A Stray Priest like Freed, who indiscriminately killed humans who had contracts with Devils, was an existence akin to a rogue element or a stray Devil. Killing him would not only be consequence-free for Ethan but would also count as a meritorious deed.
Ethan's purpose in luring Freed to attack first was not to trap him, but to leave a good impression on the blonde little nun, facilitating his subsequent plans.
To increase Asia's goodwill, he needed Freed to attack first, then pretend to be overwhelmed, ideally sustaining some minor injury so the little nun would use her Sacred Gear's ability to heal him.
The weak naturally evoke sympathy, especially from an excessively kind girl like Asia.
Secondly, he wanted to personally experience the effect of Twilight Healing, the healing Sacred Gear.
Freed did not disappoint Ethan. Being inherently bloodthirsty, he considered nothing else. The moment he detected a Devil aura on Ethan, he decisively launched his attack.
Clang!
The light sword slashed against the Thunder Spear materialized by Ethan, producing a metallic clanging sound. Seeing Ethan appear on guard as if facing a great enemy, Freed's smile grew even more maniacal.
"Yes, that's it! This is what makes it fun! Hahahaha!!!"
The last trace of a priestly image vanished from Freed's face, leaving only murderous intent and madness. The blonde little nun huddled up in terror behind Ethan.
Ethan deliberately restricted his power to the level of a Low-Class Devil, suppressing the urge to instantly blast the perverted priest away with a single punch. He spoke to Freed with a serious expression, "Are you an Exorcist from the Church?"
"More talk is useless."
Freed didn't have time to waste on conversation with Ethan. He clearly remembered Azazel's instruction for them to lie low recently. If the delay attracted attention, he wouldn't be able to enjoy the pleasure of hunting Devils.
He madly attacked Ethan with the sword in one hand while occasionally firing shots with the gun in the other. Although Ethan was completely pinned down, every attack was either dodged or blocked by a Thunder Spear.
Ethan looked distressed, yet not a drop of blood was shed. Freed sensed a subtle hint that something was wrong, but it was quickly replaced by frustration.
"Coward! Will you only hide?"
The white-haired priest's expression turned vicious. He pointed his gun at the little nun nearby. "If you keep hiding, I'll start with this nun who is cohabiting with a Devil!!!"
Ethan lowered his head, his eyes flickering. The moment the gun was pointed at Asia, he nearly gave in to the urge to instantly teleport and crush the priest.
He turned his head to look at the blonde little nun behind him. Her delicate, beautiful face was filled with panic. She anxiously clutched her loose nun's habit.
"F-Father... I haven't been cohabiting with a Devil. I'm still a virgin..."
"Shut up! I say you have, so you have!"
Freed glared at her fiercely. "Don't think I don't know why the Church expelled you! If Governor Azazel hadn't specifically requested to study your Sacred Gear, I would have sent you to meet the great Lord long ago."
Asia's petite body trembled, her small hands wringing her nun's habit into a mass of wrinkles.
She lowered her head and remained silent, standing quietly on the side, radiating a forlorn aura of someone abandoned by the entire world, making her deeply pitiable.
Sensing the timing was right, Ethan spread his pitch-black bat wings, but without revealing the sharp, shimmering tail. This solidified his identity as a Devil while simultaneously inciting a furious attack from Freed.
Ethan maintained the posture of barely resisting but never getting injured, while intentionally staying close to Asia.
When Freed pointed his gun at Asia, a better plan suddenly surfaced in Ethan's mind.
Compared to intentionally getting injured to gain the blonde little nun's sympathy, heroically saving the beauty would earn more goodwill.
It was a cliché, but for the pure, naive Asia, who was new to the world, the effect would be outstanding.
Especially if Ethan were injured while saving her, the goodwill would likely increase exponentially.
Although the area was sparsely populated, it wasn't completely deserted. The commotion from the fight had already drawn attention.
