"There are two types of Exorcists," Rias said, her voice calm but serious as I sat on the couch, letting the healing magic work on my battered legs.
I listened quietly, my fists clenched at my sides.
"The first type is what most people think of—Exorcists who are blessed by God and the Angels. They're warriors of light who believe in their duty to cleanse evil. They borrow divine power to purge Devils, Fallen Angels, and evil spirits."
She paused, giving me a glance to see if I was following.
"And then," she continued, her voice dipping slightly, "there are the other kind. The ones who lose themselves in the hunt."
"The 'Stray Exorcists'..." I muttered, recalling Freed's maniacal laughter.
"Yes," Rias confirmed. "Exorcism, by its nature, is a sacred act meant to protect humans. But sometimes, those who wield that power lose their way. They become obsessed—not with justice, but with slaughter. They find joy in killing Devils. When that happens, the Church excommunicates them or—if they're deemed too dangerous—they are erased."
"Erased," I said softly. "So they're killed."
She nodded grimly. "Most are. But a few survive. And when they do, they almost always end up in the hands of the Fallen Angels."
I listened carefully, trying to commit every word to memory. These were things I should've known. Maybe I *did* know and just never understood the weight of it before.
"Even though the Fallen Angels were cast out of Heaven, they still retain the power of light—the power to kill Devils," she explained. "They lost many of their kind during the Great War. To replenish their forces, they've started recruiting... misfits. Strays. Beings who've been cast out elsewhere."
"Like Freed," I said, now fully understanding what he was.
"Exactly," Rias said. "Stray Exorcists like him are unbound by rules. They're more dangerous than official ones because they don't care about collateral damage. They kill freely, recklessly. And thanks to the Fallen Angels, they're powerful. That church you went to? It doesn't belong to God. It's under the control of the Fallen."
She looked at me squarely now, her beautiful crimson eyes filled with a quiet intensity.
"That's the kind of group you almost died fighting. Getting involved with them again... is dangerous."
Getting involved with the group where more shits like that exist is dangerous. I know that. I really do.
But.
So I have to say it to Rias.
My heart wouldn't let it go. That image of Asia—her shaking hands, her eyes full of confusion and pain, that soft voice calling my name. She didn't belong in that world. She didn't deserve to be surrounded by monsters like Freed.
I couldn't let her die there.
"President..." I said, raising my eyes to hers. "I need to save that girl. Asia."
Rias's expression didn't change. She didn't blink.
"It's impossible," she said. "You're a Devil now. She's under the protection of the Fallen Angels. Two kinds that cannot coexist. Trying to save her means declaring war on them. And if you do... then we're dragged into it too."
She looked away slightly, her voice hardening. "I can't allow that."
These are the times, I really hate being someone's servant.
But then I remembered something. Something important.
"She's not just any girl," I said, standing up even though my legs still ached. "She has a Sacred Gear."
Rias's eyes snapped back to me. "A Sacred Gear?"
I nodded. "Yeah. I saw her use it before. It's incredible. She can heal anyone—any wound, any damage. It's like... like a miracle."
"A healing-type Sacred Gear?" Akeno, who'd been quietly listening from behind, whispered in surprise. "Those are rare."
"You saw what Freed and those Fallen creeps are doing. You think they care about her? They'll *use* her. And when she's no longer useful..."
I trailed off.
Rias looked thoughtful now, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes.
"She's being manipulated. Controlled," I continued. "She doesn't belong with them. She doesn't want to hurt anyone. She's kind. Gentle. That power of hers—she uses it to help, not to harm. That's not someone we leave behind."
Rias sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"You're speaking with your heart," she said quietly. "But do you know what that means?"
"It means I'm willing to fight for what I believe in," I replied. "Even if that means going alone."
Her eyes narrowed. "You're still my servant. You don't get to act recklessly without consequence."
I didn't flinch. "Then punish me later. But right now\... I'm not leaving her behind."
The room fell into silence.
The others said nothing. Even Kiba looked at me with something like sympathy.
Rias turned away, walking slowly to the window.
"I didn't give you permission," she said after a moment.
I stayed silent.
"But," she continued, her voice much softer now, "I also can't keep track of all your movements, can I?"
I blinked.
She turned her head slightly, enough for me to see the faintest trace of a smirk on her lips.
"A servant wandering off once in a while... it happens," she said. "And if I happen to be busy with... student council matters, I won't be around to notice."
~~~
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