Chapter 8 - The Wicked Revelation

Utter destruction...

That was the best way to describe what Zelretch was currently seeing. He had monitored Issei who had suddenly appeared again and told him to create another artificial dimension, however, unlike the boy's usual voice when he asked for something, this one was grave and empty.

It took a moment for Zelretch to realize why the boy was angry. It seemed that the boy found out the truth about a certain matter and now wished to blow off some steam since he couldn't do anything other than throw a tantrum for the moment. The Vampire could feel even Ddraig's enraged aura leaking out without any attempt from Issei to be restrain it, indicating how pissed off he was.

Zelretch, without a word, created a dimension by using a part of the Dimensional Gap. After all, he had a good connection with the big scaly dragon who currently resided there, so creating one wasn't hard.

The old wizard also created not just a big space but one that was quite a durable too, and he did not regret it seeing how Issei immediately exploded into Balance Breaker and began to throw crimson beams and Broken Phantasms enhanced by his Boosted Gear around.

He made sure to create a big enough area to contain one small region and in less than 10 minutes, half of it had already been turned into nothing but a wasteland under Issei's rampage.

Well, he couldn't blame the boy for being this angry, what he had just found out would probably make every hero's blood boil. It was a dirty and sick action that perhaps even rivaled how Zouken Matou threw his adopted granddaughter into his pit of worms while laughing, or it could be worse, it depended on how people viewed it.

The vampire caught sight of the red armored boy who was holding a red bow and sword that was shaped like... Zelretch recognized the sword at one glance, that was definitely an altered Caladbolg, however, the bow that he had created was actually new, where did it come from?

BOOOOOOOM!

One thing that Zelretch could say as he let out an impressed whistle was, in the aspect of destructive power, Issei's Balance Breaker was clearly a match for an Ultimate-class devil or even more, seeing how he had just destroy the rest of the untouched place with that Caladbolg. And unlike one launched by EMIYA, this one was red with a green outline whose explosion rivaled a small nuke. The place it had hit was now nothing but scorched earth at this point.

Another new technique? No... That Caladbolg was Boosted before being turned into a Broken Phantasm, that was very impressive. To do that took a great deal of control, it seemed that the boy's rage allowed him to be more focused to destroy his enemy. It was not the crazy rage of a berserker, but a calm and cold fury, the fury of someone that could plan his vengeance for a long time.

Or you could said, it was the wrath of a King.

Zelretch saw Issei flying at him, still clad in his red armor and his red dragon wings sprouting from his back. Slowly the wings stopped flapping and he landed in front of him.

The armor shattered, like glass that was struck with steel. As it broke and shattered, Issei's body lowered itself as he held on to his knee, gasping for breath while having sweat flowing down his face.

"Satisfied?" Zelretch asked and Issei only glared at him. "Still not? You are that exhausted already, better stop it before you drop dead."

Issei stared at Zelretch and snorted. "Don't tell me you worry about me, old man?"

"I don't... It'd just be a shame if you died this soon, and aren't you going to have a big event soon? If you're going to collapse from exhaustion and can't participate due to that, it won't be funny." Zelretch snorted back with a grin, although he knew Issei could actually still go a few rounds without being completely exhausted.

Meanwhile Issei's eyes sharpened at the mentioned event that was going to come soon. He could feel his blood boil slightly already.

"You are right... At least now I'm calm enough..." Issei said as he stood firm and flexed his shoulder. "I can't afford to be exhausted more than this... It's better if I save all of this rage..."

Zelretch only stared quietly as he looked at Issei. The boy's face was a mask of calm rage, and his steel eyes were filled with nothing but fury that was ready to be unleashed.

"Killing him in anger is not the right to do, you know..." Zelretch said.

"My anger is well reasoned, old man!" Issei hissed. "After what he has done, does he think he can escape easily? After what he has done to Asia?!"

"Your rage and anger is well reasoned, but if you kill him in this state it will only make you lower than him."

"What is the difference if I kill him in rage or kill him in a calm condition?! Murder is murder! There is no difference!"

"You know well that there is!" Zelretch barked, making Issei flinch. "You know very well that there is a difference... Killing someone in the name of vengeance is different from justice... It's not you who is talking when you say there is no difference, it's EMIYA..." He stated, making Issei's eyes widen. "That man no longer feels anything, in his eyes murder is murder, there is nothing else. He is a man who lacks everything, a man who never loses anything because he doesn't have anything in the first place. He doesn't have pride, he doesn't have anger, he doesn't feel happiness, he is simply a void... In his eyes murder is murder..."

