The news of Asia Argento's potential danger hit Ren Takakura with the force of a physical blow. Kiba Yuuto's grim report about Fallen Angel activity at the old church, the mention of a ritual, and the ominous name "Twilight Healing" painted a terrifying picture. Ren remembered Asia's innocent face, her gentle kindness, her naive trust in the "kind people" who had taken her in at that cursed place. He felt a surge of cold anger, quickly followed by a wave of desperate urgency.
"We have to do something!" Ren exclaimed, his voice tight with emotion, startling the usually composed members of the Occult Research Club. "She's in danger! Those… Fallen Angels… they're going to hurt her!"
Rias Gremory looked at him, her expression serious, her blue-green eyes thoughtful. "Your concern for this girl, this Asia Argento… it is quite strong, Takakura-kun. You've only just met her, have you not?"
"Yes, but…" Ren struggled to articulate the depth of his feeling. "She's… good. Pure. She doesn't deserve to be caught up in whatever monstrous plans those Fallen Angels have." He thought of his own powerlessness in his past life, his inability to prevent his own death. That feeling of helpless rage was resurfacing, but this time, it was directed outwards, a desperate need to protect someone else from a cruel fate.
"The Fallen Angels are indeed a concern," Rias conceded. "Especially if they are attempting to extract a powerful Sacred Gear like Twilight Healing within Gremory territory. That is a direct affront, and a potential threat to the balance we strive to maintain."
"So, you'll help her?" Ren pressed, a sliver of hope igniting within him.
Akeno Himejima sighed, her playful smile replaced by a more somber expression. "It's not quite that simple, Takakura-kun. Intervening directly with a group of Fallen Angels, especially if they are operating under orders from one of their leaders, carries significant risks. It could escalate into a much larger conflict."
Kiba nodded in agreement. "They are likely well-prepared and heavily guarded if they are attempting something as audacious as a Sacred Gear extraction ritual."
Koneko Toujou, who had been silently observing, finally spoke, her voice small but firm. "They're bad news. And that church… it feels wrong."
Ren looked from one to another, his hope beginning to dwindle. They were Devils, powerful beings, but even they seemed hesitant. What could he possibly do on his own? His Flames were unreliable, his combat skills rudimentary at best. Reborn's training was brutal, but it was a slow, agonizing process. Asia didn't have that kind of time.
He thought of trying to warn Asia directly. But how? And would she even believe him? She seemed so trusting, so naive. Her "kind benefactors" at the church had likely already filled her head with lies.
A sense of desperation began to creep into Ren. He felt that same familiar helplessness he'd experienced in the alleyway with Kosaki, that same overwhelming urge to protect, but without the immediate, explosive surge of power that had saved them then. This was different. This required more than just raw, uncontrolled emotion. It required planning, strength, allies.
Reborn's voice, as always, chose that moment to intrude into his thoughts, a cool, detached commentary. "A classic dilemma, Dame-Ren. The desire to act versus the limitations of your current abilities. A true Sky must not only possess power but also the wisdom to gather and inspire allies. Rushing in blindly will only get you, and this nun, killed. What will you do, future Vongola boss? How will you protect what you deem precious?"
Reborn was right, damn him. Ren couldn't do this alone. He needed help. Powerful help. And the only people he knew who might possess that kind of power, who might have a reason to intervene, were sitting right here in this room.
He took a deep breath, steeling his resolve. He looked directly at Rias Gremory, his gaze unwavering. The time for hesitation, for weighing the risks to himself, was over. Asia's life was on the line.
"Gremory-senpai," Ren said, his voice surprisingly steady, imbued with a conviction he hadn't known he possessed. "You offered me guidance, protection, an alliance. You said our interests align if I choose to make Kuoh Town my home and protect it. Well, Asia Argento is in this town. She's innocent. And she's in danger from forces that threaten your territory as much as they threaten her."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "I don't know much about this hidden world. I don't know much about being a Devil, or an Angel, or a Fallen Angel. But I know that what they're planning to do to her is wrong. And I can't stand by and do nothing." He clenched his fists. "I'm asking for your help. Not just as Ren Takakura, the weird kid with fire powers. But as someone who wants to protect an innocent person in this town. Will you help me save Asia Argento?"
His plea hung in the air, heartfelt and desperate. He had laid his cards on the table, appealing not just to their power, but to their sense of responsibility, their stated duty to protect their territory. He had swallowed his fear, his pride, his reluctance to become further entangled in their world. Now, all he could do was wait, and hope that his words, his raw sincerity, had been enough. The fate of Asia Argento, and perhaps his own future in this strange new world, rested on their answer.