interest in starting another war. Peace talks are the best path forward.”

“Your fallen comrades died for the church’s experiments. Given Michael’s kindness, he likely wouldn’t mistreat them.”

“They’re probably in Heaven,” Roy continued.

“Really…” Kiba’s face lit up with excitement.

“What the Red Dragon Emperor says is quite possible,” Xenovia added. “The Holy Sword Project’s tragedy caused a stir in the church and involved many high-ranking officials. I heard even Lord Michael paid close attention.”

“With his kindness, knowing what happened to the test subjects, he’d likely ensure they were cared for.”

“I don’t know the full details, since I was young at the time and only overheard bits of conversation,” she admitted.

“Thank you,” Kiba said, looking at Xenovia with gratitude.

Roy and Xenovia’s words gave him renewed hope.

“Make good use of that holy sword factor crystal,” Roy said, glancing at the ice-blue crystal Kiba held carefully. “It might help you reach Balance Breaker.”

“Balance Breaker?” Rias said, approaching after the battlefield was cleared, surprise crossing her face.

Balance Breaker was the ultimate state of a Sacred Gear, achieved by few.

“Right,” Roy nodded. “Kiba’s just one step away from Balance Breaker. If he fully utilizes the holy sword factor crystal, he should reach it successfully.”

“I recall Irina mastered her holy sword after receiving a holy sword factor crystal,” Xenovia said. “Can a devil use it?”

“The God of the Bible is dead,” Roy explained. “The line between holy and demonic is no longer absolute; it’s becoming blurred.”

“Kiba was a test subject in the Holy Sword Project, so he has high compatibility with the holy sword factor crystal.”

“Plus, this crystal comes from his former comrades. Their lingering will resides within it, so it won’t reject him.”

Kiba held the crystal tightly, tears in his eyes, as if trying to see his comrades’ figures through it.

“Rias, I’ll take my leave,” Sona said after the battlefield was cleared, giving a nod before departing with her peerage.

“What’s your plan?” Rias asked Xenovia.

“Hearing the God of the Bible is dead, I barely stayed conscious,” Xenovia said, glancing at the still-unconscious Irina. “My mind’s a mess, and I don’t know what to do next.”

“I’ll arrange a place for you to stay. You can contact the church later to return the holy swords. How does that sound?” Rias offered.

“That’s all I can do. Thank you, Rias Gremory,” Xenovia said, helping Irina up and following the group as they left Kuoh Academy.

—

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