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Chapter 56: Golden Judgment.
🕑 Added 2025-05-31 08:05:09 +0000 UTCCelestial Ascendancy
Chapter 56: Golden Judgment.
Kuoh, Japan.
Hermione Granger.
“Madam Pranitha, before we begin, I’d like to speak with Iris and Hermione about something important,” Rias said, a soft frown tugging at her lips.
I paused mid-sentence, lifting my gaze from the notebook. Ever since Rias and Eli returned with the adorable little dhampir, something had been… off. She was trying to hide it, but I prided myself on being good at reading people, at least the ones I knew well.
And Rias had seen something that had shaken her.
It was written all over her face in the way she avoided looking at Elias directly. I doubted Iris had caught on, and Eli definitely didn’t seem to know what was going on either. He was acting oddly, too, like he could sense something was wrong with Rias but had no idea why.
I nodded at Madam Pranitha and handed over the half-scribbled scenarios I’d drafted in the short time we’d had. She was more than capable of interpreting the mess I’d made.
“Do you want some privacy, Rias?” Iris asked with a teasing smile.
I rolled my eyes, amused. Iris really liked the devils. It wasn’t that I didn’t, but I’d always been more of a loner. Iris, on the other hand, sought out friendships like she was trying to collect them all.
“I think that would be for the best,” Rias replied with a nod.
I stood, accepting Iris’s hand as she helped me up. She had been rubbing my head like she always did when I was focused on work.
“Should I come with you, my King?” Akeno asked, smiling brightly.
She’d been like that ever since we arrived. She genuinely enjoying her time with Elias, especially during training.
“I think you should assist Madam Pranitha,” Rias said gently, shaking her head.
There was a subtle hint of apology in her voice.
“We won’t be long, I promise, Akeno,” she added, ignoring the flicker of hurt in her Queen’s eyes.
But I didn’t. I saw it clearly. And so did Rias, even if she pretended not to.
It hurt her to say no.
Merlin, Eli… what did you do?
Iris caught on at that moment that the talk would be pretty significant and was soon frowning.
I nodded at her silently, and Iris acted like usual, grabbing both our hands and pulling us toward the cabin. I could feel the eyes on the back of my head while we walked, but before long, we were away in a secluded room.
Rias stopped just before reaching the cushion and stood there for a second, like her legs had locked up.
Then she started trembling.
Not dramatically or anything like that. But… she began sobbing. Her shoulders were tense, and the tears slipped out unabated, and that was enough for Iris to act.
She launched herself and glomped the redheaded devil with all the subtlety of a rampaging hippogriff. That was the Iris I loved.
“Oh, love… Rias, what’s wrong?” she cooed quietly in Rias’s ear, wrapping her up and practically rocking her. “Hey, hey, breathe, okay? You’re safe here. You’re with us.”
I stayed quiet for a moment, analyzing the situation. It was clear that whatever had happened was worse than even my worst guesses. I hadn’t known Rias for very long, but I liked to think we were friends. I’d gotten to know a bit about her… but I never imagined I’d see her like this. And definitely not this soon.
She had been holding it together too well ever since they brought Gasper back. But now it was apparent... she’d been waiting for a safe place to fall apart. Her refusal to let Akeno come with us made so much more sense now.
I doubted she wanted her Queen to see her like this. Especially considering how obvious her feelings for Eli were.
“I… I couldn’t move,” Rias finally whispered, her voice trembling. “I wanted to. I needed to save Gaspy. But I couldn’t.”
She was openly sobbing now.
Iris’s expression softened even more. She hugged Rias tighter, gently caressing her hair just like Eli did when one of us was upset.
Meanwhile, I crouched in front of them and hugged Rias the best I could. I’ll admit it, showing affection to someone who wasn’t Iris or Elias was hard for me.
Right now, Fleur was probably the only other person getting close to that level. But I wasn’t cruel. I liked Rias. And it hurt to see her like this.
“Was it Eli?” I asked softly, even though I already knew the answer.
I loved my boyfriend. Hell, I couldn’t picture my life without him. Not unless one of us was dead. But since the beginning of our friendship, Elias Black had been… troublesome at best. And that was before he got his hands on something as apocalyptic as the Grimoire.
He always joked he’d go gray before his thirties. But if we were being honest, Iris and I were in the same boat. Eli wasn’t easy.
Rias nodded almost frantically. “He was… he wasn’t him. I know him. I trust him. But this... this wasn’t Elias. It was like… something else was wearing his skin. The light, the bells, the power, it was everywhere. And I couldn’t even breathe.”
Her voice cracked again, and Iris pressed her forehead to Rias’s, whispering something soft while rocking her gently.
I stayed close, doing my best to offer what comfort I could.
