Soon Asia's light faded, and the room dimmed again.
The three fallen were still out cold, but at least they didn't look like dried corpses anymore.
Honestly, if you ignored the fact that they once tried to kill us, it almost looked like we were nursing poor victims back to life.
But before anyone could start their saintly speeches, Giratina made my shadows slither across the floor like living snakes and wrapped them around.
Ankles, wrists, wings—bound tighter than a gift wrap.
Yeah.
Now this was the right vibe.
"…I don't know why, but that looked way too natural coming from you," Sona muttered, pushing her glasses up.
"Eh? Don't phrase it like that! Makes me sound like some shady villain boss!" I shot back, though secretly… yeah, she was right.
Still, watching shadows crawl out like obedient pets?
Tell me that doesn't look cool.
I don't care if I'm supposed to be the responsible one here—this is the kind of thing I signed up for in my chuuni brain.
Summons and creepy bindings.
Peak fantasy checklist, checked.
Now, the devils and church girls were staring at me, then at the prisoners.
And I could already feel the interrogation storm brewing.
Uh oh.
... Ok, enough deluding myself, I know those stares are about my interrogation, not the fallen angels.
"Alright, enough. Before any of you say a thing, let me say it first."
I raised my hand, pointing at the three bound fallen angels like a teacher calling out bad students.
"That one—" I jabbed a finger at the first, the one in torn leather straps and sexy SM dress, "—was the exhibitionist fallen angel who attacked me and Koneko. And no, I did not put her in those clothes. She came like that. I just… forgot about her. That's when I first met Rias and officially stepped into the supernatural mess."
I didn't even pause for air.
If I did, Irina and Xenovia's sword hands would probably start moving.
"There was a recruitment offer to become a devil, but, uh, I like my humanity more. Mostly because it just feels natural, no need to change it. Then, a few days later, I met Asia—" I waved at her, "—and the other two? They were cult criminals who tried to kill us. So yeah, villains. Totally not my fault."
I could feel everyone's eyes boring into me, like they were silently asking for footnotes and timestamps.
"And that's how I ended up with the devils, and why these three fallen angels are here. Ups and downs aside, that's how I became family with devils and others."
Silence.
Everyone just stared at me like I'd dumped a Wikipedia article out loud.
Irina's mouth opened, then closed again.
She clearly wanted to throw accusations, but didn't even know where to start.
Xenovia's grip on her sword tightened like she was holding herself back.
Rias only crossed her arms, her red hair swaying like a warning flag.
Sona adjusted her glasses, unreadable as always.
Asia, bless her, just tilted her head in confusion.
It was one of those moments where I knew, deep in my gut, this wasn't just an interrogation for the fallen angels.
It was an interrogation for me.
"Now, before you ask me to explain in detail, let me tell you something… in my history test last week, I got 45 marks. So don't expect me to give a perfect explanation. I'm not exactly good at recounting past events."
Now, with this, even if there were to be plot holes, no one will question it at all.
And my real history marks?
... I am not gonna say.
Still, Xenovia stood up, her resolve sharp as she strode toward Asia instead of me.
"You're the witch Asia Argento, right? I never would've expected to see you here," Xenovia said.
Asia visibly trembled at the word witch.
That title carried memories—painful, heavy memories she clearly couldn't ignore.
Irina noticed immediately and stared at her with sharp intensity.
"So… you're the former Holy Maiden who had everyone up in arms. Your healing ability works on demons and fallen angels, correct? I heard about your exile, but it's… quite the surprise to see you now, allied with devils," Irina continued, her voice calm but probing.
"…U-uh… I…," Asia stammered, caught off guard, unable to form a proper response to their scrutiny.
"Don't worry," Irina said softly but firmly, her gaze still locked on Asia.
"I won't tell any of our superiors that we saw you here. I'm sure the former followers of the Holy Maiden would be shocked to know about your current… alliances."
Her words left Asia with a tangled expression, caught between relief and lingering fear.
"A former Holy Maiden, now friends with devils… how far she's fallen. Do you still hold faith in our Lord?"
Xenovia asked, her tone threaded with disbelief.
"How could she, Xenovia? She's exiled and allied with devils now."
Irina added, her exasperation clear, though concern lingered beneath her words.
"No—no, I can smell it on her," Xenovia said, eyes narrowing as she studied Asia.
"Faith. It's a strange thing to put into words, but I can sense these currents. Some who betray the Lord are racked with guilt and can't forget their devotion. That's what I'm picking up from her."
Irina's face softened with a curious tilt.
"Is that so? I wonder, then, whether Asia truly believes in Him now, given she's allied with devils."
Asia's lips trembled. Her expression folded into sorrow.
"…I haven't abandoned Him. I've always believed…"
At that, Xenovia stepped forward without another word. Her hand fell to the hilt of her holy blade, and she thrust it out so the tip hovered between them—a silent ultimatum wrapped in polished steel.
"I see," she said, cold and precise.
"If that is the case, then you will have no objection should I cut you down here and now. I will execute you in the name of the Lord. Sinful though you are, He may yet forgive you if your spirit is pure."
The room went very quiet.
Even Akeno's smirk faltered for a second as the gravity of the statement settled in.
Irina's fingers tightened, torn between zeal and the relief that Asia might not be entirely lost.
Rias bristled visibly, ready to leap, and Koneko's tail flicked with clear displeasure.
I, meanwhile, felt my mouth go dry; the situation had escalated from embarrassing to potentially lethal in a heartbeat.
Asia kept her gaze lowered, the tremor in her voice steadying into something like resolve.
Whether that resolve would be enough to sway the swords of conviction before them—or whether someone else would step between blade and former maiden—was the question hanging in the air.
Then Irina turned toward me, her expression serious yet calm.
"By the way, Zevion, don't worry. If we take you to Vatican City for a few years of cleansing, you'll be purified. So, pack your things—you'll be leaving with us once we're done here, okay?"
And my reaction?
I stepped forward, coming to a stop in front of Asia.
Her eyes were filled with tears, silently pleading for help.
Then…
SLAP!
I struck her across the cheek.
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