Issei felt himself just struck to the core when Zelretch finished speaking. What Zelretch said was true, he knew well there was a difference between killing in rage and killing with a calm mind. This event was really clouding his mind. He had known that he would have to face things like this in the future, but he never thought it would be this soon.

After taking a deep breath, he tried to calm himself and it worked as he felt his mind become less troubled. "The path of becoming a hero really isn't easy, huh... Especially for a beginner." Issei muttered with a small chuckle and Zelretch snorted.

"You should speak about that with EMIYA. I'm not the guy who you should ask that." Zelretch said simply. "So, you finally done?"

"Yeah..." Issei grunted as he cracked his shoulder. "I'm finally done... Let's go home... I need to rest so I can kill that bastard." He said and Zelretch nodded as a magic circle formed beneath them, ready to teleport them.

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Earlier

Well... Damn...

Among all things I predicted or expected, this was actually something that never crossed my mind. To think that the Church would try to recruit Asia back, that was really unexpected.

I mean, after what happened to her, I didn't think the Church was really willing to take her back. I didn't mean to imply that Asia was not important but the 'Holy Maiden' title was not that high, if you put it in mundane terms, they were almost like a Governor who handled one province, that was how worthy a 'Holy Maiden' was. And the Church was big, REALLY big! I wouldn't be surprised if there were a hundred nuns who held the tittle of 'Holy Maiden'.

The title was given to nun that possessed a special ability or talent, either it came from their bloodline or a Sacred Gear. In Asia's case it was her Twilight Healing, but there were many others as well. So to think Asia, one of those 'Holy Maidens', would be recruited back was very surprising, not to mention the one who came to collect her was Ewald Cristaldi.

I could understand why Mittelt was now staring at Ewald with a very wary expression and why Asia gasped in surprise and shock when she heard this priest's name, even I was quite shocked when I finally read the sword in front of me.

Ewald Cristaldi, or Cardinal Deacon Ewald Cristaldi, was the original wielder of Durandal. He was a veteran warrior despite his appearance as a middle aged man, and he was a normal human that did not possess any Sacred Gear or ability save for his talent to wield holy swords, and yet he was able to slay an Ultimate-class Devil by himself, alone and without aid save for the Excalibur fragments. And not just devils, he also dealt with an eight winged fallen angel who had been running rampant and causing problems.

This man... As long he was holding that one sword, I doubted Sona and Rias's whole group would stand a chance. This guy was very strong, even without that sword he was already fast enough to handle my speed and when he held that sword even I had a difficult time against him despite me having superior strength.

Granted, I was tired and exhausted because of my training. I had just done a straight 12 hours of training! Give me a break, even if I still could hold out against him, most of my strength was already depleted! The fight would have been very different if I had had my full power.

However, the same could be said about him. This man was the user of three swords. Him only using one was proof that he had also been holding back, you could say that currently we were at a stalemate since I didn't have my full power and he didn't have all of his swords.

Whatever I said, it didn't change the fact that this man was someone you had to be wary of, he was very skilled to the point that even being overwhelmed by strength he was still able to win. He probably had the equivalent of "True Eye of the Mind" if he were categorized as a Servant.

And that sword...

For the sake of the God of the Bible who was already dead, I swore I could hear EMIYA laughing his ass off while rolling on the ground somehow. At the same time Gilgamesh produced a sound somewhere between a mocking laugh and an enraged yell due to having the Excalibur of the famous Arturia Pendragon reduced to... reduced to that sword.

If it was put in the category of Noble Phantasms, this sword would only be a D+ level Noble Phantasm! It was even lower than Kanshou and Bakuya! Granted it would be a C-ranked one if it struck a devil and was wielded by a proper user, perhaps someone like Ewald, but in the hands of a simple exorcist? It was lower than Kanshou that even I could snap it by simply reinforcing my arm and using Boost on myself with Ddraig's power!

Granted, the Excalibur in this world had not been forged by the Lady of Lake and it also wasn't a crystallized phenomenon using the wishes of mankind as basis. Instead it was forged by the God of the Bible, by the hand of the God who was thought to be the creator of humans. I thought it might be enough at least to count it as a replacement.

However, when it was broken and God was dead, no one could reforge it. According to the history I got from this sword, Heaven and the Church wanted to reforg the sword through alchemy but failed. The sword couldn't be recreated by them. So they made seven pieces from it, but in the end it still wasn't complete and the swords were nothing but pale imitations.

Yes, they had a few unique powers and were probably quite dangerous, but only to devils and also, the sword was fragile, it was almost like staring at a half-baked cake or in my case, this sword was a failure to be traced.

