Chapter 178: Injuries
"Don't worry, I just don't want to continue with the exhausting work of being Governor anymore. My interest lies in researching and creating Sacred Gears. All I need is to stay here and receive regular research funding."
Azazel smiled faintly, putting on a carefree appearance.
As long as he could establish a connection, he had plenty of ways to manipulate these young people. By the time they realized something was wrong, it would be too late.
Except for Haruto, no one present could see his hidden intentions. Even Rias was secretly considering the feasibility of the arrangement.
The conditions Azazel proposed were too advantageous for them. Both the matter of Amano and the other two, and the guidance of a powerful mentor, were urgent problems needing solution for the Occult Research Club.
But her habitual caution prevented her from agreeing immediately.
"I'll consider it and give you my answer before school starts."
Hearing Rias's response, Haruto also breathed a slight sigh of relief, while his long-relaxed mindset tightened up again.
As his strength improved and his relationship with Rias and the others deepened, the greatest danger was no longer the Cuckold Protagonist Template, but other powerful beings with various agendas.
As for whether the Cuckold Protagonist Template had contributed to this situation, Haruto didn't know, nor did he need to know.
Regardless of whether the Cuckold Protagonist Template was involved, he and those who had set their sights on Rias and the others were mortal enemies, with no room for compromise.
"Then we'll take our leave. I hope you can restrain your subordinates during this time."
After speaking, Rias signaled for Akeno Himejima to prepare the teleportation array.
This time Azazel didn't try to stop them again. He raised his glass in a friendly manner and smiled, "Safe travels. Don't worry, no Fallen Angels will appear in town before I receive your response."
If the response didn't satisfy him, whatever happened next would no longer be his concern.
Faced with Azazel's silent threat, Rias paused for a moment, then stepped into the teleportation array with a cold expression, remaining silent.
When strength falls short, words are meaningless—saying more would only make one appear like a clown.
One by one, the members of the Occult Research Club entered the teleportation array. When it was Amano and the other two's turn, Azazel's eyes narrowed sharply, but in the end, he did nothing.
Haruto was the last to enter the teleportation array. At this point, Azazel no longer concealed his inner thoughts.
"Kid, you seem to hold quite a grudge against me."
He narrowed his eyes and suddenly released an overwhelming aura, the force of which sent Haruto stumbling back two steps.
"I hope you recognize your place. You're just a servant. Out of respect for your master, I'll let you off this once, but there won't be a next time."
Haruto gritted his teeth, silently channeling the power within him to resist. The intense clash of energies caused blood to trickle from the corner of his mouth.
He stared at the fallen angel governor before him, hesitating over whether to use his Sacred Gear.
If he caught him off guard and used Balance Breaker at the cost of his life force, he might just be able to take down the guy in front of him in one go.
Just then, Azazel let out a light snort, and the oppressive aura targeting Haruto vanished instantly.
"That was just a small lesson for you. Remember to show the proper humility in the presence of a superior."
Haruto didn't reply. After giving him a deep look, he turned and stepped into the teleportation array.
Occult Research Club.
Rias and the others had been waiting for Haruto for a long time and were about to go back to check on him when Haruto appeared in the clubroom, his face pale.
Rias quickly stepped forward to support his arm, her expression grave as she asked, "Haruto, did Azazel attack you?"
As she spoke, she helped him over to the sofa and had him lie down to rest.
Soon, everyone else gathered around, their expressions equally grim.
Lying on the sofa, his head resting on Akeno's soft thigh as she considerately leaned closer, Haruto smiled bitterly and said, "I wouldn't call it an attack. He just hit me with his aura."
The further one progresses, the greater the gap in strength between each level.
An S-class attack can destroy a small mountain. By the time one reaches the Maou-class (EX-level), even a careless argument could lead to the destruction of an entire country.
Beyond the god-level, creating or destroying alternate dimensions becomes as easy as lifting a hand.
