I never imagined a Demon King's questioning could feel so... human. Sirzechs didn't yell at me, and his threat was so... mild.
And the worst part is, I have no idea how this is going to affect me.
His doubt that I might be a traitor is understandable, but at the same time, what other option did I have when I ran into the leader of the fallen?
Fight? Impossible, he'd turn me into dust.
My only route was to play along, and yet this guy dares to treat me like someone dangerous, what a jerk.
I was on my morning jog, though I took a little longer. I just needed to clear my head a little more.
It was then I saw her, a blonde girl with a smile so pure she seemed out of place in this city plagued by supernatural filth.
Oh, right, I have to run into her.
I'll pretend I didn't see her.
*THUD*
I "accidentally" bumped into Asia, who fell to the ground in front of... well, me.
Quickly, I acted surprised and concerned about her condition, helping her pick up her things.
—I'm really sorry, I didn't see you
I said, while casually not letting her veil get blown away by the wind.
—I'm Hyodo Issei, by the way.
I said, extending my hand to her.
—N-Nice to meet you, I'm Asia Argento.
She said, probably in Italian if I'm not mistaken, taking my hand and shaking it a little.
—Oh, you're a foreigner.
I said casually, while looking at her clothes.
—You're dressed as a nun, so I guess you come to the church in this town.
I remarked, as if she had easily deduced it.
She's clearly lost, and it's not difficult for me to simply approach her and go to that church.
I kill whoever's there and devour them with Twice Critical to assimilate them into the gear, easy as that.
I've already fused this thing with my new shotgun, so I'm no longer lacking in attack power at all.
—Y-Yeah, even though I'm a bit lost, the streets of this town are like a maze...
I heard Asia's voice, snapping me out of my trance.
—Hm, I understand. It makes sense since you're walking exactly opposite where you should be.
I said, pointing behind her, where in the distance, a church could be seen.
—That's what you're looking for, isn't it?
The blonde turned, her eyes brightening as she noticed the church.
—Yes, that's it! Thank you very much, Issei. I was really in a bind.
She took my hand
They're quite small. I wonder how big they are compared to—
—It's nothing, but still, would you mind if I walked with you? I don't think it's right for a woman to just walk the streets alone. It's dangerous, after all.
Asia flashed me a smile; I can almost feel the glucose rising in my blood.
—It wouldn't be a bother, but are you sure you don't have anything else to do? I'd hate for you to waste your time helping me.
—It's okay. It's my duty to escort you until we arrive at your destination.
I'll try to be chivalrous, so maybe the crush will hit her harder—
Wait a second, why am I planning how to make her fall in love with you easily?
I'm interested in power, not women.
Uh, well
I'd say it's more like 50/50, but it's still rare for my mind to wander to these things... Meh, it's probably just because she's so damn cute.
I wouldn't mind having her in my be-
.
.
.
As we walked toward the church, Asia broke the silence.
—Um... Issei, do you always do this?
She asked, looking at me curiously.
—What?
—Helping strangers find churches.
She said with a soft chuckle.
—Only if they look equally lost and dressed like something out of a Vatican movie.
I smiled somewhat sarcastically, though not enough to make her uncomfortable.
Asia laughed a little shyly. Her laughter seemed out of this world. Or at least, not the one I've been used to lately.
—Any reason for your question?"
—Well... I'm not used to people being so nice with me. In the church where I grew up, most... kept their distance. They said I was special, but it never felt like a good thing.
Asia's response struck me as curious, so I didn't bother to delve deeper.
—Special? Why?
—Because of this.
She raises her hands toward me, looking at them with a certain melancholy, then looks back ahead.
—They say I can heal with them. That God gave me that gift... although sometimes it makes me feel more like an instrument than a person.
I pause for a second. Not because I'm surprised, but because it pisses me off that she says that so casually. As if it's okay to be used. As if I don't deserve something more.
—You shouldn't let others decide your worth just because you have something they don't understand.
—You think so?
She said in a low tone, as if she wasn't expecting a real answer.
—Of course.
I sighed, fleeting thoughts of my plan running through my mind.
The consequences are clear, yet the reward is juicy.
The Twice Critical throbbed in my hand as if it had a pulse of its own.
I just had to accompany her, locate the objetive, and... exterminate them.
It's that simple.
But seeing her walk ahead, grateful, smiling as if I were something more than a wolf in sheep's clothing...
Damn. This isn't going to be that simple.
*BEEEP!!*
The sound of a horn snapped me out of my trance; a car passed very close to the curb, and reflexively, I extended my arm in front of her.
—Careful.
I said, while looking with some annoyance at the car disappearing over the horizon.
It wasn't necessary; I wasn't in danger... but Asia looked at me as if I had saved her life.
—Thank you, Issei.
I just nodded.
I didn't even know how to respond.
It's like, a little too pure by the standards of my current life.
Damn, I've already killed so many "people"
If that's what you can call stray demons.
Fuck...
I came back to myself, remembering I should answer Asia and, just in case, ask if she's okay.
—You don't have to thank me —I replied, almost automatically, but without taking my eyes off the intersection.
—Your aura is warm —she said, out of nowhere.
—Aura?
My voice was barely audible.
—Yeah, like a feeling. It's weird. When you're around, I feel... peace.
She put a hand to her chest and smiled.
—It's not what I'd expect to feel from someone on the other side.
Ah. There it was. That pang. The reminder of what I am... or what I'm supposed to be.
—Maybe I'm an anomaly —I said, looking away.
—I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Sometimes anomalies change the world.
She said it so calmly it hurt.
Why the hell do those words have so much to do with my current situation? That's so fucking weird.
She kept talking, oblivious to my discomfort.
—When I came to Japan, I prayed every day that I wouldn't be alone. I thought no one would help me, and then... I stumbled upon you.
—Literally —I said with a smile
She laughed again, with a light of pure innocence.
What if I corrupt her by letting her into that place?
The church was already visible in the background. Its old silhouette, probably deformed by the people who live there.
The bell tower was a few steps away. I could feel the aura of the fallen from here.
She didn't notice, even though she knew of their presence. Sometimes, I wonder if it's worth saving someone who doesn't even know they're damned.
-----------------------------------------------
<12:56 AM, Hyodo Residence>
Several hours have passed, and I only got home 20 minutes ago. I've been out all day, and now I'm in the shower.
Steam filled the bathroom as the water ran over my body, so hot it almost hurt... and it still wasn't enough to cleanse the feeling the nun left in me.
Asia Argento
A name that sounded normal, and in my case, it only brought me internal war.
I got used to seeing everyone as pieces. Chips on a board where I didn't ask to play, but here I am... and I plan to win.
But she...
She smiled at me as if I really mattered.
Damn.
It shouldn't affect me.
And yet... there I was, thinking about his words. About his hands, about his faith.
What will she do when she has to watch me kill Raynare in that ritual?
I closed my eyes. The Twice Critical reacted again, latent. As if it were thinking about her too.
I can't afford to be weak. Not now. Not when I'm so close.
But I'm getting tired of pretending I don't feel anything.