No wonder EMIYA had been laughing his ass off until now while muttering 'Excalibur? Really? Excaliboom or Excalibit is better.' He probably used weapons like this as Broken Phantasms and projectiles rather than wielding them.

And Gilgamesh still had not stopped yelling about 'Mongrels daring to taint his beloved's sword, their creations were not even worthy of licking the real one!'

Don't ask how I could hear them, I just did somehow and for the sake of my sanity I didn't want to know how, it was probably that old vampire trying to mess with my head again.

And to add to the insult, this sword probably wouldn't even give a scratch to Berserker's - the Heracles version - skin, no matter how many times you slashed him with it. The giant would probably laugh before flicking your head off from your body, or worse, the sword would break just when it made contact with him. Even if you used it as a Broken Phantasm, Berserker would probably only scratch his skin and say 'some bug just stung me'.

God I could imagine it already in my head, a chibi priest wielding Excalibur Rapidly and striking a chibi Berserker while shouting 'For God', only for the sword to be broken when touching the chibi giant, and then the giant would respond by swinging his axe-sword stone and turning the chibi priest into nothing but a porridge of blood and gory flesh.

That was clearly not a pleasant image, how my mind came up with that I didn't know, but one thing was sure, I blamed Zelretch for that.

"Thank you Asia..." I grunted as I felt the warm light on my shoulder disappearing along with the last bit of discomfort.

Asia, who had been healing me from the wounds of my training, gave me a warm smile and nodded. This girl really was almost like a true angel. The exiled nun turned to Ewald who was sitting in front of us with the same refreshing smile.

"Cristaldi-sama, may I heal your wounds too?" She asked nicely.

Ewald gave Asia a gentle smile and nodded, he extended one hand that had a bruise mark on his wrist. "You may, child. It seems my small confrontation with Hyoudou-san here dislocated some of my joint." He said, accepting the offer.

It seemed he also had not escaped completely unharmed, well he must have underestimated my strength at one point and it had resulted in his muscle spraining.

It had been fifteen minutes since we started to fix this room and the room's condition was... Better than before at least. The destroyed floor and ceiling were already fixed, the room's condition was back to normal but the destroyed furniture was something else.

You couldn't just create a TV that was destroyed out of nowhere using magic, well maybe you could but that was only if you were an expert on that subject. And between our current group none were experts for that, I, myself was only able to use small elemental magic and floating in the sky, at that level clearly I couldn't be called an expert, beginner was a better title for me.

Right now we were sitting in the dining room since the living room's condition was beyond repair, everything was mostly destroyed so it left the room blank, almost like a new room. There were no chairs or anything else, so we had to use the dining room to talk properly.

As Asia finished healing him, Ewald stared at his hand and flexed it, probably trying to test it and he seemed to be satisfied as he glanced to Asia with a smile. "That healing ability of yours is superb, just like the rumors say." He praised her and Asia smiled in gentle manner.

"Thank you, Cristaldi-sama."

"Please, just call me Father..." Ewald told her and Asia nodded. "Let's get to business then."

Hearing that, we all straightened our posture. Asia herself moved to a chair on my side, and Ewald also put on a serious face while staring at us.

"First, I want to apologize for what I did before. I came and attacked Mittelt-san over here and caused quite a bit of damage to this place." Ewald apologized politely.

"It's fine." I grunted, my face still stoic. "I'm sure you're not completely at fault, Mittelt here," I glanced at the fallen angel who showed me a surprised look. "Can also act quite aggressively, right?"

"Eh?!" Mittelt blurted in surprise. "B-But! I didn't do anything!"

"Really?" I asked dully. "You didn't do anything that showed you were going to fight? No making any offensive moves?"

"Err..." Mittelt scratched her cheeks sheepishly at that. "If you put it that way..."

I only sighed while shaking my head, I was sure Mittelt also provoked Ewald actually and I was not surprised. She still harbored some ill feelings against humans after all and it wasn't just a wound that you could heal with ease, especially if the human was an exorcist, like the ones who killed her parents.

I put my hand on her head and she perked up. I gave her a reassuring smile that told her I wasn't angry and ruffled her hair, making her blush slightly and lower her head again due to embarrassment.

"I apologize for the behavior of Mittelt here, Cristaldi-san." I said to Ewald. "I'm sure she acted quite offensive and it made you respond to it by attacking."

Ewald looked at me with a strange look for moment before nodding. "I accept the apology as well."

"Good." I smiled a little before removing my hand from Mittelt's head. "Now, would you explain to me what you meant by wanting Asia back?"