“Do you have any idea what’s happening to him?” Rias asked, voice fragile. “Is something wrong with him? I… I was afraid he was going to kill Gaspy. And Lucifer, that holy pressure... I should’ve burned just standing near him. But it didn’t hurt. It didn’t even touch me.”
The weight of her question hit harder than I expected.
Just from the description, I already knew. Eli had suffered another… episode, like when he healed Fawkes.
Iris and I had talked about it a lot afterward. The power, the feeling, the Crown. But nothing weird had happened since. We thought it was a one-off.
We were apparently wrong.
“Eli would never harm you, Rias,” Iris said fiercely. I nodded without hesitation.
If there was one thing we knew with absolute certainty, it was this: Elias Black would never hurt someone he cared about. Not even by accident. He was the kindest, softest man we knew, and no one could make us doubt him. Ever.
“But we do know what you’re talking about,” I sighed, clenching my left hand and using the other to gently wipe away Rias’s tears. “Something changed in Eli after the fight with Walburga.”
I explained how, at the end of that battle, he’d said something had filled him with strength. My voice cracked slightly as I remembered just how close he’d come to dying that night.
“No one, not even him, knows what exactly happened,” I added lamely. “But he had a moment like that once before.”
I kissed Rias’s cheek gently and began telling her what had happened in the headmaster’s office.
“But it sounds like what happened with you was even more intense,” Iris said seriously. “I remember that time. Vividly. Believe me, I get how overwhelming it is.”
She paused, then added with a light giggle, “Although I didn’t feel afraid. But, knowing your race, I guess that makes sense.”
She sat back a little. “There were no bells back then. No cloak. And his eyes were normal. It hurt to watch him, yeah… but I still remember what he looked like. I doubt I’ll ever forget.”
“It felt… peaceful,” I whispered. The girls nodded in agreement. “I felt loved. But also… like I wasn’t worthy. Like my brain couldn’t comprehend what I was seeing.”
“Yes! That’s exactly it!” Rias nearly shouted, her voice raw. “I was afraid at first. That pressure in the room, the way he ignored me and walked to Gaspy like I didn’t even exist. But then… he kissed his forehead. And suddenly, everything felt right. Like the whole world had aligned.”
“We need to figure out what’s going on,” Rias said, more composed now but still serious. “That wasn’t normal. And I care about you three. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was being possessed by the spirit of God.”
She winced after saying it but forced herself to keep looking into our eyes.
“Eli’s only going to get stronger,” she said, cradling her head in her hands at the obvious migraine. “I’m not naïve. I know it. You know it. He is special.”
I smiled softly. “But remember this, Rias. Eli would never hurt you. Never.”
“Yeah!” Iris grinned. “He likes your hair too much for that.”
Rias let out a shaky laugh and pulled us into a hug as best she could.
“We’ll keep an eye on him,” I said seriously once she let go. “Whatever this is, we’ll figure it out together.”
“Now… how about we help you get presentable and finish your training?” I smirked. “The fire chicken won’t beat himself.”
Asia Argento.
I couldn’t help but sneak a few glances at my guide. After everything that had happened back in Italy… I had to admit, I felt lost. Like my life had been uprooted, and the meaning I once clung to had crumbled beneath me.
I still didn’t understand.
I had only tried to heal someone. Someone in pain. Isn’t that what the Lord wanted? Isn’t that what the Church taught us? Mercy, compassion, love?
So why… why had I been cast out for following His word? Had I misunderstood Him? Was this my punishment?
I shook the thoughts away gently, trying to suppress the bitterness clawing at my heart. That wasn’t right. That wasn’t faithful.
I looked up, and Elias was already glancing my way, his expression soft and concerned.
And suddenly… I knew.
No, God hadn’t forgotten me.
He still loved me.
He had sent someone to guide me.
Elias’s smile told me that I hadn’t been abandoned. That maybe… this was His way of reminding me I still had a place in this world.
I had been lucky… no, I was blessed to meet someone like Elias so soon after arriving in Kuoh. I didn’t know the language, the customs, or even where I was supposed to go next. But God had provided. He always did. And even if our friendship wouldn't last long, I would be grateful for however much time I was given.
Why would someone as kind and gentle as Elias want to be friends with someone like me?
I had a feeling he must’ve been popular back in his homeland. He seemed like the kind of person who had many friends, who went to school, who laughed and lived freely.
Was I jealous?
…Maybe a little.
A normal life… it was something I sometimes dreamed about. Not often. Just enough to wonder.
I had been left at an orphanage when I was still a baby, raised by the Church and its teachings from the very beginning.
I didn’t regret it. Not truly. But… I hoped the Lord would forgive me for dreaming of another life.
“When did you come to Kuoh, Mister Elias?” I asked softly, trying to start a conversation. Anything to avoid sinking deeper into the thoughts I wasn’t supposed to have. The less time I spent wallowing, the less I would sin.
