After finalizing the terms of the transaction, Kaiser didn't linger. He turned around and left without the slightest hesitation.
Azazel, Sirzechs, and Michael watched Kaiser leave, not taking any further action until his figure disappeared from sight.
"Say, is it really okay to just let him go like that?" Azazel suddenly broke the silence. "If we captured him instead, we wouldn't even need to negotiate—we could find a way to get intel on the Khaos Brigade that way, right?"
Azazel actually suggested such an idea, clearly not with good intentions.
"You were the one who negotiated with him. If you didn't make a move, how could we possibly do so?"
Sirzechs wasn't about to fall for Azazel's bait and responded with a smile.
"His nature isn't evil. I don't think using force against him is fair."
Michael had always believed that the Church—and by extension, himself—bore some responsibility for Kaiser joining the Khaos Brigade. Thus, he would never raise his hand against him.
Azazel naturally understood their thoughts, but still deliberately made such a remark, wearing a teasing grin.
"Michael being a bleeding heart is one thing, but Sirzechs, you actually have a legitimate reason to make a move. So why turn a blind eye?"
As far as he knew, Kaiser's killing of the Astaroth family's successor had caused a huge stir in the Underworld. Many pure-blood Devil families had stood up, demanding vengeance.
Especially the Astaroth family—their intention to hunt down Kaiser was strong, and they'd stirred up quite a commotion.
Under such circumstances, Sirzechs, as a Maou, had every reason to act against Kaiser.
"What about you?" Sirzechs countered instead. "He destroyed one of your Stray Exorcist groups and even killed several Fallen Angels. Don't you have a legitimate reason to go after him too?"
"About that, I have something I need to ask you, Azazel." Michael suddenly interjected, his face serious as he looked at Azazel. "I heard that the incident was caused by a lower-ranked Fallen Angel who admired you and tried to use Asia Argento as a sacrifice to steal her Sacred Gear. Is that true?"
Clearly, Heaven had already investigated and learned the reason why Kaiser had attacked Raynare.
"It's true." Azazel didn't hide it and admitted bluntly. "The girl confessed. Since she's already been punished, I didn't do anything further. I just sent her back to the Underworld and had her put in solitary confinement for a while."
"And what about Asia Argento?" Michael pressed on, unwilling to let the matter go. "That child is a victim."
"She wasn't harmed, was she?" Azazel looked at Michael with a sarcastic expression. "Besides, if we're talking about victims, don't you think she suffered more from your side?"
"I've met that child too. She's very pure. That holy aura around her made it clear to me that her faith is incredibly strong. Even now, she probably still worships our God."
"And yet, because she healed a Devil—which is such a foolish reason—you labeled her a heretic witch and expelled her from the Church. That's what led to her being targeted by people on our side."
"If you want to seek justice for that child, maybe you should reflect on yourselves first instead of coming to me."
Azazel's words rendered Michael speechless.
Guilt once more surfaced in his eyes, and he looked downcast.
Seeing Michael like that, Azazel suddenly felt a twinge of guilt himself.
He knew this wasn't really Michael's fault.
Michael had worked hard to manage Heaven and the Angels.
But alas, he wasn't God. He couldn't constantly watch over the world and grant blessings and guidance to every believer.
The Church indeed had many problems, but those shouldn't be blamed on Michael.
God was no longer present. Michael was just an Angel—he truly couldn't manage both Heaven and the human world at once.
Just as Azazel was wondering if he should apologize, Sirzechs suddenly spoke up.
"Actually, the Astaroth family incident can also be traced back to Asia Argento."
Sirzechs' words startled both Azazel and Michael.
"What do you mean by that?"
Azazel asked in confusion.
"Our people, through Rias and her peerage, have already investigated the matter."
Sirzechs then fully revealed everything Diodora had done, holding nothing back.
"…So that Astaroth punk deliberately injured himself to get close to Asia Argento, leading to her being labeled a witch and expelled from the Church. That's what made her a target for our people?"
Azazel's mouth twitched. He almost wanted to pull out a Light Spear and fight Sirzechs right then and there.
