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That night, at the Occult Research Club, Mika and the others gathered.
"So the church in Kuoh Town belongs to the Fallen Angels?" Rias mused, after hearing Mika and Issei's report.
She hadn't paid much attention to it before.
After all, as a Devil, churches were enemy territory.
Interfering in their affairs could easily cause friction between the Devils and the Angels or Fallen Angels, especially given her sensitive position as the younger sister of Sirzechs Lucifer and the future head of the Gremory family.
"Buchou, I want to save Asia!" Issei declared. He had learned that Asia wasn't a nun of the Church, but a Fallen Angel nun.
This made him even more determined to "rescue" her.
In his mind, the kind and gentle Asia couldn't possibly be happy with the Fallen Angels.
"Absolutely not!" Rias refused immediately.
"How do you propose to save her? You're a Devil, and she's a servant of the Fallen Angels. The two are incompatible. Rescuing her means making an enemy of the Fallen Angels, which would force us to intervene as well."
Due to her status, Rias couldn't risk a conflict with the Fallen Angels. After all, Asia was merely their servant, not a member of her peerage.
If they harmed one of her servants, however, she wouldn't hesitate to retaliate.
Issei fell silent. He didn't want to drag others into a conflict with the Fallen Angels.
As Rias had said, he was a Devil, while Asia served the Fallen Angels. They were on opposing sides.
--
After their discussion, they dispersed.
Mika and Issei walked home together in silence.
"Mika, what should I do?"
Mika thought for a moment, then replied, "Before making any decision, carefully consider the consequences and the price you're ready to pay. If, after careful consideration, you're still determined to act, then do so without hesitation. After all—it's your choice."
His words, though calm, resonated deeply with Issei.
After a moment of silence, Issei said, "Please, train me harder, Mika. I'm still too weak."
"Alright," Mika replied with a smile.
…
Although Issei had requested more intense training, before Mika could devise a new regimen, he clashed with the Fallen Angels once more.
The next morning, Issei didn't go to school. Having just battled a Stray Exorcist and been injured by the Power of light, which was highly toxic to Devils, Rias had given him the day off.
As someone who secretly controlled the school, arranging this was a simple matter.
While out and about, Issei encountered Asia again.
Realizing she had run away, and knowing he couldn't save her, he decided to spend the day showing her around Kuoh Town, giving her a taste of freedom she had never experienced before. They became friends.
However, as dusk settled, they were found by the Fallen Angels. To protect Issei, Asia returned to the church with them.
Issei, powerless to intervene, returned to the Occult Research Club and reported the events to Rias, hoping she would help him rescue Asia.
However, Rias slapped him.
"How many times do I have to tell you?! No! I will not let you rescue that nun!"
Despite the stinging slap, Issei refused to back down.
"Then I'll go alone! I'm worried about that ritual Raynare mentioned. The Fallen Angels are planning something. Who knows what they'll do to Asia?"
Raynare was, of course, Yuuma Amano, Issei's former "girlfriend," who had taken Asia away. And the "ritual" was something she needed Asia's cooperation for.
"Are you an idiot?!" Rias exclaimed, holding her head in exasperation. "You're a Devil! If you're hit by a Fallen Angel's light spear, you'll be annihilated!"
Recalling his conversation with Mika the previous night, and having made his decision, Issei said firmly, "I have to go."
He and Rias argued.
Mika, leaning back against the sofa, watched them with amusement. Unlike the others, he knew that Rias intended to confront the Fallen Angels.
Seeing her argue with Issei was—entertaining. Yuuto and Koneko, observing Mika's reaction, couldn't help but shiver. He seemed to be enjoying their argument, which was—unsettling.
Just then, Akeno approached Rias and whispered something in her ear.
Rias stopped arguing. "I have a matter to attend to. Akeno, Mika, come with me."
"Certainly," Mika replied with a smile. He knew their target: the Fallen Angels. This aligned perfectly with his plan.
"Wait, Buchou!" Issei tried to interrupt, but Rias stopped him, explaining the abilities of Pawn pieces and how to use a Sacred Gear. Then, with Akeno and Mika, she stepped into the magic circle and vanished.