Maybe I could find a place to confess while I was here. I hoped the priests and caretakers at the local Church were kind.
“I came here two days ago,” Elias replied, smiling gently as he reached out to pat my head.
I looked away, trying to hide the blush rising in my cheeks. Why was he so kind to me?
Being cared for like this… it felt warm. It was not something I had experienced much back in Italy.
“What about you, Asia?” he asked as I followed a step behind, secretly relieved that I didn’t have to carry my heavy bag. I felt guilty knowing how much it weighed, even though Elias took it as if it were nothing.
“I…” I began, then hesitated.
Should I tell him?
I didn’t think he was part of the supernatural world, but… you could never be sure. Maybe it was better to be vague for now. Besides, it wasn’t as if my clothing didn’t already speak for me.
It was all I had.
“Do you believe in God, Elias?” I asked softly, hoping. Maybe even praying that he would say yes.
Elias paused for a second. Then he chuckled quietly and kept walking. I hurried to follow, my eyes fixed on him as I waited for his answer.
“I know He exists, little Asia,” he said, voice barely above a whisper. “I have to admit I don’t follow the Catholic teachings very closely… but I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that He’s real.”
For whatever reason, hearing that made my chest feel lighter. Everyone had the right to believe as they chose; I knew that. But something about the certainty in Elias’s voice… it helped. It calmed some of the doubts I’d been too afraid to name.
“I’m a nun if it wasn’t obvious,” I said, smiling a little, though there was guilt in it.
He chuckled again, and I decided I liked the sound of his laugh.
“Oh, I figured that much already,” he said, shaking his head with amusement. “But you sound… conflicted. Did something happen?”
I lowered my head, biting my lip. My fingers clenched together, and for a moment, I almost stayed silent. But then I breathed in and gathered my courage.
“I was cast out,” I said quietly. “For something, I don’t regret. I… helped someone I wasn’t supposed to help.”
I closed my eyes as the tears slipped down, bracing myself for whatever he would say.
Would he look at me like the Church did? Would he turn away?
But then I felt his hand gently rest on my hair, warm and steady.
“That’s rubbish, and you know it, Asia,” he said firmly.
I blinked, eyes widening in shock, and looked up at him.
“What does God say about helping people, Asia?” Elias asked, his expression serious but kind.
I looked down, wiping my eyes with the sleeve of my robe. “To help others, no matter who they are,” I answered quietly.
Elias nodded. “Exactly. That’s what matters. Not the robes. Not the titles. Not the hierarchy. Just… doing good.”
He glanced at me with a half-smile, like he was remembering something. “You did the right thing, Asia. Even if the people in charge forgot what that means.”
A strange warmth bloomed in my chest. I wasn’t sure if it was relief, gratitude, or maybe something else, but it made it easier to breathe.
“Thank you,” I whispered. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”
Elias reached over and gently flicked my forehead, just enough to make me blink in surprise.
“You don’t need to thank me for saying something that should be obvious,” he said with a grin, “You’re a good person, Asia. Don’t let people who aren’t convince you otherwise.”
I smiled shyly and looked away. I wasn’t used to compliments… not like that. It was strange, but nice.
We kept walking in comfortable silence, and for a while, I let myself enjoy it. The air was warm, the breeze soft, and I was with someone kind. Someone who didn’t judge me.
It felt… safe.
Eventually, Elias stopped and placed a hand on my shoulder. “We’re here.”
I looked up, ready to thank him, but the words caught in my throat.
The Church in front of me was old. It looked abandoned. The once-white walls were now stained with age and soot.
It looked nothing like the places of worship I had grown up in. Nothing like the sanctuaries filled with God's light and warmth.
“Oh…” I murmured, my smile fading. “This is…”
“Not what you expected?” Elias finished, watching me closely.
I hesitated, then slowly shook my head. “It looks abandoned…”
He didn’t laugh or tease. He just nodded slowly. “From what I understand, the Church doesn't have that much presence here in Japan. This one was left abandoned for a long while, but there are people inside.”
“Don’t worry, your pretty little head, Asia,” Elias chuckled, “I do have some business here, so you won't be alone. As your religion preaches… Have some faith.”
I watched as Elias reached the decrepit church door and knocked twice before pushing it open. I followed timidly behind him, a little sad, and gasped when I saw the inside.
The Church was a mess... as naughty as it felt to say something like that.
Many of the sacred symbols were broken or defaced; the wooden pews had been pushed aside or even thrown about carelessly. It was heartbreaking. A place meant for prayer and peace now looked like it had been ransacked.
I hoped, truly hoped that I could help restore it alongside other faithful believers. The thought of us working together brought a small smile to my lips.
