There was no protracted battle—just a single, understated moment.
A few seconds later, the silver-haired exorcist's head went flying; Bokue Keikain casually tossed it aside.
Freed Sellzen.
He became an exorcist at age thirteen by passing a combat exam.
After joining the Vatican's order, he demonstrated extraordinary talent in quick succession—slaying devils and beasts that even veteran exorcists struggled to handle. By seventeen, he had climbed into the Holy Office, becoming the youngest "Ace" in the order's history.
His record was dazzling, indisputably proving him a genius in combat.
But Freed harbored a fatal flaw: He lacked true faith, instead craving bloodshed and battle.
On missions, if a comrade suffered an injury that risked compromising the objective, he'd kill them without remorse and carry on solo. Then, upon returning to the order, he'd claim those teammates had died fighting the high-level devils—absolving himself of any blame.
Of course, the truth eventually leaked.
As Freed miraculously returned alone from too many missions, suspicion grew. A thorough investigation uncovered his atrocities.
But with his skills, Freed eluded arrest, fleeing the Vatican altogether—ending up in Japan as a "lost priest."
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Now, under the dim, flickering candlelight that once again illuminated Freed's face, his final expression remained frozen in terror, mouth gaping in a silent scream.
"Phew—done."
Placing Freed's disembodied head, along with the stolen Light Sword and handgun, on the dining table, Bokue exhaled.
Japan's police might not be the most efficient, but at least this evidence should help them realize the killer was linked to the Vatican's order—leading the authorities to contact the church, confirm Freed's identity, and handle it from there.
As for the house's unfortunate owner—tragic, but the dead cannot return. Bokue silently offered a brief prayer for their soul.
Having settled every detail to ensure no loose ends, he finally turned toward the door.
Outside, darkness had swallowed the last hint of sunset; night had firmly taken hold.
At the threshold stood Asia, silent and unmoving. The broad hood of her nun's habit veiled her face so that Bokue couldn't see her expression clearly.
Pulling out his phone, he sent a text to the cat-eared girl at home—letting her know he'd be late tonight—then looked up and shrugged.
"Let's talk somewhere else, Asia."
"…"
She didn't say a word. Her lips quivered, as if to speak some apology. But before the words could form, Asia whirled around, vigorously wiping her tears with her sleeve. Then she bolted, disappearing into the deepening twilight.
"Uh…"
For a moment, Bokue stood there, frozen like some actor caught mid-scene—hand half-raised.
He only wanted to move the conversation elsewhere, right? She'd just witnessed an incredibly gruesome murder scene and watched him kill a bloodthirsty ex-priest on the spot.
Was he supposed to pat her on the shoulder and say, "Let's go get barbecue"? That would've been bizarre. Naturally, they needed a quieter place to talk everything through.
But now she'd run off—clearly shaken. He sighed, rubbing his forehead.
Still, better to keep an eye on her so nothing else happened. With her stamina, she couldn't get far before tiring out. He'd let her calm down in private, then approach once she was ready.
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Just as he made to follow, there was a faint whir overhead.
A single black feather drifted down, catching his eye. Then a sultry female voice echoed from above.
"Oh my—where do you think you're running off to, little nun?"
Huh?
Asia's body visibly stiffened. She halted in her tracks. Bokue glanced skyward.
A shapely silhouette swooped down like a hawk, cutting through the night's gloom to land at Asia's side—one slender arm blocking the nun's path. She was a young woman with a bewitching figure, long black hair cascading like a waterfall, and an outfit so revealing it practically spelled out "risqué."
If one overlooked the Dark Wings unfurled behind her, it might have been quite the alluring encounter.
"A Fallen Angel."
Bokue understood immediately.
Both Rias and Freed had mentioned "Fallen Angels," and this figure's appearance left no doubt.
"Raynare… sama…"
As if terrified, Asia cowered like a trembling chick; not daring to resist, she was rooted in place.
Raynare smiled faintly. "So Freed got taken out, huh? No matter—we'll protect you anyway. Be a good girl and return to the church with us, Asia. There's an important ritual to conduct."
She turned her gaze to Bokue, casting him a disdainful glance before seizing Asia's arm and beating her black wings, taking flight.
A cool drop of moisture caught the night breeze—a teardrop. Bokue also caught a faint whisper of Asia's stifled sob:
"…Help me…"
But he didn't pursue immediately. He stood, watching as the Fallen Angel glided off toward the church in plain view.
Calmly, he took out his phone and dialed Rias.
"Rias? It's me. I found the Fallen Angels."
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Meanwhile, in Kuoh Academy's old schoolhouse, Rias—dozing on the clubroom couch—startled upright at the news.
"Huh, you found them? Where?"
"They're at the church near the academy. I'm heading there now."
Over the line, Bokue's voice was peppered with the rush of wind. It sounded like he was running.
Yet despite Rias having explicitly told him to track Fallen Angel movements, she now hesitated. Because… the church—a consecrated stronghold—was absolutely off-limits to devils.
Holy wards meant weaker devils could be injured just by entering the grounds. A pureblood devil like Rias might be able to force her way in, but that would be viewed as a unilateral aggression by the Underworld against Heaven. In their delicate post-war recovery, such provocation was unthinkable.
Damn Fallen Angels, using the fact they could enter holy ground freely…
"Don't worry, leave the barrier to me."
He reassured her, then cut the line.
The next moment, Golden Spiritual Power burst around him. Bokue streaked into the sky like a firework, rocketing across the night toward the church.
Even from a distance, he snapped his fingers.
A radiant bolt of Pressure slammed down, shattering the Holy barrier that cloaked the church in an instant.
"Oh, you're not getting away—"
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Update Schedule: 21 Chapter/week.
Every 100 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter