"Don't worry, I just don't want to continue the exhausting job of Governor. My interest is in researching and manufacturing Sacred Gears. All I need is to be allowed to stay here and be provided with research funds periodically."
Azazel smiled faintly, presenting a look of detachment.
As long as he could establish contact, he had plenty of ways to control these young people. By the time they realized something was wrong, it would be too late.
Excluding Ethan, no one present saw through his hidden intentions. Even Rias secretly weighed the feasibility of the arrangement.
The conditions Azazel offered were overly advantageous to them. The issue of Yuma Amano's trio and the guidance of a powerful figure were problems the Occult Research Club urgently needed to solve.
But her consistent caution prevented her from agreeing immediately.
"I will consider it and give you an answer before the start of the new semester."
Hearing Rias's response, Ethan subtly breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, his mind, which had been relaxed for a long time, tightened up again.
As his power grew and his relationship with Rias and the others deepened, the greatest danger was no longer the Cuckold Template, but other powerful individuals with various schemes.
As for whether the Cuckold Template was fueling these events, Ethan didn't know, nor did he need to.
Regardless of the template's influence, he and the people targeting Rias and her group were mortal enemies, with no room for compromise.
"Then we will take our leave. I hope you can keep your subordinates in check during this time."
Having said this, Rias signaled Akeno Himejima to prepare the transfer circle.
This time, Azazel did not try to stop them. He raised the wine cup in his hand and smiled. "Have a safe trip. Don't worry, no Fallen Angels will appear in town until I receive your reply."
If the reply was not to his liking, what happened next was none of his concern.
Faced with Azazel's silent threat, Rias paused, then coldly stepped into the transfer circle without another word.
When one's power was inferior, anything said was empty rhetoric. Saying too much would only make one look like a clown.
The members of the Occult Research Club entered the transfer circle one by one. When it was Yuma Amano's trio's turn, Azazel's eyes narrowed, but he ultimately did nothing.
Ethan was the last to enter the transfer circle. Azazel no longer hid his inner thoughts.
"Boy, you seem very hostile towards me."
He narrowed his eyes and suddenly unleashed a powerful aura. The resulting energy shockwave made Ethan stagger two steps backward.
"I hope you recognize your place. You are just a servant. I spared you once out of respect for your master, but there won't be a next time."
Ethan clenched his jaw, silently mobilizing the energy within his body to resist the pressure. The intense energy conflict caused blood to seep from the corner of his mouth.
He looked at the Fallen Angel Governor before him, hesitating whether to use the Sacred Gear.
If he used Balance Breaker at the cost of his life, catching the opponent by surprise, he might be able to take this man out in one blow.
Just then, Azazel gave a soft 'hmph,' and the focused aura targeting Ethan instantly vanished.
"That was a small lesson for you. Remember to maintain the proper humility when facing a powerful person."
Ethan didn't reply. After taking a deep look at him, he turned and stepped into the transfer circle.
The Occult Research Club.
Rias and the others, having waited for a long time without Ethan's appearance, were about to go back and check when Ethan materialized in the club room, his face pale.
Rias rushed forward to steady Ethan's arm, her expression serious. "Akira, did Azazel attack you?"
As she spoke, she helped Ethan to the sofa, letting him lie down to rest.
Everyone else gathered around, their expressions grim.
Lying on the sofa, resting his head on Akeno Himejima's soft lap, which she had considerately offered, Ethan gave a bitter smile. "I wouldn't call it an attack. I was just hit by his aura."
The further one progressed, the greater the difference in power between each stage.
An S-class attack could destroy a small mountain. At the Demon Lord level (EX-class), merely arguing could lead to the destruction of a country if one wasn't careful.
Beyond the God-level, creating and destroying pocket dimensions could be done effortlessly.
Ethan didn't know if Azazel was SSS-class or already EX-class, but without using the Sacred Gear, he stood no chance with his current power alone.
"Is the power gap really that big?"
