A few days after the Church sent their message, Kuoh Academy looked the same, but things were moving behind the scenes. In the student council room, preparations were already underway.
One afternoon, a black car pulled up in front of the school. Three people stepped out in formal uniforms, calm and serious. It was clear they weren't just regular guests.
Irina Shidou stepped out first with a bright smile. "Back again... Kuoh still looks the same."
Next came Xenovia Quarta, adjusting her sword strap as she looked around. "Too peaceful. After everything we've heard, They're hiding something."
The last one, Griselda Quarta, nodded. "We're not here to cause trouble. Our job is clear, cooperate with the local forces to recover the missing Excalibur pieces. If that proven impossible, we destroy them."
They walked through the front gates. Waiting for them were Akeno Himejima and Tsubaki Shinra.
"Welcome to Kuoh Academy," Akeno said with a polite smile. "Sona-kaichou and Rias-san are waiting."
Griselda gave Akeno and Tsubaki a small smile. "Thank you for welcoming us."
Tsubaki nodded politely. "It is only natural for us to do this. Please follow us to the Student Council, everyone is waiting there."
The group moved through the halls. Most students didn't notice anything unusual, too busy with afterschool chats. Soon, they arrived at the student council room.
Inside, everyone was already gathered.
Sona stood beside Rias. Their peerage members, Tsubasa Yura, Tomoe Megiri, Momo Hanakai, Reya Kusaka, Ruruko Nimura, and Genshiro Saji for the Sitri Peerage then, Yuuto Kiba, Koneko Toujo, Asia Argento, and Issei Hyoudou for the Gremory Peerage stood behind their respective Kings. Across from them were Hajime, Alice, and Anisphia, standing quietly in watching the people that the church sent. Sagiri Ameno stood beside the crew, arms folded.
The Church trio walked in, and the room grew still. No one looked upset, but everyone paid close attention. Griselda stepped forward.
"I'm Griselda Quarta. The Vatican sent me to lead this mission. These are Xenovia Quarta and Irina Shidou—both Holy Sword users."
Irina waved cheerfully. "Hello! We're here to represent the Church and Heaven. Let's work together!"
Sona nodded. "Thank you. We appreciate it."
Rias added with a small smile, "Let's hope this goes smoother than Church meetings usually do."
Griselda chuckled softly.
Sona continued, "I'm Sona Sitri, Heiress of Sitri family. This is Rias Gremory, Heiress of the Gremory family. We represent the Devil side in Kuoh."
Sagiri introduced herself next. "Sagiri Ameno, of the Ameno Clan of the Chuuma Ninja of the Shinto Pantheon. I watch over this region's spiritual balance."
Then Hajime stepped up. "Hajime Nagumo. These are Alice Gododdin and Anisphia Palettia. We're collaborators of them all. We do not belong to any faction in this room."
Alice gave a polite nod and graceful curtsying, a glimpse of her noble upbringing
Anisphia, true to herself, gave a small wave, her smile playful. "If we had to pick a side, we'd probably just start our own."
Sona let out a small sigh at Anisphia's comment, while Rias gave a quiet giggle.
The room eased up. People looked a little less tense.
Before anyone else could speak, Irina noticed someone.
"It's been a while, Issei-kun!" she called cheerfully.
Issei blinked. "Huh? How do you know my name?"
Irina tilted her head. "Really? Don't tell me you forgot your childhood friend?"
"Wait... childhood…? How.....? Iri-kun?!"
Irina grinned and show a peace mark. "Took you long enough!"
"You were a girl?!"
The room filled with soft snickers.
Irina pouted. "I've always been a girl, dummy!"
Issei rubbed the back of his head, laughing. "I thought you were just a really pretty boy."
Rias gave Issei a flat look, her cheek twitching. "So he's always been like this."
Sona let the laughter fade before speaking. "Now that we're all caught up, let's begin."
She turned to Griselda. "Can you share what the Church knows? Especially about Kokabiel and the Excalibur Fragements."
Griselda nodded. "Three of the Excalibur Fragments: Excalibur Rapidly, Excalibur Nightmare and Excalibur Transparency, were stolen from where they are being keep. The guards where all killed. They even make sure not to hide anything and boldly announce their presence. We are sure that one of the thieves is Freed Sellzen. And Kokabiel was even sighted during the event. Our orders are to take the stolen Excaliburs back or destroy them."