"Right." Ewald nodded with a stoic face. "As you can see Asia-san here was accused as a witch and betrayer of Christ due to being able heal a devil. Sacred Gears are a gift that God bestowed upon us so we could defend ourselves from supernatural creatures that target us, one of those creatures being devils." He explained to us and we nodded. "So it would be a great shock that the power to heal devils were suddenly to exist. We don't know how it happened but there is a theory: Sacred Gears are tools that are connected to the user's feeling and -"

"You all concluded Asia here was a witch that had a black heart and thus could heal devils." I said and I could see Asia's eyes widening in horror at that. Ewald gave me a nod with a solemn face. I did not hold back my snort. "Are you fucking kidding me? You look at her now." I pointed at Asia who looked horrified. "If she is a witch, then what does that make you? Ewald Cristaldi." I asked with a menacing glare.

"I-Issei-san!" Asia called me but I ignored her and continued.

"Judging from Mittelt reaction there is no doubt you must have been a top notch exorcist before becoming a Cardinal. How many have you killed Cristaldi-san? How much blood taints your hand?" I continued to ask."So much that even you can't measure it anymore, right? And yet they praise your name and call you with an honorable title for the slaughter that you did." I chuckled in a sarcastic manner. "Isn't a being like you who slaughtered more than hundreds supposed to be called a monster? Why is Asia, who did not kill anyone and only healed others, being called a witch?"

Ewald didn't show any sign of being offended or anything when I started talking and pointing the facts out to him. He sat there in silence and stared at me with a stoic face while listening to my insults and rant.

"Believe me, there is an explanation for that. However, as much I hate to say it, I can't explain it to an outsider." Ewald responded to me while closing his eyes for a moment before reopening them. "But one thing is sure, there's proof that Asia-san here is not what she was accused to be and if she comes with me we can clean her name."

Asia stared at Ewald with wide eyes when she heard that. I could tell there was a gleam of hope growing in her eyes. Proof, huh? What did they find?

"And why do you want to clean Asia's name in the first place? For what reason do you need Asia back?" I asked. There had to be some motive why they wanted Asia back, but what?

"Believe it or not, our intentions are sincere." Ewald answered and I furrowed my eyebrows. The priest let out a sigh "Issei-san, I know that from your perspective and considering what we did we are probably the bad guys in your eyes, and I can't blame you. But you have to trust me this time, we really are sincere and genuine. The Church is trying to save a lost lamb like Asia here. She's not the first one who got her title and reputation returned." He told me and I only stared silently.

Well, I couldn't just rebuke that statement. While it was true that the Church had shown a bad attitude so far, it didn't mean there were no good people in there. I guess this Ewald Cristaldi person was one of them, although I still wouldn't let my guard down.

"And what exactly is the proof you have to fix Asia's reputation? You can share it with us, surely it won't also be a secret, right?" I asked with narrowed eyes and Ewald shook his head.

"You are the one who saved Miss Asia in the first place from the fallen angels, right? Then you deserve to know about this too. And Mittelt-san over here is a fallen angel that is kind to Asia I take it?" He asked back and I nodded.

"For an exorcist you're quite civil to a fallen angel." I remarked with a small smirk and he only chuckled in response.

"I don't see this world only in black and white." He told me before clearing his throat. "Back to the topic, as you can see when Asia was exiled, Cardinal Priest Vasco Strada tried to help her so she would not get exiled."

Another gasp came from Mittelt and Asia when they heard the name Ewald spoke. So it was another figure at the top of the Church's food chain. Apparently Asia was quite favored by important people in the Church. I made a mental note to ask them about this person later.

"However, when Strada-sama tried to gather the proof of Asia-san being innocent, the other people had already made the decision by themselves, making it too late to save her. However, that doesn't mean Strada-sama was willing to give up, he went to the Cardinal who was responsible for Asia-san's exile and talked with him, trying to prove her innocence." Ewald explained to us.

"Strada-sama..." Asia murmured. It was clear by her tone that she was very happy hearing that.

"After a few debates, Strada-sama got the permission to do an investigation and he was able to prove that Asia-san here is innocent, so Asia-san's name and reputation will be restored. And Strada-sama did his job very well." Ewald said to us. He then began to put his hand in his robe and pulled out a folder. He opened it and pulled out a paper which he gave to Asia. "Tell me, Asia-san. The devil you saved, does his appearance match the description on this paper?"

Asia began to take the paper and I also glanced at it with my reinforced eyes. Black short hair, around the age of 17 - 19, pale milky skin, yellow-brown eyes, handsome face, picture included.