Curiosity was human nature, especially for such a fantastical battle scene. Many people thought it was a movie being filmed. They watched while filming on their phones.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Ethan blocked the continuous rapid attacks with his Thunder Spear, and the fired bullets were 'clumsily' dodged. Freed looked at the crowd slowly gathering, his mind filled with frustration and rage.
He enjoyed fighting and killing, but he was more afraid of dying.
Noticing that the situation was gradually spiraling out of control, and remembering Azazel's methods, Freed ceased his attack.
"Devil, you got lucky."
He looked at the bystanders. "If it weren't for this trash crowd, you'd be dead today."
Upon hearing this, Ethan was disappointed rather than pleased.
That's it? He was waiting for Freed to take Asia hostage, so he could rush forward and shield her from bullets, regardless of his own safety.
Despite his thoughts, his face showed a look of relief.
He missed the heroic rescue, but he couldn't drop the ball at the last minute. At the very least, he could increase the little nun's goodwill a bit.
This could be easily judged from Asia's worried glances, which she kept sneaking at him.
"Bitch, get over here now."
Freed put away his Sacred Gear and, ignoring the surprised looks of the ordinary people, cursed at the frail, pitiable blonde little nun. "You've wasted enough time! How much longer do you want Governor Azazel to wait!"
Asia's slender body trembled. She knelt down miserably, frantically gathering the scattered clothes on the ground and stuffing them into the suitcase.
"Miss Nun, let me help you."
Ethan also dismissed his Thunder Spear, ignoring the furious Freed. He casually moved to the little nun's side and helped her pack.
"T-Thank you... Mr. Devil."
This was Asia's first time being so close to a male, and a handsome young man near her age at that. A faint blush crept onto the young girl's delicate face, a sign of budding affection.
"Akira Uesugi," Ethan smiled, extending his right hand. "My name. Miss Nun can just call me Akira."
The blonde little nun was stunned for a moment, then quickly extended her small hand, shaking his.
Feeling the warmth radiating from his palm, a sensation she had never experienced before, the blonde little nun temporarily forgot to introduce herself.
It wasn't until Ethan released her soft little hand that the girl became aware and said nervously, "Mr. Akira, I am Asia Argento. You can just call me Asia."
Ethan calmly helped Asia gather her belongings, keeping an eye on Freed's movements while starting a conversation with the little nun.
"Asia, are you from abroad?"
"Yes, I just arrived in Japan today."
"Asia is a nun. That really suits your kind personality."
"Not really. It's just because I don't know how to do anything else..."
Asia lowered her head, embarrassed, momentarily forgetting about the menacing Freed waiting behind them.
The white-haired priest watched the nun and the Devil interact so intimately. His already furious emotions surged like a tide, relentlessly crashing against the dam of his sanity.
When Ethan helped Asia stand up from the ground, and he saw the look of adoration and attachment on the little nun's face, Freed's last thread of sanity snapped completely.
With a flash of light, a silver handgun appeared in his hand, and he immediately began firing forward.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!—
The continuous firing targeted not only Ethan but also Asia, who was standing right next to him.
Ethan had been watching Freed's movements. The instant the handgun appeared, he was ready to activate a defensive spell.
However, when he realized the target was not only himself but also the little nun, he changed his defensive strategy.
"Asia, watch out!"
Ethan pulled the completely unresponsive blonde little nun behind him, turning around to completely shield her with his slender body.
"Hahahaha!!!"
The white-haired priest laughed wildly. Ethan's action erased his last worry. Blinded by rage, as long as Asia was unharmed, Governor Azazel wouldn't punish him.
Looking at Ethan, who was completely facing away from him, Freed showed a cruel smile. His bullets weren't ordinary; they were Holy Silver Bullets with special efficacy against Devils.
A large number of bullets struck Ethan, causing blood to spray. Seeing the red liquid fly, the white-haired priest's smile grew even more deranged.
He failed to notice the sharp, clear sound when the bullets hit vital areas, accompanied by the metallic clink of the bullets falling to the ground.
Ethan also hadn't expected Freed to be so cooperative, launching an attack in the final moment with no regard for Asia's safety.