"Um... excuse me, do you know where the church in this town is?"
In Kuoh Town, Asia, the blonde nun, was asking passersby for information regarding the church.
However, Asia's Japanese wasn't very good, and so far, she hadn't been able to find out where the church was located.
More than the language barrier, what made things difficult for Asia was that her stomach was growling loudly.
"It's so hard... This must be a trial given to me by the Lord. Oh Lord..."
Asia prayed, wanting to forget the trouble of her empty stomach.
"The Lord won't give you food, you know."
Rias spoke up.
"Uh... who are you?"
Asia looked at Rias in surprise, her breathing becoming rapid and her manner somewhat stiff.
She was too beautiful.
Moreover, that aura of a high-ranking person, her confident and imposing appearance, made Asia subconsciously feel nervous.
It wasn't an inferiority complex, because it was hard for anyone to feel inferior when facing Rias.
That natural, heavenly disposition was reminiscent of the sun.
Tell me, who would feel inferior to the sun?
It was just basic nervousness, which was still present.
"My name is Rias Gremory," Rias said.
"I am Asia Argento. Nice to meet you."
Asia bowed hurriedly and flusteredly.
"Want to find a place to get something to eat? I can see you're hungry."
Rias said.
"But... I don't have any money left on me."
Asia said with difficulty.
"It's my treat."
Rias said with a smile.
"That is so kind of you. The Lord will surely bless you. Amen."
Asia devoutly made the sign of the cross and prayed.
The prayer of a believer is transmitted to the system in the Heavenly Realm, and then the system bestows a blessing.
It was a miniscule blessing, one that would give an ordinary devil a headache.
While not a major problem, it was like a sudden buzzing sensation in the head.
However, it was clear that such a weak blessing couldn't even get near her skin.
It dissipated before it could even touch her, not to mention that Rias had the identity of the new God of the Bible.
"Let's go."
With Rias leading the way, they arrived at a small restaurant.
Rias also did the ordering; after all, Asia couldn't read Japanese, so Rias had to do it.
"Thank you again for your help, Miss Rias."
Asia said gratefully.
She hadn't considered for a moment that Rias might have any ill intentions toward her.
Asia was simply too pure and too kind.
Pure, kind, and simple—all to an extreme. She could fully be called a'Saint'.
"It's nothing."
Rias said nonchalantly.
"By the way, are you here on vacation, Asia?"
While waiting for the food to be served, Rias looked for a topic of conversation.
Seeing Asia wearing a nun's habit, it was fairly obvious she was here for an assignment.
So Rias was just saying it to start a conversation.
"No, it's not a trip. Actually, I was assigned to the church in this town today... You live in this town too, don't you? Please take care of me from now on."
Asia bowed slightly.
One wondered where she got her bowing habit from.
Being overly concerned with such minor formalities could make people feel distant.
At least, Rias didn't like it very much.
"But I ran into trouble as soon as I arrived because I can't speak Japanese very well... then I got hungry and lost my way... even when I tried to ask, no one on the street could understand what I was saying, which wasted a lot of time. Since my money ran out, I couldn't eat."
"It's all thanks to Miss Rias, otherwise I'd still be hungry right now."
Asia expressed her gratitude once more.
In the original story, the protagonist could talk easily with Asia, and Asia could eventually converse normally with others because of the power inherent to devils.
From the moment one becomes a devil, everyone in the world can understand what you say. People who hear your voice will automatically translate your words into their most familiar language. A Chinese person will hear Chinese, an American will hear English, and a Spaniard will hear Spanish.
Conversely, the languages you hear are also automatically converted into the language you are most familiar with.
This was a racial talent.
"A church assignment, I see."
Rias rested her chin on her hand and said, "There's a problem with the church in Kuoh Town. The church personnel there did something bad over ten years ago and have already withdrawn from the Kuoh Town area."
"The ones occupying the church now are no longer church personnel, but a base for Fallen Angels and Stray Priests."
"Eh?!" Hearing this, Asia was stunned for a moment, then cried out in surprise.
"The church was taken by Fallen Angels... wait, you know about Fallen Angels?!"
Asia realized.
"Yes." Rias nodded and then said, "The low- and mid-tier Fallen Angels occupying the church, along with the Stray Priests they've taken in, are clearly not good people."
"If you go there for your assignment, you might be forced to do bad things."
Rias gave a warning and added, "Though I suspect you didn't know about this and were probably tricked."
It was because she had been kicked out of the church and had no place to stay that Asia had to act according to some people's plans.
She had crossed a vast distance and arrived on this land all alone with great difficulty.
If no one had been secretly protecting her, she surely would have been devoured until nothing was left.
Unfortunately, the protectors themselves were also greedy wolves.
Rather, the current situation was entirely orchestrated by the mastermind behind the scenes.
Making those worldly-ignorant saints experience hardships, letting confusion and hesitation occupy their hearts.
Then letting them experience despair, only for the mastermind to provide hope.
And finally, burying that hope with their own hands.
Destroying both body and soul—after such a sequence, it's unlikely many could maintain their original heart.
Truly wicked, and truly disgusting.
"I don't want to do bad things..."
Asia said, then her expression slumped as she said, "I don't know where to go anymore."
"How about following me?"
Rias said with a smile.
"Miss Rias?" Asia asked in confusion. "Why help me?"
"There aren't many people as kind and beautiful as you left. Do I need a reason to want to help someone like you?"
Rias said with a bright smile.
"You're such a good person, Miss Rias." Asia said, somewhat moved.
She didn't suspect Rias's motives in the slightest. If Rias had impure intentions, Asia would be in a terrible spot.
This child is just too easy to fool.
Rias couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
This child needs someone to look after her constantly; she is quite suited to being a canary.
It couldn't be helped; her personality itself dictated that she could only be an appendage to others.
Her kindness was both innate and nurtured, and her convictions were hard to change.
She possessed a beautiful and wonderful soul.
At the same time, Asia possessed value that transcended that of a canary.
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