Yep, the devil in that picture was clearly Diodora.

"Y-Yeah. I-It's him..." Asia said with a nod and I immediately saw Ewald's face turn grim as if he had just confirmed something bad.

"Asia-san, when I said Strada-sama took his investigation seriously, I really meant it. Strada-sama read the data and tried to find a flaw in your accusation. He searched for the devil's appearance by asking the priest that saw you healing him and after he did he searched for him through the data in the Church and he found something. He found one flaw..." Ewald pulled out a pack of documents from the folder before he placed them on the table.

We all reached for the documents and began to read them.

Name : Lucy Westwood

Age : 16

Height : 158cm

Weight : 49kg

Status : Exiled

Lucy Westwood was one of the Holy Maidens in the Christian Church. She possessed large mana reserves and used them to learn simple healing spells, however, one day she was caught making a conversation with a devil and after some investigation we find out that Lucy Westwood and the unknown devil were already in contact for a few months. Because of that Lucy Westwood was exiled for making contact with an unknown devil that sneaked into Church territory without telling it to the relevant people.

I narrowed my eyes at the data. Excommunicated for talking with a devil? Well, seeing the devil was in Church territory, it was actually quite dangerous. The devil could have tried to gather intel while using the nun as a cover. After finishing reading it, I flipped the document and read another one.

Name : Michelle Angelika

Age : 15

Height : 161cm

Weight : 48kg

Status : Exiled

Michelle Angelika was one of the nuns that followed the training program to be a combat exorcist, however, in the middle of her training she was sighted helping a devil who was fighting a group of people that were trying to kill him. According to Michelle the group simply wanted to kill the devil because it was their nature and Michelle couldn't accept it since the devil didn't do anything wrong to begin with. The people she drove away began to protest and it caused a small riot, thus causing her exile.

Another Nun that was exiled? This time my eyes became grimmer, somehow I didn't like where this was going. I began to put the document away and began to read another one.

After the third document I realized it. With each file I read I could feel my blood freeze and my heart stop beating for a moment before resuming. I kept reading the files before tossing them away and beginning to re-read the files again to make sure I was right.

"W-What the hell is this?" I muttered with disbelief and wide eyes while reading the files.

Mittelt and Asia, who were reading the files as well, didn't seem to notice it. They showed a confused expression and didn't understand what they just read other than simply data of nuns or Church people that were exiled.

"Tell me, Asia-san. The devil you saved, did his appearance match the description on this paper?"

Ewald words echoed in the back of my mind as I kept re-reading the files. My hand was shaking and my skin also got paler slightly, I could tell Asia and Mittelt called out to me in worry but I ignored them as I extended my still shaking hand, trying to deny the possibility and the horror that could happen and going for the file that I still hadn't read.

Anya de Vallerie, a nun that learned light magic from the Church, exiled due to making a secret pact with a devil and getting found out. Claudia Strauss, holy maiden that specialized in using purifying flame, exiled due to making contact with a devil as well.

Devil, Devil, Devil, Devil and Devil...

"Asia-san, when I said Strada-sama took his investigation seriously, I really meant it. Strada-sama read the data and tried to find a flaw in your accusation. He searched for the devil's appearance by asking the priest that saw you healing him and after he did he searched for him through the data in the Church and he found something. He found one flaw..."

No... No... No... No... NO! He didn't... He didn't... That... That MAN DIDN'T! It was probably just a coincidence! There was no way! I knew he was a bastard, but surely he didn't go on such a level of low! He was of Rias and Sona's generation! Zelretch himself said the current generation of devils was quite tame! So... So...

Quite tame... But that didn't mean they couldn't bite you... Even a pet snake will eat its master's baby if it was hungry...

There were no coincidences... All... All were set up... These poor nuns who were as pure as Asia or even more perhaps...

Oh God... Oh Jesus... Oh Virgin Mary please, please have mercy on these souls...

"God... Oh God..." I breathed out with shock, I lifted my face and stared at Ewald with a horrified look and he only gave me a solemn nod with a grave look.

"What?! What is actually happening?! Issei! Oi! Tell me!" Mittelt demanded at my side but I was still in shock so I couldn't answer her. It was Ewald who told her.

"Tell me Mittelt-san, what is the similarity you found in these files of exiled nuns?" Ewald asked grimly and Mittelt scowled, she seemed to take a moment to think about it.

"They were all exiled because of de..." Mittelt trailed off as her eyes widened in shock and disbelief. I had no doubt she was aware of it already, even Asia was able to put it together as she let out gasp and had tears emerge from the corner of her eyes.