Maybe… maybe I could even ask Elias to help. He looked strong, and he was kind. Surely, he would help if I gathered enough courage to ask.
“Stay close to me, Asia,” Elias said gently. His hand reached for mine and pulled me behind him.
I blinked in surprise but obeyed. Something about his posture had changed.
He was frowning... no, scowling at the ruined Church. The expression twisted his usually gentle and beautiful face into something I’d never seen before.
His back was rigid, his steps careful and deliberate. I couldn’t understand what was happening. Elias wasn’t acting like himself. And yet… even though every part of my mind screamed that something was wrong, I didn’t feel afraid.
I felt safe.
We walked together, and soon, we were near the altar. I knelt instinctively, whispering a quiet prayer, while Elias remained standing beside me. He didn’t kneel, but I didn’t mind. His presence was enough.
A door near the right wall opened, and a man in priestly robes stepped through, a rosary wrapped tightly in his hands and a wide smile on his face.
“Oh… I think I understand why I was sent now,” the man murmured, barely loud enough for me to hear.
I stood up, about to greet him, but Elias’s hand caught my shoulder and kept me close.
I flinched. His grip was firmer than before. When I turned to look at him, I stumbled back a step.
The scowl was gone. His face was utterly blank, cold even.
His eyes… they weren’t angry. They were distant. And yet, I felt my heart pound in my chest like a warning bell.
“You must be Asia Argento,” the priest greeted with a gentle smile, his eyes full of warmth. “We’ve been waiting for you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, my dear.”
“Hello, Father,” I replied, smiling and waving from where I stood.
I tried to move closer, but Elias’s grip on my shoulder held me back.
I shifted uncomfortably. Why was he acting like this? There was no way he believed I was in danger, Father looked so welcoming. Even kinder than the ones back home.
“You may call me Father Marcus,” he continued with the same kind smile. “We didn’t expect you here so soon.”
“Oh, it’s all thanks to Mister Elias,” I said brightly, gesturing toward him, “He must’ve been sent by the Lord. He helped me reach this place much faster than I ever could on my own.”
“You have my...” The priest continued with his usual smile and gave Elias his hand for a handshake. Elias grabbed Father Marcus' hand firmly.
Father Marcus’s words caught mid-sentence. His eyes landed on Elias… and he froze. The warmth drained from his face. His smile faltered as his lips twitched.
“It was my pleasure,” Elias answered, his tone completely different than the one he used with me. “I met her by chance. But I was also searching for something. Something I hoped you might help me find.”
I glanced at him, confused. Father Marcus made a weird sound as his face reddened.
He was sweating profusely, and his face was growing redder and redder.
Should I use my sacred gear to heal him? It was strange; it was happening out of nowhere.
Elias’s eyes that I noticed were a cool, soft grey, seemed sharper now.
There was a flicker of something in them. Not fire, not exactly… but I could’ve sworn I saw a glint of gold, just for a moment.
“At least, that was my intention before I stepped inside this church,” Elias continued, voice dropping lower with each word.
He continued with his handshake.
I wondered if it was a custom of his country to make them this long before I realized something was wrong.
The last sentence… didn’t sound human. There was a rasp in it. A growl, almost. My heart skipped a beat.
“Now…” he murmured, his gaze shifting, not to Father Marcus, but toward the door at the side of the chapel. “Please, Father. Why don’t you explain what you and your followers are doing inside this place?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, son,” Father Marcus finally said through a wheeze. He tried pulling his hand back, his fingers twitching, but Elias didn’t let go.
In fact, if I listened closely, I could hear soft popping sounds that made my stomach twist.
“Let me go, you bastard!” the priest snarled, yanking something from within his robes. My breath caught.
A gun—no, not just any weapon. A holy pistol. I’d only ever seen one from a distance, from some of the exorcists in Italy.
The gunshot cracked through the air like thunder. I screamed.
“Mister Elias!!”
I ran forward, grabbing his arm. My sacred gear sparked to life on instinct, its soft green glow forming around my hand as I readied myself to heal him... do anything to help him.
Elias’s grip on Father Marcus finally loosened, and the priest staggered backward, raising the pistol with trembling hands. He pointed it directly at us.
Without thinking, I stepped in front of Elias.
He hadn’t fallen, but I couldn’t take that chance. I didn't understand what was happening, but Elias didn't deserve this.
“Father Marcus, what are you doing?!” I cried, tears welling in my eyes. “Mister Elias hasn’t done anything wrong! He helped me!”
“Move, you stupid girl!” the priest snapped, his voice cruel and venomous, “What did you bring into this church?!”
“You finally dropped the act,” Elias said flatly, “And it looks like your friends heard the noise.”
His eyes shifted past Marcus toward one of the side doors.