Haruto didn't know whether Azazel was SSS-class or had already reached EX-class, but without using his Sacred Gear, he stood no chance of winning based on his own strength alone.
"Is the gap in strength really that big?"
Amano asked in confusion, "Haruto is the strongest among us. He couldn't even withstand Azazel's... his aura?"
This wasn't just her question—it was on the minds of the other club members as well.
Aside from Rias, no one present understood the terror of a Maou-class existence, let alone witnessed a battle between fighters of that level.
"The gap in strength really is that vast," Rias sighed and explained slowly. "That's also why I was so eager to return as soon as I realized the one who came this time was the fallen angel governor."
Staying there left her with no sense of security. If the other party intended to harm them, the only chance of defeating him would be if Haruto overdrafted his life force to use the Boosted Gear.
If a real battle were to break out, given their current strength, they would only hold Haruto back.
If Haruto were to face Azazel alone and recklessly use his Sacred Gear, he might have a fifty percent chance of victory. But with them present, having to worry about their safety, even a ten percent chance would be optimistic.
Everyone's expressions turned serious—this enemy was far too powerful, completely beyond their capabilities.
Especially Amano and the other two, who looked deeply troubled, believing they bore undeniable responsibility for the situation.
Haruto immediately sensed their thoughts and said calmly, "Yuuma, Mittelt, Warna, don't overthink it. Azazel never took you seriously in the first place. He only proposed those terms because he discovered you had become Rias's servants."
That was indeed the case. Azazel didn't care about Amano and the other two's survival at all—he only brought them up because he believed they still held some value to exploit.
Amano and the other two were well aware of this, as the Fallen Angels' initial reaction had made it abundantly clear. However, they still didn't fully understand Rias and worried they might be abandoned over this incident.
Rias's charisma was undeniable. After nearly half a year together, although Amano and the other two weren't as devoted to Rias as Akeno and the others, they already considered themselves part of the Occult Research Club.
"President, I have a bad feeling about that man. He's definitely plotting something," Haruto said, turning to Rias after seeing Amano and the others relax. "Letting Azazel settle in Kuoh Town is like placing a time bomb right beside us."
Due to her biological father, Akeno also deeply distrusted the Fallen Angels' upper echelons.
She agreed, "President, just because Azazel isn't planning anything now doesn't mean he won't later. By then, we might not even have time to react."
Rias nodded slightly and looked at the others.
"What are your thoughts? If everyone disagrees, I'll report this matter."
Naturally, Amano and the other two were unwilling to have further interactions with Azazel and promptly sided with Haruto.
Koneko licked a lollipop she had pulled out from nowhere, her expression blank. "I'll follow the President's decision."
"What about you, Yuuto?"
Faced with Rias's question, Yuuto Kiba spread his hands and smiled wryly. "President, you know me—I don't have any fondness for the Church crowd."
The Fallen Angels and the Church weren't the same faction, but their connection was deeply intertwined.
The Church revered God, while the Fallen Angels were abandoned by Him. Before their fall, the Fallen Angels had been the Church's superiors.
Nowadays, the Church handed over certain heretics—such as murderous priests, nuns who healed devils, and corrupt knights—to the Fallen Angels in exchange for favors.
Rias longed for a powerful mentor to guide her and her servants, but she herself had little goodwill toward that middle-aged man, especially after he injured Haruto.
With nearly all her servants opposed, the outcome was clear.
Just as she was about to contact Grayfia, Haruto suddenly spoke up, "President, wait. Let's gather some intelligence first. That way, if the Satan asks, we won't be left with nothing to say."
Rias paused. Indeed, contacting Grayfia directly without any information would be embarrassing. If asked, she wouldn't even know how many people were involved or their purpose here.
Since they were all family, she wouldn't be reprimanded, but it would still be humiliating. She didn't want to keep being seen as the little sister who only knew how to act spoiled.
"There's still plenty of time before school starts, so there's no need to notify the higher-ups immediately."
Rias slowly walked back behind her desk. "As for the investigation..."