"No..." Asia whimpered weakly.

"All of them were exiled due to making contact with a devil, and according to the witnesses Strada-sama was able to gather, the devil's appearance exactly matches the one in there." Ewald gestured to Diodora's information that was lying on the table. "All of them happened just in the span of four years, 15 Holy Maiden exiled or excommunicated due to making contact with him and afterward we never saw them again."

Even I was still in the middle of disbelief and shock. I could hear Asia begin to sob and Mittelt had already moved to comfort her while Ewald silently stared at Asia with pity.

This was... This was bullshit... All those nuns and holy maidens... Girls who were innocent and pure... Gone... I had no doubt Diodora turned them into slaves already...

I knew... I knew I should have provoked him further so he would have attacked me and I could have snapped his neck... If that had happened, at least I could have declared he got what he deserved for all those girls he broke and turned into nothing but slaves.

And moreover I should have known he was actually that kind of person... From Asia's story it should have been obvious... Why would he ask a nun for help when there was a hospital half a mile away? And moreover, how could he have known Asia was able to heal him? Why did he not bother to hide his true form but instead had his bat-like wings out in the open so that no one that laid their eyes upon him would doubt what he was? It was clear that he had wanted to use Asia in first place.

I should have known all of this, it was very obvious... And yet...

Ah... Ah... What was this feeling? What was this empty feeling inside me? Ah... Could it be the feeling of regret and powerlessness...? Is this how EMIYA felt when he recalled how he can't save Rin and all of his friends? Was this why he tried his best to insist to think he never lost anything? To crush the void that was eating his heart?

I let out a bitter and humorless laugh, it probably caught everyone's attention and I could tell Mittelt called my name but yet, it did not register in my mind.

All those girls... I failed to save them, they had already become what Diodora wanted. All those girls who could have been kinder and more innocent than Asia... Gone just like that... All of this happened in the past so I couldn't do anything about it, I couldn't do shit to fix this and save those girls. They have been under Diodora's grasp for years already, their souls and hearts probably already dead and tied to Diodora. They probably couldn't live without him anymore.

Ahh... What a mess. What a mess...

I let out sigh while shaking my head, a bitter smile adorned my face and I let the files I held fall from my fingers onto the desk. Slowly I leaned back into my chair. I inhaled deeply and shut my eyes and attempted to calm the emotions raging inside of me.

Everything around me exploded, sending splinters flying in all direction, making Mittelt, Asia and Ewald jump away to keep a safe distance from me.

It didn't work... Obviously....

_______________________________________________

It was Ewald who acted first before Issei exploded.

As soon the boy let out a bitter chuckle, the Cardinal immediately recognized what kind of laugh it was. It was not simply a laugh of sadness, it was a laugh of sadness followed by hopelessness.

The laugh was filled void of hope to the point that he was not going to care what he was going to do anymore, a laugh that said 'Ah, it was hopeless to begin with so I can do anything right? It's not like it will change a thing, but at least I will get satisfaction from my act'

That was clearly not a good thing, not at all.

And when Issei shook his head, Ewald could sense his mana already beginning to pour out, so he yelled instantly while jumping back, causing Mittelt and Asia to follow his suit, just in time to avoid a burst of energy that exploded from Issei's body, destroying the table, chairs and everything around him save the area where he was still sitting.

His fair skin turned to pure tan instantly, countless strange lines appear on his body and glowed green, his brown-white hair became pure white while his steel gray eyes were now emerald colored and glowing. The air around him felt so heavy it was as if the gravity around him changed to a higher level.

Despite his experience, Ewald couldn't help but feel sweat drip from his forehead. The power that this boy radiated was big, it was maybe even on par with some of the entities he had faced in his youth.

Just what kind of being was this boy? This boy was not youkai or mythical creature, at least he could tell that. This boy was a human, there was nothing else about him that was strange. But to think there was a Human at his age with this absurd level of power... The raw power he radiated was enough to be compared to Dulio and...

'That's it! This boy is a Longinus user!' Ewald realized, there was no other explanation. It was clear that the boy in front of him was a Longinus user. 'But which one?'

The answer came when Ewald stared at Issei's eyes that were glowing with an emerald color. For a moment the world around him was gone, turned into nothing but a black abyss that was surrounded by majestic flames that were blazing and eating at everything.

Then he saw it, a giant red claw sprouted from the hot magma ground that crushed everything beneath it like a child planting their feet into sand, leaving a giant mark on it.

