Although Ethan didn't think Freed's power could pierce his defenses, considering the weapon in his hand was a Sacred Gear, even if it wasn't the genuine article, it was still a Sacred Gear. Ethan decided to show some respect by casting a magic barrier and enhancement spells on his vital areas.
As for his calves, thighs, arms, and back—the fleshy areas—he deliberately relaxed his muscles to ensure the visual effect was dramatic enough.
"Mr. Akira!"
A few drops of blood splattered onto Asia's face. Feeling the warmth on her skin, she finally realized what had happened.
After letting out a startled cry, she supported Ethan and said frantically, "Mr. Akira, are you alright? I... I will heal you."
As she spoke, a pair of rings inlaid with green jewels appeared on her clean, slender fingers, worn symmetrically on both index fingers.
A green sphere of light, filled with life force, enveloped the girl's hands and gently pressed against Ethan's wounded areas.
Seeing Asia treating Ethan, Freed raised his gun again. "Hey, hey, hey, are you trying to betray us, you bitch? Healing a Devil like that."
The blonde little nun's shoulders twitched in fear. She was terrified, yet she didn't give up on treating Ethan.
With his sanity returning, Freed didn't dare shoot Asia for real. Seeing that threats and intimidation were useless, he could only spit on the ground and put his gun away, despite his annoyance.
He stepped forward, intending to forcibly take Asia away.
As Freed approached, Asia's petite body trembled more violently.
When a large, merciless hand reached out for her beautiful golden hair, she closed her eyes in terror, silently bracing herself for the impending pain.
Even so, the kind, pure little nun didn't stop treating Ethan. She continued to utilize the Sacred Gear, the soft green light constantly shimmering.
Just as Freed was about to act rudely toward the blonde little nun with a sneer, Ethan opened his eyes and stood up again.
Freed's hand froze in mid-air. Looking at the silent Ethan, his instinct screamed at him to leave immediately, or he would die.
With his goal achieved, there was no need for Ethan to continue pretending. As for how to explain things to Asia afterward...
He trusted the kind and pure little nun would forgive him.
Of course, if Freed had the sense to leave right now, that would be for the best.
He wouldn't need to be ethically terminated by Ethan, and Ethan could maintain his previous persona in front of Asia.
A blonde loli nun was far more important than a white-haired perverted priest. Any increase in Asia's trust and goodwill was a bonus.
Asia looked at Ethan, who was shielding her, with surprise. "Mr. Akira, are your injuries okay?"
"Ah, thanks to your healing, Asia, there's not even a scar left."
Ethan turned back and smiled, deliberately moving his limbs to show his condition.
If Asia hadn't been so nervous, and if Freed hadn't been there to threaten her, she would have noticed earlier that those terrifying-looking wounds were merely superficial, and had completely healed under her treatment.
The blonde little nun pressed one hand to her chest and smiled with relief. "That's wonderful! It's a good thing there were no fatal injuries..."
As long as there was still a breath left, she could save the person with the Sacred Gear Twilight Healing.
The effectiveness of the Sacred Gear was tied to her strength, but so far, Asia hadn't met anyone she couldn't heal.
"Asia, wait for me. I'll deal with this guy first."
Ethan gestured for the little nun to step back, then looked coldly at Freed. "Go back and tell Azazel that the Gremory family has claimed this girl."
"You're a servant of the Gremory family?"
Freed was stunned. He finally understood why Ethan felt completely different before and after.
The news of the Occult Research Club's intrusion into the church basement and the fight with the Fallen Angels had spread widely. Naturally, the strength of Rias's group was a key point of discussion.
It was mentioned that none of the members were below A-class.
Although Ethan hadn't personally intervened in the fight, he hadn't deliberately hidden his aura, and given his attitude, any person who wasn't an idiot could tell his power was greater than that of Yuuto Kiba and the others who had fought.
Ethan couldn't be bothered to talk nonsense with Freed. He glanced at the surrounding onlookers. "Before you go, remember to erase the memories and delete the photos and videos on these people's phones."
Freed was furious, realizing he had been tricked. He desperately wanted to attack Ethan.
But seeing Ethan's emotionless eyes, the fear of death ultimately overcame his rage.
He clenched his fists and whispered submissively, "I don't know mind magic... I'm only responsible for eliminating enemies."
"Useless."
Ethan gave the perverted priest, who was only good for fighting, a speechless look. Truly, besides fighting, he's completely worthless.
After speaking, he closed and then opened his eyes. A powerful surge of mental energy spread out in a ring shape, centered on him.
As it reached the little nun, the wave of psychic energy paused, then flowed around her.
A few seconds later, the onlookers around them collapsed to the ground one after another. Freed also grunted and clutched his head, his face pale.
Ethan didn't go easy on him. If he couldn't withstand it, he'd be left for the Fallen Angels to come find.
"Hmm, not bad. Since you didn't pass out, you're responsible for deleting the data on these people's phones."
Ethan shot a sidelong glance at the swaying Freed and turned to walk toward Asia.
"If I see anything about this incident on the internet later, you should know the consequences."
In reality, even if it were uploaded, there were people assigned to handle it. Ethan was just intentionally intimidating Freed.
Freed was enraged but dared not speak. That simple mind magic made him clearly understand the immense power gap between them.
He had no doubt that if he dared to attack now, his head would be rolling on the ground in the next second.
"Asia, would you like to come to my home?"
Ethan put his hands on the little nun's thin shoulders. "I know you have many questions. I will slowly explain everything to you later."
The combination of the heroic rescue and the deliberate feigned injury worked far better than Ethan had expected.
He had worried that Asia would be reluctant to follow a man she had just met, but the blonde little nun nodded decisively with almost no hesitation.
"Mr. Akira, I would like to live in your home, but I don't know how to do anything. All I can do is pray... will I be a bother to you..."
"Don't worry, you don't need to do anything."
Ethan originally wanted to say, Your existence is the greatest use, but he held back, afraid of scaring the cute and kind loli nun.
...
...
A dozen minutes later, Ethan slowly descended from the sky, holding Asia.
Retracting his wide, black bat wings, he led the immensely curious blonde little nun into the club building.
On the way, he briefly explained the situation of Kuoh Town and the Gremory family to Asia. He also used his phone to send a message to Fuyuko Sakuramachi and Kasumi Takamine, telling them to stop monitoring the church area and to move away.
The danger of surveillance wasn't great, but it was still present. If they ran into a pervert like Freed, a bloody incident might occur.
Now that he had successfully found Asia, there was no need for the girls to continue taking unnecessary risks.
Because of the Sacred Gear Twilight Healing, Asia had known about the existence of supernatural powers since she was a child. However, in the small, rural church abroad, no one was willing to explain more things to an orphan like her.
It was possible that the church that adopted Asia had no one with power beyond C-class. Even if they explained, they wouldn't have anything of value to say.
It wasn't until Ethan personally demonstrated and explained things to her that Asia learned about the existence of demonic power and that her healing ability was granted by the Sacred Gear residing within her body.
"Asia, don't be afraid. Although the President and everyone else are Devils, they are actually all good people."
Walking up to the door of the club room, Ethan stroked the top of Asia's head, calming the nervous little nun.
Asia gently shook her head, lifting her fair, delicate face. "No, I'm not scared. I'm just worried that everyone won't like me."
"Because... you see, I'm a nun, and everyone else is a Devil..."
Ethan said nothing, merely giving her a reassuring smile.