I turned my head to follow his gaze, but then I saw it.
The bullet.
Held between Elias’s fingers.
He hadn’t even flinched.
“Elias…?” I whispered, barely able to breathe.
“I’m sorry you had to see this, Asia,” he said, and his voice was warm again. Gentle, like before. “But since stepping into this Church… after seeing what they’ve done… I’ve felt something growing inside me.”
He paused. As if trying to put it into words.
“Wrath.”
He stepped forward, and I instinctively stepped back. But he didn’t scold me. He just reached out, gently patted my head, and guided me toward the wall.
I didn’t understand. His strength didn’t hurt me, but it left no room for resistance. When my back hit the cold stone, he raised his hand.
With a single word I couldn’t understand, petals of light bloomed between us, forming a radiant, curved shield that locked me away behind a transparent veil.
“Get him!” Father Marcus roared, his voice cracked and unhinged, as he drew a blade of shimmering light from beneath his robes.
Doors slammed open.
Exorcists poured out, men and women alike. Some in full gear, others clearly caught off guard. I gasped and looked away, face flushing as I caught glimpses of bare skin, their garments hastily thrown on, leaving little to the imagination.
Were they…? No... no, I didn’t want to think about it.
I looked toward Elias.
He was entirely still.
No emotion crossed his face. It was like he was a robot.
Then he moved.
A golden light gathered at his palm, and I shivered at the feeling it evoked when my eyes focused on it.
Elias stepped forward, almost casually raising his hand. The first exorcist lunged with a shout, his blade drawn.
A spear of light lanced through his chest before he could take a second step. He fell without a sound. A hole the size of Elias's wide arms in the middle of the exorcist body.
Another came. Then, two more.
Elias didn’t stop. He didn’t even hesitate.
He raised a hand, and a beam of searing radiance erupted forward, carving through them like paper.
I clutched the petals of light shielding me, trembling. I wanted to look away, but I couldn’t.
He was... beautiful.
Terrifying.
Holy?
I didn’t know what kind of power Elias was using. It didn’t look like any Magic I had ever seen. No circles, no incantations.
Just light. Just judgment.
The exorcists kept coming. From every shadowed hallway, from behind statues and confessionals. A blur of blades, curses, and panicked yells.
But Elias was faster. Always faster. No one here could compare.
He walked between them like a ghost, his body turning perfectly at the right moment.
A wave of his hand. A flash of gold. A limb severed. A dying scream cut short.
There was no glory in it, no showmanship.
I didn't know, but it felt like... Duty.
Then, from the far doorway, a white-haired exorcist emerged, half-naked, wild-eyed, foaming at the mouth with manic laughter. He threw holy water that hissed and steamed on the floor, swinging a bladed cross like a madman.
He shrieked a prayer to God, but it only made me feel disgust. God should not be asked that.
Elias didn’t stop walking.
The man rushed him with a scream, and Elias caught the cross mid-swing with his bare hand.
There was a pulse, almost like a heartbeat I felt in my head.
Then the madman fell, his chest caved in by a strike I hadn’t even seen.
The chapel fell quiet, save for the crackling embers still glowing on the floor. Smoke drifted toward the broken ceiling, and in the middle of it all stood Elias.
Silent.
Bathed in sunlight that filtered through a shattered window.
And surrounded by corpses.
“Do you plan to come out, Fallen?” Elias said neutrally, and my eyes widened.
It hadn’t been hard to realize it had all been a trap. That the kind people who had promised to care for me after I was cast out… were the monsters the Church had warned me about. Wolves in shepherd’s robes, like they said in my youth.\
They had smiled and prayed and offered warm beds, but there had never been salvation in their eyes.
Only Sin.
Elias stood tall, completely still, as if the gallons of blood coating the ruined floor and his body were nothing but water. I tried not to look, not to imagine how many people had once knelt here in prayer... how many of them were now part of the carnage staining the altar.
He didn’t look like the same man who’d guided me to this town.
No, this Elias was distant. Cold. A weapon in human skin.
Applause echoed across the Church.
Four figures emerged from the shadows of the far side, the heavy click of their boots disturbing the silence. They walked with confidence, though their eyes never strayed from Elias. One of them, a tall man with a cruel grin and a fedora spoke first.
“Magnificent,” he drawled, admiring the battlefield with a sneer. “You managed to destroy the entire group we painstakingly gathered. Tell me, boy… are you ready to go to war with the Grigori for your actions?”
Elias didn’t answer. He just snorted.
The magic around him thickened.
I felt it, even from behind the glowing barrier shielding me. The weight of it pushed at the air like a storm waiting to burst. The four fallen angels stiffened.
Even I could see the sweat forming on their brows.
The one in the fedora moved to speak again, but...