Dragon

It was followed by a long serpentine red neck that rose from the ground as if a giant just awoke from its slumber. Its head was triangular shaped and possessed one horn on it snout, adorned with curved spines and ivory fangs.

Red Dragon Emperor

Its giant red body rose up, followed by scaly red wings that were large enough to blast away buildings with a single flap of them. The Dragon rose to it full height, its long neck tilted up in proud manner as it stared down at him with its emerald green eyes that were glowing in a menacing and threatening manner.

Boosted Gear, this boy possesses that Longinus...!

Then it opened its jaw. It was supposed to be saliva, but instead it was flames. A very hot flame and red liquid dropped from its mouth, burning the ground under it instantly.

Then its face turned into a jeer. Sneering as it glares down at him, the red dragon cocked back its head, then leaned forward and unleashed a massive and destructive roar that split and crush everything in its path.

It took everything Ewald had to not lashing out at the boy who was only sitting in his chair. His hand was already on his sword, ready to cut him down the moment he saw that image.

It was like an animal that was cornered by its predator. The overwhelming fear and the feeling that it was close to death was enough to make the prey act out of desperation, lashing out at its predator with everything it had.

Ewald felt just like that. That was why his hand and body moved. It was his primal instinct and nature that made him move like that, acknowledging the boy in front of him as his predator. But he was able to stop it, barely, but he did. He didn't know what was going to happen had he followed his instinct, but for some reason he knew it would have been bad.

"Hyoudou-san!" He yelled to the boy who was staring blankly ahead, his gaze unseen due to his glowing emerald eyes. "I know you're angry! But you have to stop! Mittelt-san and Asia-san are being crushed by your power!"

He was not lying about that, right now Mittelt and Asia were whimpering in the corner of the room. The dining room had also turned into the same state as the living room, completely destroyed by Issei's power that crushed everything.

That yell was enough to snap the Sekiryuutei out of his anger as his power instantly receded, like a raging animal that had its neck chained and leashed, the aura pulled back immediately.

The boy's skin turned back to normal, the glowing green lines that ran down to his body disappeared and his white hair turned back to its mixture between brown and white.

The boy blinked, his eyes still glowing. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes and then reopened them. Gone were his green eyes, having turned back to their usual steel gray. "Sorry for snapping like that." His tone was sincere and genuine. He turned to Asia and Mittelt. "Sorry Asia, Mittelt... It's fine now. I'm not mad anymore."

The girls who were in a corner due to fear stared at Issei... The young man gave them a reassuring smile that said everything would be okay.

Then they stood up without hesitation. It was because they had seen that smile before. Mittelt had seen that smile when Issei had accepted her as his companion, saving her from her loneliness and her own hatred. Asia had seen that smile when she had been held hostage by Raynare, after saving her from the death that had threatened to take her.

That smile was the smile of a hero.

"I-Issei-san..." Asia stammered with a small, relieved smile.

"Geez, Issei... You scared us too much... Really." Mittelt sighed while shaking her head in exasperation.

"Hahaha! Sorry, sorry." Issei chuckled sheepishly before he took a look at his surroundings and blanching. "I just increased the damage, didn't I?" He asked with a visible grimace on his face and Mittelt nodded, looking amused.

"This time I'm not paying." She replied, making Issei's shoulders slump.

'And I was wishing to buy that new magical girl outfit for Shizune...' Issei cried anime tears mentally as the image of Shizune in her magical girl costume disappeared

[Ehem! Remember there's something more important!] Ddraig reminded me.

'Right.' Issei replied with a nod and he cleared his throat. "Anyway, all these files aside... You wish to use these files as a proof for Asia's innocence?" He asked Ewald, who had been silent ever since that outburst.

The Cardinal's hand moved away from his sword and his muscles relaxed afterseeing there was no more danger. "Yes, this proof might not strong enough to blame that devil if we brought it to an argument with the devils' side, however, seeing the Church is also quite paranoid about devils, we can use it..."

Ah, he planned to manipulate the Church's hatred for devils. This Vasco Strada person was very smart, Issei could accept that as he nodded.

"Well that is a good strategy, it will work." Issei said with a nod of acceptance before he turned to Asia. "So Asia... What is your decision?"

"Eh?" Asia was clearly surprise and taken aback by the question, as it was clearly visible on her face. "Issei-san?"

"I'm not going to forbid you if you want to go back to the Church." Issei continued while shrugging. "This is your decision, I have no right to interfere..."

"You are going to let her go just like that?" Ewald asked visibly surprised.