Xenovia added narrowing her eyes at the devils, "We're also checking if someone else is behind this, not just the Fallen."
Sona nodded after hearing Griselda and Xenovia, ignoring Xenovia's sharp tone. She turned to her group. "We've found traces of ritual magic around Kuoh over the past few days. From what we've gathered, they're using some kind of foreign energy source to run experiments with the Excaliburs."
Alice stepped forward. "Our group think it's a Stellaron, something from beyond your world. It's a very dangerous object that if not handled properly it can destroy everything."
Anis added, "We discover traces of it from one of the Excalibur fragments that Freed used against the Gremory Peerage few days back."
Hajime spoke next. "Our group's purposes is to find and stop things like this. If Kokabiel is using it, this might be bigger than a turf war."
Griselda looked at them, thoughtful. "So Kokabiel is using this Stellaron to whatever his plans are?"
Alice nodded. "That's what we're trying to find out."
She stepped aside as a projection appeared behind her. "From the past few days we've scanning entire Kuoh for similar energy patterns. Looking for clues on where they might be hiding."
Griselda crossed her arms slightly. "So this goes beyond a simple recovery mission."
"No," Hajime replied. "It's about working together to stop something worse before it starts."
Xenovia frowned. "How bold. You spoke as if you know whatever this thing is. If that is really the case, how do we know that this 'Stellaron' isn't related to you?"
The room went quiet.
Anisphia stiffened, but Sagiri stepped in first.
"Watch your tone. I've lived with them for weeks. If they were behind this, I'd know."
Griselda sighed. "Xenovia. That wasn't the best way to ask."
Xenovia looked down slightly. "Still, we need to ask."
Griselda nodded. "Fair. But let's not jump to blame."
Even Irina scratched her head. "Maybe next time just be a little less intense?"
Tension lingered until Hajime raised a hand.
"It's alright," he said. "You have the right to be cautious and its not something we are trying to hide. "
Everyone turned to him.
"We're not from here. Not from this world I mean. We're Nameless of the Astral Express, of Trailblaze Faction. We're often called explorers who travel between worlds. It all about finding new places, learning their secrets, and keeping records of what we discover.
Alice stepped up. "As Hajime said we follow the Path of Trailblaze. It's about discovery, and pushing forward. Our group follows the will of Akivili, one of many cosmic beings called Aeons. Each Aeon represents a different idea, a concept that runs the multiverse. To simply put, you think an Aeon as a God but much bigger and stronger."
Anisphia added her usual cheer is gone, "We've seen what happens when Stellaron is left unchecked. It ruins worlds. Destroys civilizations. Which is why we want to help you and your world. We don't want just standside when we can do something."
Hajime continued, "We hope you understand now why we're being involved on this. This is something we can't and won't ignore this."
There was silence.
Reya's mouth parted slightly, her eyes wide. "You're... not from this world?"
Kiba muttered under his breath, "I had the feeling they weren't ordinary… but this…"
Even Momo blinked, her usual composure flickering. "Cross worlds…?"
Irina's eyes sparkled with bewildered awe. "You mean… you're like, space travelers or something?"
Issei, ever the voice of comedic clarity, pointed at them with both hands. "Wait wait wait—are you telling me you guys are aliens?!"
Anisphia snorted. "Only if you define 'alien' as fabulous interdimensional explorers with great hair and impeccable fashion."
Alice smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Technically, we're extraplanar visitors. But I suppose in your context, the term fits."
Hajime sighed. "We're not here to scare anyone. We do not probe cows or beam anyone up. We just want to see the future of each world we visit."
Suddenly, Issei's Boosted Gear lit up.
{So that's why you feel different, even though you look the same as everyone else.} Draig's voice echoed clearly for everyone to hear. {Trailblazers, huh? We've heard of beings beyond the sky and the Dimensional Gap, but meeting one in person... that's something new. Life really never gets boring.}
Sona spoke softly. ".....Even the Red Dragon Emperor accepts it."
Irina looked amazed. "That's... pretty cool."
Koneko eyed Hajime, Alice and Anisphia. "No wonder your aura felt similar and yet different."
Sagiri exhaled. "I knew you were hiding something… just didn't think it was this."
"Apologizes." Xenovia murmured, "I was too hasty to judge."
Hajime gave a small smile. "It's okay. Caution's smart. But at least now, we're being honest."
Anisphia crossed her arms and smirked. "Okay. Now that we're done surprising everyone, let's get back to saving your world."