Yuma Amano asked with doubt. "Akira is the strongest among us. He couldn't even withstand Governor Azazel's... his aura?"
This was not only her question but also that of the other club members.
Aside from Rias, no one present truly understood the terror of an existence at the Demon Lord level, let alone witnessed a fight between powerhouses of that caliber.
"The power gap is exactly that big." Rias sighed softly. "That's why I was so eager to return once I realized the person who came was the Fallen Angel Governor."
Staying there, she had absolutely no sense of security. If the opponent wished to harm them, only if Ethan overexerted his life force to use the Boosted Gear would there be a slim possibility of victory.
If a battle truly erupted, with their current strength, they would only hold Ethan back.
Ethan fighting Azazel alone, using the Sacred Gear without restraint, might have a 50% chance of winning. But with them present, considering their safety, a 10% chance would be generous.
Everyone's expression grew serious. This enemy was too formidable, completely exceeding their capacity.
Yuma Amano's trio, especially, looked worried. They felt that this incident was their inescapable responsibility.
Ethan immediately saw what they were thinking and said calmly, "Yuma, Lutt, Vana, don't overthink it. Azazel didn't care about you at all. He only brought up that condition because he saw you had become Rias's servants."
This was the truth. Azazel didn't care whether Yuma Amano's trio lived or died; he only brought them up because he saw their potential for exploitation.
Yuma Amano's trio also knew this, as the reaction from the Fallen Angel faction back then had made it clear. However, they didn't know Rias well enough yet and were worried about being abandoned because of this incident.
Rias's personal charisma was undeniable. After nearly half a year of interaction, while Yuma Amano's trio weren't as fiercely loyal as Akeno Himejima's group, they already considered themselves part of the Occult Research Club.
"President, I have a very bad feeling about that man. He definitely has other schemes."
Seeing Yuma Amano's trio's expressions soften, Ethan turned to Rias and said, "If we let Azazel settle down in Kuoh Town, it's like setting a time bomb next to us."
Due to her biological father, Akeno Himejima also deeply distrusted the higher-ups of the Fallen Angels.
She agreed. "President, just because Azazel isn't planning anything now doesn't mean he won't later. By that time, we might not even have time to react."
Rias nodded slightly, then looked at the others.
"What are your thoughts? If everyone disagrees, I will report this matter."
Yuma Amano's trio naturally didn't want any further interaction with Azazel and decisively sided with Ethan.
Koneko Toujou licked a lollipop she'd pulled out from nowhere, her face expressionless. "I'll follow the President's lead."
"Yuuto, what about you?"
Facing Rias's question, Yuuto Kiba spread his hands and gave a helpless smile. "President, you know me. I don't have a good feeling about those church people."
Fallen Angels and the Church were not the same faction, but the connection between them was very close.
The Church revered God, and Fallen Angels were abandoned by God. Before their abandonment, the Fallen Angels were the Church's superiors.
Nowadays, some deviants within the Church, such as bloodthirsty priests, nuns who can heal devils, greedy and lecherous knights, etc., were often handed over to the Fallen Angels in exchange for benefits.
Rias really wanted a powerful person to mentor her and her servants, but she personally didn't like the middle-aged man, especially after he attacked and injured Ethan.
With almost all of her servants now opposed, the outcome was self-evident.
Just as she was about to contact Grayfia Lucifuge, Ethan suddenly said, "President, wait a moment. Let's gather some intelligence first. That way, if the Demon Lord asks, we won't have nothing to say."
Rias paused her action. Indeed, contacting Grayfia directly now, she wouldn't even know how many people the opponent had or their purpose for being there if Grayfia asked.
Since they were all family, she wouldn't be held accountable, but it would inevitably be embarrassing, and she didn't want to continue being treated like a spoiled little sister.
"We still have a good amount of time before the start of the semester, so there's no need to rush to notify headquarters."
Rias slowly walked back behind her desk. "Then, regarding the intelligence gathering..."