They materialized in a forest, a church visible in the distance.
"You're quite devious, Buchou," Mika chuckled. "You already planned this, yet you kept berating Issei."
"It's all part of his training," Rias replied with a smile.
--
"Unlike you, Mika, Issei lacks a solid experience. He needs to start from scratch."
"And for him, mastering his Sacred Gear is more effective than simply enhancing his Devil abilities. After all—it's Boosted Gear."
"And to enhance a Sacred Gear, one needs strong willpower."
"I believe he has the potential, so naturally, I have to—nurture it."
Akeno nodded in agreement. Using a guaranteed victory to motivate Issei was a clever tactic.
"As expected of a Devil, Buchou," Mika teased.
Rias simply smiled, clearly pleased with his assessment. After all, she was a Devil.
…
As they approached the church, Mika smiled.
"What is it, Mika?" Akeno, walking beside him, asked curiously.
"Nothing. It's just that—all the actors are in place."
Rias and Akeno instantly understood.
"They're all here?"
"Yes," Mika chuckled.
"Issei, Yuuto, and Koneko have reached the base of the mountain and are preparing to infiltrate the church. And right ahead—three Fallen Angels are waiting for us."
"Three Fallen Angels—" A smile played on Rias's lips. They were precisely who she was looking for.
"Since our hosts are already waiting, let's not keep them waiting any longer." She quickened her pace. They had been moving slowly to give Issei and the others time to reach their positions.
...
They soon sensed the Fallen Angels' auras, and a blue-haired Fallen Angel appeared before them.
"So you finally arrived. Trying to sneak in, little rats?"
"I am Kalawarner. I've been expecting you." She sneered, clearly looking down on them.
Rias, Mika, and Akeno didn't respond.
"What's wrong? Scared?" two more voices called out.
"Hahaha! Didn't expect us to be waiting for you, did you?" Two more Fallen Angels appeared.
They introduced themselves as Dohnaseek and Mittelt, both grinning smugly. Dohnaseek was male, Mittelt female.
"This is Gremory territory. What right do you Fallen Angels have to perform your rituals here? Are you trying to start a war between Devils and Fallen Angels?" Rias demanded.
"Hmph. Don't try to threaten us, little girl from the Gremory family," Dohnaseek scoffed. "This is a secret operation, unsanctioned by our superiors. We'll simply eliminate all witnesses, and no one will ever know."
"Therefore, you will die here."
"A secret operation, you say?" Mika murmured, a subtle smile playing on his lips, mirrored by Rias and Akeno.
"Your ritual—it involves extracting a Sacred Gear from that nun, Asia, doesn't it?"
"That's right," Kalawarner confirmed, perhaps believing they were already as good as dead.
"This ritual was orchestrated by Raynare. She intends to extract the Twilight Healing, from that nun. It possesses ultimate healing powers. With it, Raynare will be invincible. And those of us who assist her will be rewarded handsomely."
"I see—" Rias nodded, pleased to have learned their intentions.
"A secret operation—how convenient. I imagine no one would suspect us if you were to—disappear." She turned to Mika. "I'll leave them to you. You've been eager for some real combat, haven't you?"
"Indeed." Mika stepped forward, summoning his [Radiant Spear].
"I've been quite curious about Fallen Angels." A predatory grin spread across his face as he charged, his spear aimed at Kalawarner.
"He's fast!" She quickly dodged, spreading her wings. As a Fallen Angel, her speed was immense.
Dohnaseek and Mittelt, who had been perched on a nearby tree, swooped down, summoning light spears and attacking Mika.
He sidestepped, narrowly avoiding their attacks. Then, as he passed Mittelt, his spear flashed, slicing her in half.
"Argh!" Dohnaseek and Kalawarner, who had ascended into the air, watched in horror as Mittelt's body fell to the ground in two pieces.
Mika landed gracefully, his spear resting on his shoulder.
In a single move, she was dead.
They couldn't comprehend his speed.
But one thing was clear: they were no match for him.
'We have to escape,' they both thought simultaneously.
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