The group reappeared in the Occult Research Club, back from the hunt.

“Rias-senpai, all done for tonight?” Roy asked.

“Yes,” Rias smiled.

“Today’s main task was hunting that Stray.”

“Now we just report to the Underworld authorities and handle the paperwork.”

“Cool, I’m heading home then,” Roy turned to leave.

“Want me to escort you, Roy-kun?” Akeno giggled.

“The night’s dangerous, you know.”

“Pass, thanks,” Roy said, waving her off.

“Sure about that?”

“That Stray was just a Low-Class devil, the bottom rung.”

“There’s plenty of Middle-Class devils and higher out there.”

“Run into one, and you’re in trouble.”

“Kuoh Town’s under Rias-senpai’s watch, so it’s safe as houses,” Roy said, lying through his teeth.

“Those guys don’t hit the busy spots, right?”

Kuoh was anything but safe.

As main area, it drew top-tier threats who could level cities with a flick.

The town’s survival owed everything to plot armor.

“Ara ara, high marks for flattery,” Akeno chuckled.

Rias gave a wry smile, amused by Roy’s dodge.

“I’m off,” Roy said, bidding farewell and leaving Kuoh Academy.

“Rias, what now?” Akeno sighed once Roy was gone.

“This guy’s a tough nut.”

“Tonight didn’t faze him, and he’s dead-set on staying human.”

“Strong-willed talent is worth my time,” Rias said coolly.

“If a little temptation swayed him, I’d be disappointed.”

“Tch, acting all calm when you’re the most eager,” Akeno added word by word.

“Love’s blind, huh?”

“Stop it,” Rias said, exasperated.

“How about this?” Akeno said, eyes glinting.

“If soft tactics fail, seduce him.”

Rias raised an eyebrow.

“Roy came to Kuoh for you,” Akeno said, mock-serious.

“Show some charm, and he’s yours.”

“Why don’t you try?” Rias shot back, rolling her eyes.

“I would!” Akeno said, feigning a sigh.

“But Roy’s not into me. If I could, I’d sacrifice for you, Rias.”

Her earnest tone didn’t match her grin.

“Slow and steady it is,” Rias voiced out.

Roy wasn’t a quick win.

She’d boil the frog—gradually ease him into accepting devils, until he’d join her peerage as her Knight.

Back at his villa, Roy showered, then opened check the church’s activity.

After a minute, he hit paydirt.

Amid the church’s usual silence, chaotic footsteps echoed—ten or more people, judging by the varied rhythms.

“Lord Fallen Angel, you there? Freed Sellzen, reporting!” a manic voice rang out.

Roy recognized it—Freed Sellzen, the stray exorcist from the anime.

“You’re Freed? Quite the crowd,” Raynare replied.

“Yup, that’s me!” Freed said, his exaggerated tone unshaken.

“These are my lackeys, tagging along.”

“Quite the number,” Raynare said.

“Where’s Asia? I don’t see her.”

“Yeah, Freed, where’s Asia?” Mittelt’s voice chimed in.

“No Asia, no deal.”

“Asia Argento, the cutie?” Freed cackled.

“She’s still in Europe!”

“Europe?” Raynare’s tone chilled.

“Freed, you failed?”

“Fail? Me? Never!” Freed said.

“Moving with Asia’s too conspicuous.”

“The church’s dogs would sniff us out, and snatching her would’ve been a mess.”

“So, I told her to buy a ticket and fly here.”

“By herself?” Raynare asked, her voice softening.

“She lands the day after tomorrow!” Freed replied.

“Fine,” Raynare said.

“If Asia doesn’t show in Kuoh Town then, you’re dead.”

“Scary, scary! But what a fiery stare! Worthy of a fallen angel!” Freed crowed.

“Stay put in the church,” Raynare ordered.

“Clean the basement. I’ll need it when Asia arrives.”

“Move it, grunts! Lord Fallen Angel’s got work for us!” Freed barked.

…

“The day after tomorrow, huh?” Roy muttered.

A date, but no time.

“Guess I’ll scout the church that night.”

For two days, things stayed quiet.

Post-Stray Devil hunt, Rias eased off her schemes.

Roy’s Occult Research Club visits were chill—snacks, games, and devil lore briefings.

At this rate, he’d pack on pounds by semester’s end.

After school, Roy told Rias he’d skip the club, citing “floor tile repairs” at home.

“Roy, when’re you hitting the kendo club with us?” Katase called as he left.

“Meguri’s still got you on her radar.”

“Meguri Tomoe?” Roy asked.

He’d used her as a pawn against Sona Sitri, but hadn’t expected her to care.

He’d avoided the student council, and Sona hadn’t pressed him since her clash with Rias.

Maybe they’d hashed it out, or Sona found a new target.

“Been busy with the Occult Research Club,” Roy said.

“Just joined, so I’m getting the hang of it.”

“What do you guys do?” Murayama asked.

“You’re even there at lunch sometimes.”

“Club secrets,” Roy grinned.

“When’re you free?” Aika cut in.

“We’re your girlfriends, after all.”

Roy rolled his eyes.

Aika’s nerve was unreal, but Katase and Murayama didn’t correct her.

“Next week, maybe. This week’s packed.”

“Deal,” the trio nodded.

After farewells, Roy planned to hit the villa, then the church after dark. At his door, his hand on the knob, his curiosity pinged.

He opened the door casually, stepping into the living room.

“Yo! Welcome back!” a voice crowed.

On the sofa sat a white-haired man in garb, reeking of blood.

His twisted, exaggerated grin screamed ‘Freed Sellzen.’

“Peace? Hahaha!” Freed said, his tone hip-hop mockery.

“That’s the Japanese thing, right?”

“Not quite, Father Freed,” Roy said dryly.

Freed’s laugh turned manic.

“Die with a blade through your heart, or your head lopped off? That’s my style!”

“You talk too much,” Roy narrowed.

“Why’re you in my house, spouting this crap?”

This was Freed—white hair, manic voice, rogue vibes.

“Oh? Not scared? No trembling?” Freed tilted his head, his grin sadistic.

“Or are you playing dumb?”

He tossed a black cube onto the table.

“Bold move, monitoring a fallen angel! Boring, though.”

“Caught that, huh?” Roy looked unfaze.

“Ha! Admitting it?” Freed cackled.

“Too easy. It was under the altar—spotted it day one.”

“Those idiot fallen angels got spied on for days and didn’t notice. Hilarious!”

Roy wasn’t shocked.

Freed, unlike the tech-averse fallen angels, was sharp enough to spot cameras.

Finding it a day after hitting Kuoh meant he’d torn the church apart.

“Where’s Asia Argento?”

“Coveting her?” Freed sneered.

“Asia’s a gem—pretty, with that Twilight Healing.”

“But she’s the fallen angels’ prize. No dice for you.”

Freed drew a bladeless hilt.

With a buzz, a white Light Sword extended, vibrating like a laser.

“All you get is my love!” Freed’s grin twisted, his eyes blazing with madness.

“I was gonna knife you quick on Raynare’s orders, but now?”

“Your devil-stinking house reeks! Mixing with them all day? You’re trash!”

“I’m chopping you to bits!”

—

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