Rias fell silent, clutching her chin. After a long moment, she slowly said, "I know none of you want too much contact with the Fallen Angels, but our strength is insufficient to drive them out..."
Everyone understood Rias's difficulty. Grayfia's meaning was clear: as long as Azazel didn't do anything excessively outrageous, the upper echelons of the Devil world would not intervene directly.
This timing was sensitive. Whether peace or hostility was decided upon, similar issues would be easier to resolve once the factions' attitudes were fixed.
If it were hostility, there was no need to discuss: might makes right.
If it were peace, there would be designated negotiators, similar to diplomacy between nations.
It was precisely during this transitional period—from hostility and war to potential peace and mutual aid—that no faction dared to take overly aggressive actions.
If doing so led to the collapse of the negotiations and the resumption of the Great War, the perpetrator would surely be nailed to the pillar of historical shame.
Regardless of their private thoughts, everyone publicly opposed war.
"President, you make the decision. We support you unconditionally."
Ethan also understood that expelling Azazel was now impossible. In that case, he might as well try to score some more goodwill with Rias. Furthermore, he believed Rias wouldn't truly invite the wolf into the house.
A girl's sixth sense was often infallible, no matter how good Azazel's disguise was.
Even without Freed's specific remarks about Asia, Rias and the others already felt little goodwill toward him, sensing a vague, lingering malevolence around Azazel.
Rias looked at the others. Akeno Himejima, Yuma Amano, and the rest nodded simultaneously, indicating they would follow Rias's command.
Seeing the devotion of her servants, the red-haired Devil beauty smiled brightly.
"In truth, Azazel's conditions are quite advantageous for us."
She pointed to herself, and then to Yuma Amano's trio and Akeno Himejima.
"If I want to break through to Ultimate-Class Devil quickly, aside from a lucky encounter or Dual Cultivation with Akira, seeking guidance from a strong person is the only remaining option."
"For Akeno and the four of you, since you all have Fallen Angel blood, Azazel's guidance would certainly be highly effective."
Akeno Himejima's mother was human, and her father was a Fallen Angel cadre. After being reincarnated by the Evil Pieces, she was now a hybrid of Human, Devil, and Fallen Angel.
Yuma Amano's trio were Devil and Fallen Angel hybrids after their reincarnation.
Fallen Angel power was a crucial part of their strength. As the Governor of the Fallen Angels, Azazel had reached the pinnacle of expertise in utilizing Fallen Angel power.
With his guidance, assuming he wasn't holding back, the strength of Akeno Himejima and the other three would undoubtedly increase rapidly.
In fact, through the Dual Cultivation ability, Ethan also possessed Fallen Angel blood, but he had never exposed it. Even Rias was unaware of this information.
"As for Koneko and Yuuto..."
Rias said seriously, "The power within you is formidable, but developing it is very difficult. As a veteran Fallen Angel, Azazel might also be able to provide you with significant assistance in this area."
Rias did not mention Asia or Ethan. Asia had not been reincarnated yet, and even if she was, Rias could easily guide her herself.
As for Ethan, his power was too great and he was on the verge of breaking through at any moment, so Azazel's interference was unnecessary.
With the matter explained this clearly, everyone understood Rias's intent.
Since they couldn't drive him out, they should utilize him as much as possible, which was better than constantly being on edge.
"Rias..."
Akeno Himejima's distrust of the Fallen Angels caused her to forget to call Rias 'President' for a moment, instead using her informal name.
"If we are to accept his guidance, either he comes to us, or we go to him..."
Rias laughed softly and shook her head. "Akeno, don't worry. He wouldn't dare pull any tricks."
"The Devil King won't intervene, fearing it will affect the upcoming Three Factions Conference. Azazel is in the same boat. If he makes a move, we can expose him at the conference."
Should such a situation occur, putting the Fallen Angels at a disadvantage in the conference, Azazel would be in serious trouble.
Akeno Himejima nodded. As the Devil King's sister and the next head of the Gremory family, Rias was undoubtedly qualified to attend the Three Factions Conference.
Given this, she had nothing more to say.
"President, I'll go prepare the reply now. Should the resources we provide be paid for ourselves or from the public funds?"