“You,” Elias said, eyes snapping to the only woman among them who was smiling like she enjoyed this.
I recognized her from the pictures I was secretly shown. She was beautiful, more than beautiful if I were to be honest, but the gleam in her violet eyes was wrong.
Twisted. Like she enjoyed the carnage around this Sacred place.
“Oh, you’re no fun,” she giggled, twirling a spear of light in her hand. “Look at you, all righteous and holy. I wonder... will your little pet nun cry when she sees what I’ll do to your body?”
She lunged. Black wings sprang from her back.
I screamed. That was a Fallen Angel.
But Elias didn’t move.
At least, not at first.
Raynare shot forward like a streak of lightning, too fast for me to follow.
Then, without a word, Elias lifted a single hand, and a beam of golden light fell down from the sky, opening a hole in the ceiling.
It didn’t explode. It didn’t flare.
It simply disintegrated her body like a lance of judgment.
She dissolved into shimmering dust before she could open her mouth.
“Raynare!” Kalawarner screamed, lunging at Elias with a light spear, only to be met with his hand slamming into her arm.
I heard the snap.
She fell to the floor, clutching the limb that was now bent backward at a sick angle, tears welling in her eyes.
“Monster!” she howled painfully, “What are you!?”
But Elias didn’t answer.
He turned his head just in time to see Mittelt rising into the air, trying to fly away, her single pair of wings flapping frantically. She was shouting something, but it was lost to the sound of Elias’s next spell.
A thread of sunlight, so thin it looked like silk, lashed through the air.
It didn’t explode. It didn’t slice.
It kissed her wing.
And then Mittelt screamed.
Feathers and blood rained from above as she plummeted, her cry shrill and pitiful as she hit the ground hard. She wasn’t dead. But she wouldn’t be flying anytime soon.
Only the fedora-wearing fallen remained.
He didn’t run. Didn’t move.
He just stared, wide-eyed, mouth agape.
“I surrender,” he said quickly, raising his hands. “Take me. I won’t resist.”
Elias stared at him for a long moment before nodding once, and letting the magic in the air simmer into nothingness.
I pressed a hand against the barrier, my heart thudding.
Elias was covered in blood that didn’t belong to him. His expression was unreadable. But when he turned toward me and began to lower the shield…
His eyes softened.
And he smiled.
Elias Black.
I took a deep breath and lowered Rho Aias, the shield that had been protecting the trembling nun. Asia’s wide eyes were filled with fear… and something else, sadness.
It made my chest ache with guilt.
I didn’t know what had come over me. It was the first time I’d taken a life, at least consciously, and the first time it had been a human. Yet I felt… nothing.
From the moment I stepped into the Church, I’d been consumed by a mix of wrath and confussion.
I didn’t know how or why it had taken hold of me, only that it had. A part of me felt tethered to this place like I was meant to be here. As if everything that had happened, or was happening, was somehow under my purview.
And what had I felt? What these stray exorcists and fallen had done? It sickened me more than anything the Death Eaters back home ever managed.
It wasn’t just evil... it was defilement. I felt defiled.
The rage I’d felt... it was difficult to explain. Righteous in a sense, and disturbingly familiar even if it shouldn't be.
It wasn’t unnatural, no, but it felt right.
I felt nothing for the ones I’d killed. No sorrow. No hesitation. The only thing that pained me was that Asia had to witness it.
She had such a pure soul… I felt drawn to her in a way I couldn’t quite explain.
“Don’t move an inch,” I warned the fallen sprawled across the floor in varying states of pain and shock.
Asia approached me slowly, her steps hesitant. She stopped a few meters away, and her eyes soft and unsure, met mine.
I gave her a sad smile.
“Sorry, you had to see that, Asia,” I said, trying to sound gentle, though the remnants of fury still colored my voice, “I don’t know what came over me.”
“You have no idea what you’ve done, bastard!” the blonde fallen shrieked from the floor, her wings twitching as she grimaced in agony, “We were sent here by Lord Azazel himself!”
“And I assure you,” I replied coolly, “I don’t care.”
I turned to take in the aftermath. Over twenty corpses lay scattered across the blood-stained floor. Crimson pools gathered near the altar. I had truly made a mess… and it was no wonder Asia was afraid.
With a sigh, I began to gather my magic. I turned my back on the fallen and met Asia’s gaze once more. She flinched at the pressure, but I offered a soft smile, just enough to show her I meant no harm.
Then I released it.
Aetherium poured out of me like a blooming sphere of light, expanding through the ruined chapel.
Wherever it touched, the air trembled and every defilement in this once-sacred place burned beneath it.
The corpses began to smoke, the blood boiled into nothingness, and the warped wood caught fire. Not a raging inferno like I wanted, but something cleaner, brighter. It wasn’t destruction, much to my shock. It was purification.