"Who do you take me for, Cristaldi-san?" Issei asked back with furrowed eyebrows. "I'm Asia's friend, wishing the best for her is my job. If she wants to go back then I'll let her go. True, I will be saddened by her departure, but if she wants it then what right do I have to stop her? Unlike some people who think of her as a tool, I'm her real FRIEND." Issei said while making a snide comment at the same time.

'This man...' Ewald's eyes narrowed. There was no doubt that Hyoudou held the Church in contempt and it seemed that wouldn't change for quite some time.

Asia meanwhile was clearly panicking. She wanted to go back to the Church and treat the people there again, but at same time she also wanted to stay with Issei-san, and there was Mittelt-chan too...

Her panic and confusion were very visible as Ewald turned to her. "You do not need to decide now, Asia-san." He said. "It must be very sudden for you, originally I planned to take you back instantly if you were in danger or in a bad situation but..." He paused and stared at Issei and Mittelt, and then gave a small smile. "But it seems you have people that care for you already, you are in good hands, Asia-san, so I think I can give you some time..." He raised his hand and held up two fingers. "Two days... I will be staying here for two days. That's as much time as I can give you. I can't give you more, seeing it would endanger my position. This is a stealth mission after all, and if devils were to find out about my presence here..."

There was no need to explain further. For Ewald Cristaldi, Cardinal Deacon of the Church and also a veteran warrior who was an expert to come to the place of the Maou sisters, this would be considered as a serious move, everyone in the room understood how critical it was.

"That is acceptable as well." Issei grunted in agreement. "Asia will give her answer when she is ready in these two days." He stared at Asia for confirmation and the nun slowly nodded, indicating she accepted the condition.

"Well, then it's settled!" Ewald nodded to them before pulling out some paper and giving it to Issei. "Please contact that number if you are done, I will visit your place in an instant."

Issei took the paper and stared at the numbers. "So, are we done?"

"We are done." Ewald confirmed. "However, may I ask a question?"

"You already did." Issei pointed out while smirking, causing Ewald's eyebrow to twitch. "Just kidding, ask away Father..." He stated.

"Thank you, boy." Ewald said with a fake sincere tone before his face turned serious.

"Judging by your tone and expression... It's clear you met this devil, am I correct?"

If Issei was surprised he didn't show it as his face remained stoic. He should have expected it seeing who he was dealing with. This was Ewald Cristaldi they were talking about, a veteran warrior and a man that had his own legend and mark in the books of the fallen angel and devils.

"Yes... In fact, one week ago that devil came here and proposed to Asia." Issei confirmed, making Ewald's expression become grim.

"I see... I expected he would do something like that, no doubt he originally planned to 'save' Asia-san from the fallen angels' grasp." Ewald said in a knowing tone. "What is that devil's name?"

"Diodora Astaroth." Issei answered, not making any attempt to hide it. He knew Ewald was also quite angry inwardly.

Ewald eyes widened at that. Astaroth. Oh he knew that name quite well, it was the family of the current Beelzebub. This changed everything. This Devil was quite hard to get because of his position. He couldn't just kill him without a good reason or proof.

"That complicates things, seeing how he is the brother of a Maou, doesn't it?" Issei asked with a small smirk and Ewald smirked back.

"Nope, it doesn't..." Ewald replied with the same tone before sighing.

"What are you going to do with him?" Issei asked.

"As much I want to kill this devil, I can't. Not only is he a sibling of the current Beelzebub, but the proof and the files we have won't be enough to accuse him. If we killed him the fault would fall on us." Ewald said while gesturing to the files and folder he had, thankfully only blown away by my earlier outburst.

Issei stare at the files. Ewald was right. All of this proof was clearly not enough to accuse Diodora and make sure he'd get punished. They needed more, something bigger so they could catch him.

Slowly a smirk appeared on Issei's face and it didn't go unnoticed by Ewald. "I take it you have an idea?"

"Oh I do... But I need your cooperation. Are you willing to work with us?" Issei asked and Ewald blinked before letting out a hum while rubbing his chin.

His mission was only to get Asia back, doing this was very dangerous and risky, and it was also not on his to-do list. While Ajuka Beelzebub didn't hold any overly great affection for his sibling like Serafall Leviathan and Sirzechs Lucifer did, he was of course going defend Diodora.

This was dangerous... He was playing not with a normal fire here, but a big one made of hellfire and given his situation about this secret mission he was also walking on thin ice already.

But on other hand, if he succeeded, it would worsen the reputation of the devils and also the Church would be able to rub it in their faces... And it would also stop another devil trying to steal or corrupt someone from the Church.

"Tell me your plan first..."