Chapter 143: He Crawled Out of the Holy Coffin
Even Asia, who wasn't the best at reading the atmosphere, could sense that the situation had taken another dangerous turn.
People surrounded them from all sides, poised for battle at any moment.
"Relax. We aren't necessarily enemies."
Faced with this situation, Renji remained remarkably composed.
"Whether they're enemies or not is hard to say. Coming straight into my territory and killing a fallen angel like this could cause quite a bit of trouble," Rias said with a smile, though her guard remained up.
"Oh? Your territory, is it? Has the human world fallen so far as to be under devil jurisdiction now? Have humans lost their autonomy over this world? So if I commit a crime, it won't be human law punishing me, but devils instead?"
This teasing remark instantly brought the tension in the air to its peak.
"We don't interfere with ordinary human affairs. But reckless individuals like you could accidentally drag this city into conflicts between various factions, which would bring calamity upon its human inhabitants," Rias responded coldly.
"Is that so? If that's truly the case, then I apologize for my thoughtless actions."
The man actually bowed in sincere apology, his tone carrying no trace of falsehood.
"Very well. I accept your apology."
Rias's icy expression softened slightly.
Both sides appeared to have reached mutual understanding and goodwill, though whether they'd truly let their guard down internally was another matter.
Fortunately, today's incident had only claimed one victim—a student from her school.
Come to think of it, she had sensed his summoning at the time. But with the sudden magical outburst demanding her immediate attention, she hadn't responded.
Meanwhile, in the Occult Research Club room at school...
"Now for proper introductions. The gentleman standing to the right—Yuuto Kiba, our Knight. To the left—Koneko Toujou, our Rook. And this is Akeno Himejima—our Queen."
Rias made no attempt to hide their chess piece designations—such information could easily be investigated or probed anyway. She simply avoided disclosing their specific abilities.
"And as your host, I am Rias Gremory of the Gremory devil clan."
Having completed the introductions, Rias smiled at the two visitors.
"I-I'm Asia Argento... a nun~"
Asia's voice grew faint and shaky as she uttered the word "nun," feeling unworthy of the title.
"Renji."
The man sipped the offered black tea and gave this simple reply, naturally earning dissatisfied looks from across the table.
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"Very well."
Rias sighed in resignation.
"Oh, President, I forgot to show you these documents earlier."
As Akeno handed over a file folder, its poorly sealed bottom gave way, scattering documents across the floor. Among them, one photograph landed right before the two guests.
"Ah—"
Asia gasped in surprise, but when Renji shot her an unnervingly calm glance, she immediately fell silent. He'd taught her that maintaining composure—not reacting dramatically to everything—was the first defense against deception.
"Hmm? Does Miss Asia recognize this photograph?"
"N-no."
The nun shook her head in denial, but her exaggerated reaction gave Rias and Akeno the answer they were looking for.
This suggested that these two might indeed have been involved in the near-destruction of the holy relic.
"Ara~, Miss Asia, you really don't recognize it? Logically speaking, you should know it," Akeno asked with playful interest.
But this time, the nun bit her lip and remained silent, realizing her earlier unsteady reaction had given them the answer.
So, Asia secretly glanced at Renji beside her. Though his gaze seemed calm, she felt even more pressure.
"Does Mr. Renji recognize it too?"
"No."
"Is that so? Good. This thing is connected to the Church, and it could lead to troublesome matters," Rias added with amusement, noticing the nun's barely suppressed agitation and the way she kept glancing at him worriedly.
So, this thing was indeed related to him.
However, Rias stopped there and didn't press further. Pushing too much might uncover his secrets, and that could truly lead to a falling out.
Before long, it was late at night, and the two were helped to settle into a nearby inn.
One person who should have been sleeping suddenly opened his eyes, looking toward the window just in time to catch a fleeting shadow disappearing outside.
Without hesitation, Renji first checked on the foolish nun next door—she was fine, still asleep.
Then, he smirked. He knew their objective.
Well, he might as well indulge them. He gave chase.
Less than three minutes after he vanished, a magic circle suddenly appeared in the room, bearing the crest of Gremory.
The magic circle flared brightly, and from it emerged a girl with blood-red hair swaying behind her—Rias.
She had sent Akeno to lure him away from the inn. Though it seemed to have gone smoothly—almost too smoothly—she could confirm he had indeed pursued Akeno.
Now, she would use this time to extract the truth from the nun.
Without hesitation, she exerted her power, causing the sleeping nun to open her eyes, which now seemed hollow.
"Asia Argento, have you seen the object in this photo with your own eyes?"
"Yes."
"Do you know what this is?"
"No."
No?
But earlier, she had clearly been shaken—she couldn't possibly not know.
Had that guy cast some spell on her, or had he erased her memories?
"This is the Holy Coffin!"
At these words, the hypnotized nun's expression twisted in shock.
What was this reaction?
Suddenly, Rias understood.
The nun knew about this object—she might have seen it firsthand—but she didn't recognize its transformed state. So when asked what it was, she naturally answered "no."
But upon being told, she was deeply shaken.
Then, her hollow eyes began to clear.
Was she resisting the question, trying to wake up? That guy must have placed some kind of spell on her to prevent her from answering.
But the result—
"H-how could this be the Holy Coffin? If this is the Holy Coffin... then why did Mr. Renji come out of it?"
She shook her head slightly, murmuring in disbelief.
His reaction didn't seem like resistance leading to clarity, but more like an emotional shock from realizing it was the Holy Coffin that jolted him awake.
However, Rias's pupils violently contracted at these words, her brain momentarily overwhelmed by the sheer weight of the information.
Climbed out of this Holy Coffin?
Suddenly, her expression changed drastically. If it really was that person, then Akeno might be in danger.
She now regretted asking that question!