Three days after Ethan rescued... ahem... abducted Asia, news finally came from the Fallen Angels, requesting Rias to return the girl.
In the past few days, Asia had completely integrated into the Occult Research Club. At Rias's direction, Akeno Himejima had tested the little nun's magical aptitude and the power of her Sacred Gear.
Twilight Healing (Holy Mother's Smile) not only had a higher rank than typical Sacred Gears but also possessed the rare, indiscriminate healing ability.
Coupled with Asia's highly exceptional magical aptitude, Rias felt Asia had great potential and was very suitable for the Bishop class.
Especially since Asia was an orphan with a pure and kind heart.
Beyond just ability, Rias highly valued the character of her servants; she didn't want any Stray Devils under her command.
Therefore, after consulting Asia's opinion, Rias sent a non-negotiable reply, stating that the girl was hers, and that this territory was hers, and she would absolutely not hand her over.
Asia felt that these few days were the happiest of her life. She was no longer forced to do various chores daily, and she had a soft bed and delicious food.
Her only daily task was to help heal the minor injuries of Yuuto Kiba and the others during training. These small wounds didn't even count as a drain on her, and she genuinely enjoyed the feeling of helping others heal.
Twilight Healing did not possess a soul or will, but Sacred Gears have spirits. When choosing a host, they generally seek a person with suitable affinity.
To be chosen by Twilight Healing, it was not an exaggeration to call Asia a 'little saint' of the current world.
The reason she was expelled by the Church was because she healed an injured Devil.
Despite knowing that Devils and the Church were enemies, she couldn't stand by and do nothing when faced with an injured person.
Mhm. Saintly as she was, Asia could still distinguish right from wrong. If the person was evil, no matter how compassionate she felt, she wouldn't be foolish enough to save them.
Besides, she was still young. With proper guidance...
Ahem, with proper education, slightly altering her worldview to reserve her kindness only for her own people, Asia would be fine.
Overall, Asia was a good child, and there was absolutely no fear of her becoming a 'saint' in the pejorative sense, or a 'holier-than-thou bitch.'
During the healing process, Asia had also established friendships with the others.
Ethan had initially worried that the convergence of world lines would lead Yuma Amano to covet Asia's Sacred Gear, but later realized he had overthought it.
Since breaking through to A-class and completely escaping the Fallen Angel faction, the fate of Yuma Amano's trio had completely changed.
Given Yuma Amano's current strength, she no longer had much interest in Twilight Healing.
If she were to acquire a Sacred Gear, it would have to be either a Longinus (God-Slaying Gear) or the strongest non-Longinus Sacred Gear.
Yuma Amano's personality was competitive and, to put it harshly, greedy.
As her strength increased and her horizons broadened, her ambition naturally rose as well.
However, Ethan didn't dislike this trait. To grow stronger, his own moral bottom line was quite flexible. Towards irrelevant people, his attitude was no better than Yuma Amano's.
For example, if a female being with the power of a God, who was unrelated to him or his companions, were lying before him, allowing him to do whatever he wished...
Ethan would absolutely not pass up the opportunity.
Regardless of whether the other party had a loved one, or even a husband and children, he could fully embrace the role of the very kind of person he hated most, all for the sake of becoming stronger.
Ethan once thought he could never do such a thing, as he was a victim of the Cuckold Template.
But as he spent more time in this world and slept with more girls, his ideology was undergoing an indescribable transformation.
Especially after discovering the possibility of eternal life, ruling the world, and transcending it, the conventional morality of ordinary people truly became increasingly fragile.
This change was more akin to different life stages leading to different perceptions of the world.
The same person, as a child, an adolescent, and an adult, has different, sometimes completely opposite, views on society and the world.
Ethan didn't know if this change was good or bad, but he didn't resist it.
He was always himself; his unique soul and mind clearly demonstrated that.
Getting back to the topic.
After Rias's refusal, the Fallen Angels didn't actually make a move. Azazel merely sent a messenger to express his hope for an early reply.
The first semester of Kuoh Academy began on April 2nd, which was less than ten days away.
