The glow of the magic circle faded, and Rias swept into the ruined house with regal confidence, flanked by Akeno Himejima and Koneko Toujou. The place was nearly leveled—Draconis and Freed had turned the suburban cottage into a disaster zone.
Rias's gaze immediately landed on Draconis. She looked him up and down, searching for injuries. Once she saw he was unharmed, her stern mask softened just a little.
He was still in his rookie phase, after all. If something happened to him now, she'd feel like a failure as his master.
"How's the situation? Did you run into anyone from the church?" Rias asked, her tone all business.
She'd already spotted Asia standing beside Draconis, her brow arching in faint surprise. As a high-class devil, she could sense the holy aura clinging to Asia at a glance.
Normally, devils and church folk didn't mix. At best, they ignored each other. At worst… well, things got ugly. The only reason Rias held back was seeing Draconis standing calmly at Asia's side.
Draconis nodded to the trio. "Yeah. A priest. We started fighting the moment I showed up."
He glanced apologetically at Koneko. "Sorry, I'd just arrived when that bastard killed your summoner."
Koneko's eyes flickered as she glanced at the rubble. Her nose was sharp—she'd already picked up on the scene the moment she walked in.
"It's not your fault. I'll get revenge for her," Koneko said, voice tight with anger.
She was usually expressionless, but Draconis had learned to spot the subtle shifts in her mood.
"It's my mistake," Rias said gravely. "I didn't expect a stray exorcist to target the client. I should have been more careful."
Draconis blinked. "He wasn't official?"
"What kind of priest goes around slaughtering humans for fun?" Rias replied. "I told you before—God and the angels care about humans. Real exorcists aren't like that creep."
Rias's experience far outstripped his. Her explanation made it clear—not every priest was rotten to the core.
"Just like stray devils, stray exorcists are those cast out by the church," Akeno added, her usual smile fading when she mentioned fallen angels. "Twisted types who get their kicks butchering devils. The church can't tolerate them, so they end up with the fallen angels."
With Draconis confirmed safe, everyone's attention shifted to Asia.
"I'm sure you heard just now—you didn't join a real church. Looks like the fallen angels have their eyes on you," Draconis said, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.
Of course—they wanted her Sacred Gear, the Holy Mother's Smile.
This naive girl had been duped by those monsters.
Rias's tone sharpened. "I've been meaning to ask, Draconis—what's with the nun?"
Devils didn't enjoy church company, and Rias was no exception.
Draconis gave a quick rundown of Asia's situation.
"So, she's a fallen angel's servant? No connection to you, right? Then let's have her leave," Rias said, clearly wanting nothing to do with a church nun.
Draconis hesitated. Now that he knew the fallen angels had plans for Asia, he couldn't just let her fall into their hands. He'd been cornered by fallen angels once—he knew exactly what that felt like.
"President, why not reincarnate her as a devil too?" he suggested.
The room went silent. Asia and the others stared at him in shock.
"Huh?"
"Draconis-san… what did you say?"
Rias and Asia spoke almost in unison.
"I'm not just talking nonsense," Draconis said calmly. "Asia has the Holy Mother's Smile. She's clergy, but she can heal even devils. That's serious power."
Rias's interest was piqued; she motioned for him to continue.
Seeing her reaction, Draconis offered Asia a reassuring smile. "That's exactly why the fallen angels are after you, Asia. They want your Sacred Gear."
Asia's expression wavered, memories flickering behind her eyes. She'd suspected something, but Draconis's words made it click.
Still, she was torn. Targeted by fallen angels or not, her heart remained loyal to God.
"Is… is that so? But I… I can't become a devil… Almighty Lord, please forgive me…" she whispered, hands clasped in desperate prayer.
Draconis didn't sugarcoat it. "This church? It's fallen angel territory. 'Distant water can't put out a nearby fire.' Your Lord can't help you now."
He gave her a smile that, to Asia, probably looked far too devilish. "Sorry, but the only ones who can help you now are us devils. Otherwise, you won't make it out of this city alive. Sacred Gear holders who lose their gear—death is all that waits."
Asia's face crumpled, shaken by the truth. She knew he wasn't lying, but her faith made the decision agonizing.
Akeno leaned in, whispering to Rias with a mischievous grin, "Looks like it's a tough choice for her."
Draconis watched Asia wrestle with her conscience and spoke gently, "Asia, you're out of options. Haven't you noticed what those fallen angels really want from you?"
He had zero sympathy for fallen angels. Rias had told him some were decent, but he'd only ever met the worst.
Whether it was his words or the harsh reality, Asia finally spoke, voice trembling, "I… I understand… I trust you, Draconis-san. You're a good person."
Draconis: "…" …Could you not give me the good guy card right now?
Rias, seeing Asia finally agree, dropped her cold front and smiled warmly. "That settles it. Welcome to the club, Asia. But first—you need to take off that nun's habit. All that holy power makes devils uncomfortable. Sorry, Asia-chan~"
Without waiting for a response, she waved her hand. Magic surged, and Asia's habit exploded in a shower of fabric.
Asia froze, then dropped to a crouch, blushing furiously and letting out a plaintive squeak. "Kyaa! Draconis-san, d-don't look…"
Draconis: "…" Like hell I won't.
…
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