With the matter settled and her servants in agreement, Rias felt much more relaxed.
Hearing Akeno Himejima's question, she smiled cunningly. "Since the Devil King himself told us to make contact, it is an assignment from the higher-ups. Of course, it will be paid for by the public funds."
The Four Great Devil Kings were sustained by the entire Devil race. Upon taking the Devil King position, they even had to discard their family name.
Rias's action wasn't exactly cheating her brother, but rather reasonably fleecing the entire Devil race's resources.
At the same time, using public funds also prevented Azazel from demanding excessive resources.
If the requested resources were too much, the higher-ups would naturally notify the Devil King when reviewing the expense report. The Devil King would then personally go have a word with the former Fallen Angel Governor.
The collaboration with Azazel was set aside for now. Drafting the contract would take time, and both sides would need to negotiate and haggle.
It would take at least a week for the collaboration to be fully implemented.
Taking advantage of Grayfia's visit, Rias formally extended the invitation to Asia to become her servant.
Although the time was short, Asia had fully integrated into the Occult Research Club.
The others had also often brought up the matter, sometimes intentionally. At this point, the blonde little nun looked at the Evil Piece in Rias's palm, blinking, not overly surprised.
She didn't feel there was anything wrong with Devils, but the sudden requirement to abandon her human identity made her hesitant for a moment.
"Asia, you don't have to rush your decision."
Seeing the blonde little nun's hesitant expression, Rias reassured her. "Even if you don't join, you can still stay here, and everyone will still be your friend."
The blonde little nun looked at Rias with gratitude and nodded firmly.
Just as Rias was about to withdraw the piece, Asia stretched out both hands and grasped Rias's slender palm.
"President, I accept!"
"Asia?" Rias was stunned for a moment, then burst into a radiant smile. "Are you really sure? From now on, you won't be able to pray to God anymore."
Asia reflexively clasped her hands over her chest. "Ah, I'm sorry, Lord God..."
After praying, the blonde little nun looked at Rias, saying earnestly, "I want to stay with everyone forever, and I want to be able to help everyone. I'm sure the Lord God will understand me."
Gods truly existed in this world, both Eastern and Western. However, for unknown reasons, they neither descended nor manifested.
Shinto God-level beings like Chisato Hasegawa sealed all their power to descend.
If she ever broke the seal, she would have to leave the human world.
Looking at the innocent and adorable Asia, everyone laughed in unison, but no one teased her further.
"I understand your determination, Asia. Please take care of me from now on."
"Oh—"
A crimson magic circle formed beneath Asia's feet, and the girl's slender body slowly floated up. The Bishop Evil Piece in Rias's palm slowly flew toward Asia's chest.
The Evil Piece, tainted with Ethan's aura, passed through the nun's habit. After a burst of dazzling white light, it merged into Asia's slender body.
However, the magic circle beneath Asia's feet remained, and she continued to float in the air with her eyes tightly closed.
Rias paused, then immediately took out another Bishop Evil Piece.
This was her only Mutated Piece, which was highly valuable. But with Ethan's situation in mind, she didn't want any more accidents and decided to use it without hesitation.
As the special Mutated Piece merged into Asia's body, the reincarnation ritual smoothly concluded.
"I didn't expect Asia's potential to be so great. Even one Bishop piece wasn't enough."
Rias felt a little regretful. The situation was sudden, and she hadn't properly tested how many pieces Asia would need for reincarnation. Otherwise, she wouldn't have wasted the previous Bishop Piece.
After the regret passed, she quickly regained her spirits. Asia's great potential was a good thing for her.
Akeno Himejima and the others all stepped forward to congratulate the little nun, only Ethan stood still, looking somewhat spaced out.
He distinctly remembered Asia only needing one Bishop Piece to be reincarnated... Was it because the Sacred Gear hadn't been stripped away?
The Boosted Gear was worth seven Pawn pieces. It made sense that Twilight Healing would also raise Asia's potential. The logic was sound.
But Rias had used the Mutated Piece immediately. What about Gaspar, who was the reincarnation of a Demon God's consciousness fragment, later?
Without a Mutated Piece, the trap that was a girl who was actually a boy, who loved wearing women's clothing and was attracted to men, could not become Rias's servant.