Chapter 181: Abducting the Little Nun
Although Haruto didn't think Freed's strength could break through his defenses, he considered the fact that his opponent wielded a Sacred Gear. Even if it wasn't the genuine article, it was still a Sacred Gear. Out of caution, Haruto cast magical barriers and reinforcement spells over his vital areas.
As for his calves, thighs, arms, and back—areas with more flesh—he deliberately relaxed his muscles to ensure the visual effect was convincing enough.
"Mr. Haruto!"
A few drops of blood splattered onto Asia's small face. Feeling the warmth on her skin, she finally realized what had happened.
With a startled cry, she supported Haruto and said in a panic, "Mr. Haruto, are you okay? I... I'll heal you."
As she spoke, a pair of rings adorned with green gems materialized on her slender, pale fingers, symmetrically placed on both index fingers.
A green glow, brimming with life energy, enveloped the girl's hands as she gently pressed them against Haruto's wounds.
Seeing Asia healing Haruto, Freed raised his gun again. "Hey, hey, hey, you bitch! Are you betraying us? How dare you heal a devil!"
The little blonde nun flinched, her shoulders trembling. Though terrified, she refused to stop healing Haruto.
Having regained some rationality, Freed didn't dare actually shoot Asia. Seeing that his threats were useless, he spat in frustration and holstered his pistol.
He stepped forward, intending to forcibly take Asia away.
As Freed drew closer step by step, Asia's petite body trembled even more violently.
Just as a large hand mercilessly reached for her beautiful golden hair, she was so terrified that she closed her eyes, silently awaiting the impending agony.
Even so, the kind and innocent little nun did not give up on healing Haruto, still striving to activate her Sacred Gear as shimmering green light continuously glowed.
As Freed sneered and prepared to be rough with the golden-haired little nun, Haruto opened his eyes and stood up once more.
Freed's hand froze mid-air. Seeing Haruto's silent demeanor, his instincts screamed at him to flee—or he would die.
With his objective achieved, Haruto no longer needed to maintain his facade. As for how to explain things to Asia afterward…
He believed the kind and innocent little nun would forgive him.
Of course, it would be best if Freed had the sense to leave now.
That way, Freed wouldn't be humanely eradicated by Haruto, and Haruto could continue maintaining his previous persona in front of Asia.
A white-haired perverted priest was nowhere near as important as a golden-haired loli nun. Gaining even a little more of Asia's trust and goodwill was always beneficial.
Asia looked at Haruto standing protectively in front of her with surprise. "Mr. Haruto, are your injuries alright?"
"Ah, thanks to your healing, there isn't even a scar left."
Haruto turned around and smiled, deliberately moving his limbs to show his condition.
If Asia hadn't been so nervous and Freed hadn't been intimidating her, she would have realized sooner that those terrifying-looking wounds were actually just superficial injuries, all healed under her care.
The golden-haired little nun pressed a hand to her chest and smiled with relief. "That's wonderful… I'm glad there were no fatal injuries…"
As long as there was still a breath left, with her Sacred Gear, Smile of the Holy Mother, she could heal anyone.
The effectiveness of the Sacred Gear was tied to her strength, but so far, Asia had never encountered anyone she couldn't heal.
"Asia, wait a moment. Let me deal with this guy first."
Haruto gestured for the little nun to step back, then coldly glared at Freed. "Go back and tell Azazel—this girl is claimed by the Gremory family."
"You're a servant of the Gremory family?"
Freed was stunned, finally understanding why Haruto's presence felt completely different now.
News of the Occult Research Club breaking into the church basement and battling a group of fallen angels had already spread widely, with the strength of Rias and her companions being a key topic.
Among the rumors, it was mentioned that none of them were below A-rank in power.
Although Haruto hadn't fought at the time, he hadn't concealed his aura either. Combined with his attitude, anyone with half a brain could tell his strength surpassed even that of Yuuto Kiba and the others who had fought.
Haruto couldn't be bothered to waste words on Freed. Glancing at the surrounding onlookers, he said, "Before you leave, make sure to erase these people's memories and delete any videos or photos from their phones."
Realizing he had been tricked, Freed felt rage boiling in his chest, desperately wanting to attack Haruto regardless of the consequences.
But when he met Haruto's emotionless eyes, his fear of death ultimately overpowered his anger.
Clenching his fists, he spoke in a subdued tone, "I don't know mental magic… I only handle eliminating enemies."
"Useless."
Haruto gave the perverted priest, who was only good for fighting, a disdainful look. Truly, aside from combat, he was utterly worthless.
After speaking, he closed and opened his eyes, releasing a powerful ring of psychic energy that spread outward from him.
When it touched the little nun, the wave-like mental magic paused for a moment before flowing around her.
Within seconds, the surrounding crowd collapsed one after another, while Freed groaned, clutching his head with a pale face.
Haruto had no intention of going easy on him. If Freed couldn't withstand it, he could wait for the fallen angels to come find him.
"Not bad. Since you're still conscious, you're responsible for deleting the data from everyone's phones."
Haruto glanced sideways at the unsteady Freed before turning to walk toward Asia.
"If I see anything about this incident online later, you know what the consequences will be."
Truthfully, it wouldn't matter even if it got uploaded since specialized personnel would handle it, but Haruto deliberately wanted to intimidate Freed.
Freed seethed with silent anger. That simple mental magic had made him acutely aware of the vast gap in their strength.
He had no doubt that if he dared make a move now, his head would be relocated in the next second.
"Asia, would you like to come to my home?"
Supporting the golden-haired little nun by her slender shoulders, Haruto said: "I know you have many questions. I'll explain everything to you gradually later."
The combination of rescuing the beauty and the calculated suffering had produced results far beyond Haruto's expectations.
He had originally worried that Asia might hesitate to follow a man she'd just met, but the golden-haired little nun nodded decisively almost without hesitation.
"Mr. Haruto, I'm willing to stay at your home, but I don't know how to do anything except pray... Would I be causing you trouble...?"
"Don't worry, you don't need to do anything."
Haruto nearly said that her very existence was the most important thing, but concerned about frightening the kind and adorable loli nun, he ultimately held back the words.
...
...
About ten minutes later, Haruto descended slowly from the sky while carrying Asia.
Retracting his broad, pitch-black bat wings, he led the curious golden-haired little nun into the club building.
Along the way, he briefly explained to Asia about Kuoh Town and the Gremory family, while simultaneously sending messages to Touko and Kasumi on his phone, telling them they no longer needed to keep watch near the church and should preferably move farther away.
The risk of surveillance wasn't high, but it still existed. If they encountered someone like Freed, a bloody incident might occur.
Now that Asia had been successfully found, there was no need to let the girls shoulder unnecessary risks any longer.
Because of her Sacred Gear, Twilight Healing, Asia had known about supernatural powers since she was a child. However, in the small rural church abroad where she lived, no one would proactively explain more to an orphan like her.
Perhaps there wasn't anyone in the church that adopted Asia whose power exceeded C-class. Even if they explained, there likely wouldn't have been anything valuable.
It wasn't until Haruto personally demonstrated and explained it to her that Asia learned about the existence of magical power and that her healing ability was granted by the Sacred Gear dwelling within her body.
"Asia, don't be afraid. The President and everyone else are all devils, but they are actually good people."
Arriving at the door of the clubroom, Haruto patted Asia's head, soothing the nervous little nun.
Asia gently shook her head, lifting her delicate, pale face. "No, I'm not afraid. I'm just worried that everyone won't like me."
"Because... you see, I'm a nun, and everyone is a devil..."
Haruto didn't speak, just gave her a reassuring smile.