He offers no trouble regarding Asia, and Issei takes the deal.

"If you spare my subordinate, I won't pursue the issue of Asia any further than my subordinates did," Azazel offered Issei, who blinked in surprise.

"... that's... Generous," Issei said slowly. "You'll just hand her over?"

Azazel shrugged. "We don't own her, she's free to go where she pleases, aside from the political issues, but I can smooth those over easily. She'll either return to us, or she won't, but either way, I can promise no issues over it. And should she return, she'll have different, more considerate handlers. Though that's not exactly a high bar," he admitted, giving Raynare a look.

"Aren't her healing abilities valuable to you though?" Issei asked. Azazel shrugged.

"Yes, but not to the point it's worth causing too much fuss over, especially if she is unwilling to return to us after the treatment she received," Azazel replied. "Besides, I do kind of owe you an apology..."

"...for what?" Issei blinked.

"Isn't it obvious? While Raynare's actions against your Peerage were unsanctioned, that only means the Peerage. What happened before you joined the Devil Faction was in fact green lit by me. It wasn't personal," Azazel admitted. "Just because we're at a truce, doesn't mean we want a Sacred Gear as powerful as yours ending up in Devil hands. And you hanging out so close to a new, but prominent Peerage was cause for concern. Ironic that our preemptive measure ended up putting you in that faction," Azazel said sheepishly.

Issei wanted to be mad about that, but honestly, he didn't exactly have complaints about how things turned out. "...fine, you have a deal," Issei agreed, letting go of Raynare.

"Excellent!" Azazel nodded, landing to grab Raynare. "It's a breath of fresh air to see someone open to reason instead of someone all gung ho and ready to choose ****." He put Raynare over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes as she groaned. "But before I go, may I ask a question?" he added, pausing mid turn.

Issei froze and considered it for a moment.