And yet… the living felt no pain. No heat. Only warmth.
Asia’s eyes widened, her lips parting as if in a silent prayer. She looked around in awe, her small hands clutched over her chest.
Even the fallen, bruised and bloodied, trembled where they lay. One of them was weeping with a silent cry.
The taint in the airlifted. The foul stench that had clung to the walls vanished. The crimson pools were gone, absorbed by the light. But the stone beneath remained. The Church itself was not destroyed, it was renewed.
The cracked walls healed. The broken pews righted themselves, their splinters fusing into smooth grain.
The crucifix above the altar, which had been shattered in half, reformed slowly until it stood tall once more.
Sunlight, golden and pure, streamed through the stained glass of the ceiling as if something approved of my actions.
When I opened my eyes, I staggered slightly, blinking in confusion.
I hadn’t meant for that to happen. I had simply wanted to erase the blood and cover the mess.
Instead… this.
I looked around at the holy site reborn, at the walls glowing with warmth, at the untouched altar, at the golden rays that poured down onto the cleaned floor, bright enough to make me close my eyes.
And then I saw her.
Asia was kneeling a few meters away, hands still clasped as tears streamed freely down her cheeks. Her eyes sparkled with something I couldn’t describe. Not just joy. Something deeper.
Hope.
She looked at me like I had just given her a miracle.
Something was happening to me… and I had an idea what was connected to it.
I shook my head firmly and made a beeline toward the fallen, a frown tugging at my lips, “Walk. We’re going outside. Don’t even think about running, I can promise you won’t get far.”
The male fallen wiped a hand across his face, but his expression remained unreadable. He moved ahead in silence, and before long, the other two followed behind him, dragging their feet.
“Come on, Asia,” I said with a gentle smile, offering her a hand to stand. “I need to explain this mess to Sona.”
“I would very much like to hear that explanation,” came a deadpan voice that made me freeze mid-step.
I turned my head stiffly, a smile plastered on my face, only for it to vanish the moment I saw Sona’s unimpressed frown.
She stood just outside the Church, arms crossed, tapping her foot with perfectly controlled irritation. Her peerage lingered farther behind, but right beside her stood her Queen, Tsubaki, whose eyes trembled slightly.
“Oh, hey, Sona,” I chuckled awkwardly. “I was just about to call you.”
“Really?” she deadpanned. “And what exactly were you going to say, Elias? Does Hermione know you’re even here? Aren’t you supposed to be helping Rias prepare for her Rating Game?”
“Yeah… about that,” I sighed, scratching my neck. “I came into town for food, wandered a bit, and... well, I ran into Asia.”
I gestured toward the blonde, who gave a small, nervous wave.
“I knew where the Church was, so I offered to walk her there. Didn’t expect it to be full of exorcists and, uh, four fallen angels.”
“Four?” Tsubaki gasped, eyes snapping toward the three sitting on the ground.
“Yeah… one of them attacked me. She won’t be a problem anymore,” I said with a shrug.
“For Lucifer’s sake, Elias,” Sona muttered, dragging a hand down her face. “Do you even realize the mess you’ve made? And that’s not even addressing the overwhelming Holy presence this Church is giving off right now…”
She stepped forward slightly, eyes narrowing as she gazed past me toward the restored altar.
“You won’t be able to keep a low profile after this,” she continued, her voice serious. “Something like this needs to be reported to my sister. Thankfully, you left some of them alive... we’ll interrogate them. But Serafall will definitely want answers. And I doubt she’ll be satisfied with a vague summary.”
“You know where to find me,” I replied with a nonchalant wave. “This doesn’t affect my deal with Rias. And let’s be honest, I didn’t do anything wrong. These exorcists were armed to the teeth, and I doubt they had good intentions for you or Rias. If anything, I saved you a headache.”
Sona exhaled through her nose and nodded reluctantly. “There have been reports of civilians contracted to us being harassed lately… and I think we both know who was behind that. I suppose my sister will extract everything they know before sending them back to the Grigori. After yelling at their Governor, of course. Still, let’s hope this doesn’t reignite the Cold War.”
“Will you handle this lot, then?” I asked, nodding toward the three fallen. “I should probably head back to Rias, and I think I’ll take Asia with me for now. I doubt she had a backup plan if this hadn’t worked out.”
“Eh?” Asia squeaked with wide eyes. I chuckled and gently patted her head.
“Yeah, don’t worry about anything, Asia,” I said with a soft smile. “I’m sure the girls will love you.”
She nodded timidly, and I gave her a bright grin. “You can stay with us while you figure things out. And if you’d rather stay… well, it’s not like I’m hurting for money. I’d be more than happy to take care of you.”
Sona let out a deep sigh, her expression turning decidedly exasperated.