Since Asia's arrival, Ethan hadn't gone back to investigate the Grand Church or Azazel.
During his free time, he used the excuse of helping Asia familiarize herself with the environment, and, along with Koneko Toujou, the trio went out to explore.
After hearing Asia's experience, Rias's impression of Azazel plummeted. She stopped demanding an investigation, only waiting for the appropriate time to report the situation and then drive the group of Fallen Angels out.
Upon receiving Azazel's latest message, she decided to simply notify Grayfia.
March 27th, one week before the start of the semester.
In the Occult Research Club room, Ethan and the other servants gathered around Rias, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Strongest Queen.
In the center of the living room, a silver-white magic circle quickly formed. The dazzling silver light gradually condensed into a graceful figure.
Grayfia, wearing a classic blue and white maid uniform, appeared before everyone. Although it was an extremely modest, proper maid uniform that didn't even expose her neck.
However, the overly massive mountain range on her chest formed an exaggerated curve. Coupled with her seductive and mature face, she still managed to look incredibly SEXy.
The MILF version of Sakuya Izayoi. Seeing Grayfia for the first time, another, more familiar maid suddenly popped into Ethan's mind.
The two looked very similar: silver hair braided in a braid, wearing a maid uniform, and serving as the head maid to their master.
But unlike the maid who padded her chest, Grayfia's large 'bunnies' were the real deal.
Ethan couldn't help but swallow, a little curious about the voluptuous, wonderful body hidden beneath that modest attire.
Meanwhile...
In Gensokyo, located in some unknown corner of the world, in the Scarlet Devil Mansion located within the Misty Lake, the silver-haired maid preparing B-type blood tea for the five-hundred-year-old vampire loli suddenly felt an itch in her nose.
As the Strongest Queen, Grayfia's power was at the Devil King level. She immediately noticed Ethan's gaze.
Her figure had always been this way, and she was used to the attention. Especially after giving birth, she had become even more alluring and full-figured.
Not sensing any malice in Ethan's gaze, Grayfia decided not to say anything.
In fact, the moment she saw Ethan, she felt an immediate sense of approval, a faint feeling of goodwill lingering in her heart. She simply chose to ignore the slight lust she detected.
Grayfia bowed slightly, greeting Rias, "Lady Rias, good afternoon."
Rias nodded, briefly introducing everyone.
"Grayfia, these are all my servants, and servant candidates."
The candidates referred to Asia and Ethan. Although Ethan's data was recorded, given his current situation, he was technically not acknowledged as Rias's servant.
"This is Grayfia. She is my brother's Queen, and also my sister-in-law."
Grayfia looked at everyone and gave a slight nod, her gaze lingering on Ethan for an extra instant.
The speed was so quick that no one present noticed. Only Ethan, the person involved, sensed something.
He assumed his inner thoughts had been seen through and gave a somewhat embarrassed smile.
"Grayfia, what did my brother say? Did he send you to help drive out that Fallen Angel?"
With such a powerful and morally questionable Fallen Angel present in Kuoh Town, Rias felt a growing unease.
Grayfia shook her head, speaking seriously. "Sir Sirzechs asked me to inform you to try to avoid conflict with Azazel. His terms are reasonable, and you should consider accepting them."
As the Governor of the Fallen Angels, Azazel's status was virtually equal to the Four Great Devil Kings, and his power was exceptionally formidable. If Rias could receive guidance from him, her and the others' strength would undoubtedly grow rapidly.
Rias frowned. "Grayfia, I've made myself clear. He has ill intentions. I cannot collaborate with him."
"Whether you collaborate or not is up to you, Lady Rias."
Grayfia said calmly, "But Sir Sirzechs said he cannot help you expel him. The Three Factions Conference is imminent, you should be able to understand."
Rias was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I understand. I will handle it myself."
Grayfia said nothing further. After bowing slightly to Rias again, a silver magic circle once more appeared beneath her.
As the silver magic power dispersed into fading motes of light, everyone in the Occult Research Club room looked at Rias.
"President... what do you plan to do?"