A repatriation of Fallen Angels back in heaven was a conversation that was inconceivable for the Satans, the Seraphs and Cadres before Ray's arrival. It was an event that would perfectly work for the three factions.
But neither party, the Angels of Fallen Angels, had previously wished for such a thing to happen. And even if either party wanted it, neither was strong enough to enforce it.
Until now.
Azazel realised that Ray was pushing towards that initiative and realised that if he didn't change the boy's mind, the result was already decided without Fallen Angels being even able to retort.
They were alone. Not only was Ray strong enough on his own. He had the Star Angels, Takamagahara and even Hell on his side. All he could do was inwardly curse at Michael, who was the one who proposed it.
"Are you crazy, Michael...? Fallen Angels hate–" Azazel began, but just a stare from Ray and the rest told him that he better not finish that sentence out loud.
"We may be allies after long years of wars, but that doesn't mean Fallen Angels are keen on returning to that strict society where the system of heavens shackles us daily, we are free in the world!", He ended up finishing with that.
"You can talk about yourself, Azazel... but there are plenty of fallen angels who repent for their treason and would wish to return. Those are the fallen angels we are keen on receiving back. What do you think, my lord?" Michael asked Ray.
"I don't quite understand, but if a Fallen Angel's crime didn't deliberately intend to destroy the stability of the heavens or the earth, that is a fallen angel that should be given another chance to re-emerge. The system's rules were very strict in the past, I would understand why many of them could not abide by those rules and fell out of grace. Those rules have also proven to be detrimental to your race overall. If it hadn't been for my arrival, and my capability to fix the system, then the angels would be extinct in danger to be extinct in less than a millennium".
"But Ray, fallen angels own big corporations are arguably involved in this world's economy to a greater scale than even devils. We can't just return to the heavens–" Azazel interceded.
"The church has no issue taking over those corporations and even helping finance them and their future, money will has never and will never be an issue, Azazel", Michael added, having Azazel grit his teeth.
He just casually said that the heavens, the catholic church, would take over the majority of Grigori's earthly assets. Things that Angels didn't care about, but it meant everything for Fallen Angels.
"Us fallen angels just want to be free", Azazel said, this time looking at Ray as if begging him to understand that Angels didn't need to be one once more.
"I am afraid I must side with Michael", Sirzechs added, bringing silence once again to the table.
"Although fallen angels indeed deserve to be free... it is also true that Fallen angels embroil the majority of terrorist attacks in the world that are meant to disturb the supernatural community. Especially in Europe, they have brought about a downside in the reputation of us biblical factions. We devils know how to control our people better... in the past, your fallen angels were even used by Chaos Brigade to disrupt Japan".
Sirzechs spoke from the political perspective of devils. If the Fallen Angels were to be merged back, it would be advantageous not only for angels but also for devils, who would have more freedom to make contracts. He had to try to convince Ray to push forward no matter what.
"Sirzechs... you can't judge us all just for the sins of few!"
**
**
Azazel saw himself cornered; no one was taking his side. Not even I, the neutral one.
But I am their god, I have to reach a conclusion in which everyone is happy. It is the reason why this matter was brought up in my presence. I am the one who decides.
"Azazel... if I had you all regain your status as angels, and allowed a portion of you to live freely in the world... would you be willing to accept?" I asked, "So far, his problem seems to be the shackles that the system has on angels as well as the financial independence they have gained through the centuries. I have already loosened those rules. So long as they outright commit crimes, they shouldn't fall out of grace.
I couldn't allow all of them to be on Earth because they would be difficult to control. The heavens' system may have been strict, but I understand why the biblical god imposed it. It is the best tool for the control and management of his race.
If any angel strayed, they'd immediately fall out of grace. You would know what roots to cut for the whole tree so as not to spoil it. In the case of the elves, this system doesn't exist... and therefore, we are unable to tell which Moon and Star Elves are evil, which still harbour evil intentions towards Anna and her new monarchy.
In the heavens, we know that all angels are sacred and pure, and that's thanks to that system.
Allowing angels back in the heavens may be counterproductive, but it would help replenish numbers, and, indeed, some of them were unjustly judged. Some fallen angels fell out of grace for falling in love with humans, like Akeno's father, Barakiel. I believe that shouldn't be a crime.
Michael looked at me in shock that I proposed that some of them live outside the heavens. Right now, not a single angel lives out of the heavens; they're allowed out momentarily, but they head straight back without spending too much time on earth. The hands and instruments the heavens have on earth are the church, the saints, and the exorcists.
"But my lord, we angels belong in the heavens, we have no need to–"
I raised his hand, telling him to shut up; I wanted to hear Azazel's answer.
