"What's futile is not realizing the reality of your own futility. One hundred cowards are the same as one."

  — Yujiro Hanma, Baki

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  This guy tried to take advantage of Asia in the inal story, so there's no way Roy would let her go alone.

  Anticipating a tough fight, Roy discreetly tacted Saeko and the others, asking for their assistance.

  With his current power, Roy could hahe situation alohe Fallen Angel Raynare was only a mid-level Fallen Angel.

  However, the Stray exorcist Freed Sellzen also possessed the strength of a mid-css devil, and there were numerous lesser eo sider. Bringing Saeko along was the safer option.

  Roy doubted the three mid-level Fallen Angels from the inal story would be present. Raynare had specifically ihem to keep Rias and Akeno occupied.

  Since Asia's situation wasn't yet known to Rias, Raynare likely wouldn't have called for reinforts.

  Soon, Roy and Asia arrived he church.

  A young, white-haired priest stood at the entrance, blog their path. It was Freed.

  "Asia-, we've been expeg you. Please, e in," Freed said with an exaggerated smile.

  "But this one 't e inside." Freed looked at Roy, his eyes fshing with murderous i, though he kept it hidden from Asia.

  "Roy-san!" Asia looked at Roy worriedly.

  "Haha, it's fine, Asia. Go on in," Roy said, smiling and patting her head.

  Asia, in her e, trusted Roy's words aered the church.

  "Well, well... if it isn't the useless devil from the House of Lucifuge," Freed sneered, his smile turning sinister once Asia was out of earshot.

  "Yoal is the Sacred Gear inside Asia, isn't it?" Roy asked, ign Freed's taunt.

  "Hahahaha, precisely! Asia- will be relieved of her Sacred Gear very soon. It's a shame, I was hoping to have some fun with her first," Freed cackled.

  Roy's eyes turned cold. He had already sentehis priest to death.

  Just as he was about to strike, a chorus of voices called out.

  "Roy-, we're here!"

  A group of girls arrived, Saeko, Shizuka, and the others.

  "Well, well, well. If it isn't a pack of devil scum e to die! Hahahaha..." Freed roared with ughter, seeing the group of devils.

  Saeko and the red at him, their expressions hardening.

  "Roy..." Saeko stepped forward, her eyes fixed on the priest, radiating killing i.

  Anyone who dared insult Roy was marked for death in her eyes.

  "Yes, Saeko. I'll leave this oo you."

  "Uood. I won't let him escape." A bloodthirsty gliered Saeko's eyes.

  "His ons are particurly effective against devils. Be careful not to get injured," Roy warned.

  "Yes!" With a curt nod, Saeko charged.

  She couldn't wait to tear Freed apart.

  "Don't get cocky, you stupid devil!" Freed s the approag woman.

  He quickly dreistol and a sword.

  *g!!!*

  Saeko's katana cshed against Freed's sword. The force of the impact sent a jolt through Freed's arm, numbing his hand.

  Before he could react, Saeko unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks.

  Even Yuuto Kiba had struggled against Freed in the inal story. But against Saeko, Freed was utterly outmatched.

  Saeko's swordsmanship was on a pletely different level. Yuuto, reliant on his Sacred Gear, wasn't as skilled with a bde.

  Freed's defeat was only a matter of time.

  "I'll leave him to Saeko. The rest of you stay here," Roy instructed the irls, turning to ehe church.

  The uping battle wasn't something they should be involved in.

  "Roy-, be careful!"

  "Go get 'em, Roy-onii!"

  The girls uood and offered words of encement.

  ...

  Ihe church, the se was one of disrepair and decay. Asia was o be seen.

  Roy knew she must have been taken to the basement, where Raynare would be preparing the ritual to extract her Sacred Gear.

  Wasting no time, he desded into the basement.

  In the ter of the basement, beside a rge cross on a raised ptform, stood Rayhe Fallen Angel, her wicked attire.

  She seemed to be speaking to Asia, who sat on the ground, her head bowed in disbelief, tears streaming down her face.

  It was clear that Asia had realized the truth: the priest's offer of sanctuary had been a lie, a trap to lure her here.

  Their true objective was her Sacred Gear, and there was no oo help her. She could only despairingly accept her fate.

  "Wele, Devil of the House of Lucifuge," Raynare said, turning to face him. She wasn't surprised.

  The otion outside had alerted her to their arrival.

  Hearing Raynare's words, Asia looked up with a glimmer of hope.

  "Roy-san!" She cried out in relief, seeing him.

  "Don't worry, Asia. I'm here to save you." Seeing the i, cheerful young nun reduced to this state pained Roy's heart.

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