If Azazel reacted that way, Michael's expression became even more dreadful.
Because Diodora didn't just covet Asia.
What happened with Asia hadn't even come to fruition yet. Before her, numerous nuns and Saints had already fallen victim to him, turned into his playthings.
Knowing this, how could Michael not look horrified?
If not for his gentle nature and pursuit of peace, even he would've pulled out a Light Spear and gone at it with Sirzechs.
"I know. The root of the problem lies with us."
Feeling the overwhelming Aura from both Azazel and Michael, Sirzechs gave a bitter smile.
"After I found out about this, I personally went to talk with Ajuka. He agreed to take responsibility for the matter. Regarding the Astaroth family, he will handle them and make sure they don't act recklessly."
Ajuka Beelzebub—one of the current Four Maou, formerly of the Astaroth family, and the blood relative Diodora had mentioned before his death.
He came from a branch of the Astaroth family and was Sirzechs' close friend. He was also the top technical advisor in the Underworld, the architect of the Rating Game's foundational theory, and the creator of the Evil Piece System that enabled the reincarnation of other races into Devils. His skill in formulas and systems was exceptional.
His power was nearly equal to Sirzechs. Though a current Maou, he had long surpassed the bounds of both Maou and Devil. He had once raised the banner of rebellion alongside Sirzechs against the bloodlines of the Old Satan Faction, and personally killed the daughter of the original Leviathan.
Though a blood relative of Diodora, his connection to the Astaroth family wasn't as close as outsiders assumed due to his branch lineage. He merely maintained limited contact.
Compared to his ties to the main family, his friendship with Sirzechs mattered far more to him.
Therefore, once Sirzechs explained the full situation to him, Ajuka immediately promised to personally handle the matter and keep the Astaroth family in check.
In other words…
"Even though he killed the Astaroth family's successor, we've already decided not to pursue the matter."
Sirzechs informed Azazel and Michael of this and explained why he had no intention of acting against Kaiser.
"So, apart from the fact that he's a Khaos Brigade member, we have no reason to hold him accountable for his past actions?"
Azazel let out a wry laugh.
Whether it was the incident with Raynare or with Diodora, Kaiser had acted for justified reasons.
That being the case, aside from his affiliation with the Khaos Brigade, none of them really had a reason to go after him.
"Even his joining the Khaos Brigade needs to be re-evaluated," Michael added, still speaking in Kaiser's defense. "He clearly operates alone and hasn't aligned himself with the terrorists in the Khaos Brigade. The fact that he so readily disclosed their intel proves he isn't truly on their side."
"Perhaps he revealed those threats to us on purpose—to warn us."
Michael had completely taken to viewing Kaiser as a good child.
"That's also what I think." Sirzechs nodded in agreement. "My little sister held quite a grudge against him, but after learning about what he did for her peerage and for Asia Argento, her opinion of him seems to have changed."
"Well, that's also why I felt confident making a deal with him." Azazel shrugged and said, "The spear in his hand emits a pure radiance that even past Holy Spear users couldn't match. Someone who can generate that kind of light could never walk the same path as the Khaos Brigade scum."
"It's a light that brings peace to the heart and stirs nostalgia," Michael said kindly, smiling. "That child may have already grasped the true essence of the Holy Spear. If he is someone recognized by the Lord, he might even become the next Saint."
"Oh, give me a break. That kid will never be some 'Saint'-type." Azazel burst into laughter. "If anything, he'd probably get along great with the rowdy kids on our side—they're all battle junkies, all a little crazy."
"If that's how it is, I think he and Rias have a good relationship too," Sirzechs chimed in, unwilling to be outdone. "Maybe all they need is a trigger, and they'll come to understand each other."
Somehow, the leaders of the three factions had developed a strange sense of rivalry, competing with one another, completely breaking the previously serious atmosphere.
While bantering with his old rivals, Azazel looked once more in the direction Kaiser had left, a meaningful expression on his face.
"What's going to happen next, I wonder?"
To be honest, Azazel was looking forward to it.
He was curious what kind of effect his research would have in the hands of someone like that.
Just thinking about it made it all the more interesting.