"You are not willing, but not every angel is you, Michael. The angels I marry are also going to be living with me, and I won't always be in the heavens. Does that mean they have committed a crime? My Star Angels must look over the world and bring balance to it, but you also have the responsibility to be happy and comfortable with your life, whether that's in heaven or out of it".
"I understand, my lord", Michael retreated. He understood I was keeping this position for their sake.
The previous God saw them as tools to keep his 'creation' stable. But I wanted them to be happy and live like any other race... and for that, some restrictions of the system (which forced them to be tools) had to be lifted.
Fallen Angels were born out of the desire to have a normal life. Even the capability to sin that humans had, angels wanted that too. But Fallen Angels have become a variable for the supernatural community, and some groups are even used by foreign gods to push their agendas.
I couldn't allow that to keep happening.
"... I don't have the authority to answer for all fallen angels–" Azazel mumbled, unsure... it sounded more like he was stalling.
So I had no choice but to put my foot down on this for the sake of the Angels. There is no point for Fallen Angels to continue to exist in this modern world where my Star Angels are gaining more and more prominence.
They either join back or disappear.
"Azazel".
!!!
He felt pressure come down on him like never before.
Azazel felt the urge to kneel before his god.
"I will give you a year to convince Grigori and the Fallen Angel community to return to the heavens, and when the time comes, you can all lay down your conditions to me, and I will discuss with Michael and Gabriel what should be accepted and what is impossible. Fallen Angels will also be judged by the heavens' court, but I naturally guarantee your freedom so long as you all abide by a moral code. Not all restrictions of the system have been lifted. Only this time, there won't be such a thing as falling out of grace... those who don't abide by the moral code will be exterminated, period".
A cold shower must have washed everyone's backs.
But I have no choice. Fallen Angels must return to the heavens... but I can't allow them to spoil my beloved Star Angels.
"Thanks for your time, my lord... I will try my best".
"Don't try, Azazel... do it. And if you need help trying to 'convince' the others, you know where I am. I have imposed this on you, so I naturally won't leave you alone. You Fallen Angels are also my beloved race... I am as connected to you as I am to Michael and Gabriel," I said honestly.
Azazel sighed. He looked like he had grown a hundred years older in just a second. He stood up, intending to retreat.
"I understand, well then, we will take our leave, please enjoy your toast~".
"I will visit you soon, Ray~" Lavinia greeted us, produced a magic circle and teleported the two of them away.
Having said that, the tension had yet to leave.
"While we are on this topic. Are there any measures which you require of us devils to abide to, Ray?~" Sirzechs raised.
I squinted my brows, "Compared to fallen angels, you devils are a lot more organised. You are the satan of domestic affairs, and you certainly have your affairs in order, Sirzechs... good work".
"It is my honour".
"What about me, Ray-tan!?~ Has Sera-tan done a good job, too? pat my head~" Serafall snuggled her cheeks with mine as if that was going to somehow absolve her.
"You are the satan of foreign affairs... have you even been working?".
"You're so mean, I work every day! I do so much paperwork that I might die drowning in it!" The satan complained, "Due to Yasaka-san and Takamagahara's 'politics' in Europe and the Middle East, we have had a lot of work in the foreign affairs department~"
"Sorry, I'll talk to Yasaka to know what she's been up to, if she caused some trouble, I'll apologise on her behalf".
"N-Not at all! She's been perfect, what she has done to increase the prestige of the biblical factions is incredible!–".
Serafall covered Sirzechs' mouth.
"Increase the prestige of the biblical factions...?" I frowned, "Has it only been her, or was Haku involved too?".
I was starting to put all the pieces together.
"H-Hehe, about that–"
"Ray-sama, I believe you should ask Yasaka-sama and Haku-sama yourself, they will have all the details", Grayfia answered for them.
"..."
"Is that so?".
"It is", She reaffirmed.
"Okay".
Something smells fishy around here, and it is not Kuroka.
"Well then, we appreciate your presence, Ray. Stay safe and take care of Ria-chan for me, okay?" Sirzechs mumbled and held Millicas' shoulder; they were going to leave.
"I will, Sirzechs... I may visit your Gremory household soon to greet Venelana and Zeoticus".
"We will be waiting, brother-in-law~" Sirzechs winked at me. Grayfia prepared the magic circle for him and Millicas. And when the circle was finished, the two of them went, but Grayfia stayed.
We looked at her.
"Grayfia?" Rias asked why she didn't leave, too.
"I shall continue to serve as the host of this event in the meantime, Rias-sama".
That's what she answered; that was her excuse, which none of us believed. Rias and Akeno know that she's in the 'pet group'.