Chapter 60: Tension
After a little more than a day of exploration, Vahn and Asia exited the Corridor around 3:40 AM. They could have stayed longer, but after his frustration settled, Vahn couldn't help wanting to see how things were going back in reality.
"Welcome back, Goshujin-sama, Asia-san," expressed Grayfia, offering Vahn a bow as he and Asia appeared in the club room.
"What's the situation? Did anything happen while we were away...?" asked Vahn, his expression and tone serious, producing a palpable tension.
Raising her head, Grayfia dutifully responded, "We were able to ascertain that the individuals investigating the former den of the Fallen Angels were high-ranking Exorcists and Enforcers from the Church's Zeroth Parish, the Church of Necessarius. They have arranged to speak with Rias-sama later today."
"Are they here for me...?" asked Vahn, his expression easing somewhat as, while he didn't approve of how they handled Asia's case, he didn't believe the Church was evil.
"We suspect establishing contact with you is one of their objectives, but they seem to be investigating the recent theft of several fragments of the Holy Sword, Excalibur," answered Grayfia.
"Necessarius..." muttered Asia, her blue eyes filled with concern as Vahn looked at her, prompting her to explain, "They're the branch of the Church that specializes in investigating and eliminating the occult. They were the sister branch to the one I belonged to, the Church of Sacramentum..."
"Do you think they came here to pick a fight...?" asked Vahn.
"Unlikely," responded Grayfia, shaking her head before explaining, "As Goshujin-sama is aware, Kuoh Town and its surroundings are a neutral zone. And while the Executors of the Church of Necessarius are decently powerful, they would find it difficult to defeat a High-Class Devil without superior numbers and preparation. Their visit will likely involve introducing themselves, asking for information, and requesting that we not interfere in their investigation."
"If so, isn't that a little pretentious of them...?" asked Vahn, pointing out, "Kuoh Town is under the protection and supervision of the Gremory and Sitri Houses. The people who stole the fragments of Excalibur wouldn't have come here without a reason, so asking us not to intervene when the matter directly concerns us is absurd..."
"I can't deny it," responded Grayfia. "But the Church has been obsessed with its image and authority for millennia. They have mellowed publically since the conclusion of the Great War, but behind the scenes, they're the most antagonistic of the Three Factions."