“Just go before I make you write a report,” she scowled, muttering under her breath, “Rias owes me big time for cleaning up this shit.”
“Heh,” I laughed. “You kiss your mother with that mouth? I’ll be sure to tell Rias about this.”
Sona’s ears turned a noticeable shade of red. She cleared her throat and coughed into her fist while Tsubaki grinned openly, only to hastily hide it when Sona shot her a glare.
“Get out of here,” Sona muttered, waving me off.
I gave a nod, my smile gentler this time. “Text me if you need anything, seriously. I owe you for this. I really don’t want Mione’s magical bestie pissed at me.”
Then I let out a sharp whistle, and in a flash of fire, Ash appeared. I took Asia’s hand, and in a blink, we vanished from the spot.
Fudge PoV
Cornelius Fudge beamed with the confidence of a man who believed history would remember him kindly. It was all working out for him.
Not a single proof that Voldemort was back, and it would be easy to make the rumors disappear... he was just waiting for the right moment.
“My people!” he announced, puffing his chest as cameras flashed and quills danced in the air, “let us welcome the newest recipient of the Order of Merlin, Third Class! Alaric Macmillan!”
His voice echoed through the gleaming atrium of the Ministry, bouncing off golden chandeliers and enchanted glass.
Behind him, standing tall and smiling modestly, was a man draped in dark blue robes with a polished golden insignia now gleaming on his chest.
The applause came on cue.
Some of it was charmed, of course, a little enchantment to keep the mood bright. Just enough to tip things in his favor.
Fudge turned and gave the man a hearty clap on the back, leaning in with a grin. “You’ve done us proud, lad. Just what the country needs these days... stability. A good face for the public if I say so myself.”
He stepped aside with theatrical flair as the man approached the podium, his steps measured, his posture impeccable. What a charming young lad. And much better than that vile Black.
“Thank you, Minister,” the man said with a calm, clear voice that carried easily through the crowd. “It is my honor to return to this country... to the land of my family, and to offer my strength in these uncertain times.”
Applause again, more genuine this time. The man’s smile was practiced but not fake. His voice was soft, but every word landed with weight.
“When my family was in danger, I acted as any man should. I do not seek reward, but I humbly accept this recognition. Not for myself, but as a promise to all of you… that I will not stand idle while chaos stirs in the shadows.”
People ate it up. Wide eyes, eager nods. Even the press seemed charmed, their quills recording every word with gusto.
Fudge stood off to the side, hands clasped smugly in front of him. Yes… this is how we win the public back.
Then, a throat cleared.
Fudge blinked as the applause began to die.
Madam Amelia Bones stepped up to the second podium, her expression unreadable. She looked out over the crowd without smiling.
“The trial of Sirius Black,” she said, her voice cutting clean through the noise, “will take place tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. sharp in Courtroom Ten.”
“No press will be allowed inside. The results, however, will be made public immediately after.”
She gave Fudge a thin nod and stepped back without another word. Before she left, she stopped, sighed, and gave a respectful nod at Alaric.
“Congratulations, young man. Britain needs more people like you.” She said simply, but her eyes betrayed her. She was happy for him.
Fudge's smile twitched at the edges, but he clapped politely.
The man beside him only watched Madam Bones with a warm smile, before he returned a nod, "It is my honor, Madam Bones."
Comments
InfinityReads99
Hahaha Yeah, Elias will subvert expectations… a lot. It’s not exactly what you said, but pretty close for it not to matter that much. His nature is… coming out? You could say it like that, and he knows something is happening to him, and thus chapter he finally got a cue in what should be the main reason, but his changes are still not done. I still have 1 more scene like this planned for the end of this arc, before he finally becomes what he is meant to be. I even made some ai images for that, but yall have to wait.
InfinityReads99
It’s not like that. It was a knee jerk reaction thanks to their opposite natures. Rias likes Elias, a lot, a she considers him a good friend, hell, all of them. And that’s the kicker, Elias energy and presence should bother her even more, but even subconsciously, he wouldn’t harm a friend. She just needs more time to get used to it. Elias, thanks to all his perks, is a weapon made specifically to destroy any evil aligned supernatural being, and rias can feel it. It’s no wonder she reacted this way the first time she saw it.
Ole Martin Johnsen
Is it really wise to consider being reincarnated by the person who is afraid of their boyfriend? I feel like that might create a crack in the relationship since they have to consider her their master and have to obey her unless becoming Stray devils
Bishop7053
Considering, as far as the System is concerned, hes basically the reincarnation of god/Jesus, not surprised he was furious at the desecration of a church. Though i will laugh at Michael and the other archangels reaction when they meet him and if hes balls deep in rias at the time. Big G reincarnation in a relationship with Lucifers little sister. The mind fucking will be Legendary
