The sun dipped low over Kuoh, casting the streets in rich hues of gold and amber. A soft breeze drifted past, tugging at my clothes as I walked away from the ORC training grounds—hands in my pockets, steps light with satisfaction.
The faint echoes of groans and curses still played in my head. Rias and Sona's peerages were probably still collapsed on the field, regretting every decision that led them to accept my "affordable" training.
I smirked.
"Man," I muttered, eyes drifting toward the sky, "I really am a generous teacher."
Well, depending on how you define generous.
My thoughts shifted to tomorrow's session. The smirk curled into something sharper. I needed something tougher. Something they'd never forget.
"Water buckets while climbing a hill? No... maybe balancing on poles while reciting spells backwards?"
Ideas flowed: weighted cloaks, blindfolded obstacle courses, ambush duels, illusionary death trials—even a pit fight sounded fun.
Okay… maybe I was having too much fun.
Then I saw her.
Just ahead, standing uncertainly at the corner. A girl in a white nun's habit, blonde hair peeking from beneath her veil, hands clutching a crumpled map. She spun slowly, lips moving faintly as she tried to make sense of her surroundings.
I blinked.
"…Asia Argento."
Recognition was instant. The kind-hearted nun. Sweet. Gentle. Way too pure for this world.
And definitely too early for her to be here.
She hadn't noticed me yet. Her expression teetered on the edge of panic, and for a moment, I frowned—not out of concern, but because her presence didn't match the current timeline.
Still… I knew how this scene played out. Might as well follow the script—for now.
I straightened my jacket, smoothed my expression, and chuckled softly.
"Well," I murmured, "looks like I just unlocked a new event."
Under the fading sunset, she stood out like misplaced light. Her blonde hair shimmered, her veil fluttering gently in the breeze.
She looked out of place—not just in Kuoh, but in this entire story.
Which meant the Fallen had already started moving.
Asia wasn't just another NPC. She was a sacrifice—an unwitting piece in a cruel game played by monsters in holy robes.
Part of me wanted to step in right then. Shield her. Change everything. But I couldn't. Not yet. Timing was everything.
Still… no way I was letting this moment pass.
I crossed the street casually. Hands in pockets. Smirk in place.
She didn't see me until I was right in front of her. I tilted my head, voice calm and inviting.
"Hey. You look a little lost. Need help, Sister?"
She flinched, startled—but when our eyes met, the panic faded. Her tense posture softened. And in that instant, her face lit up with pure relief.
"Yes, thank you… I'm trying to find the church," she said, her voice barely louder than a whisper. "But I think I took a wrong turn somewhere…"
She looked up at him again, her expression full of gentle sincerity. "My name is Asia Argento. It's nice to meet you."
Malrik's smile widened, and he extended his hand.
"Nice to meet you too, Asia," he replied. "I'm Malrik. Kuoh's local friendly guide... and part-time delinquent."
That earned a surprised blink—then a soft giggle escaped her lips, light and unguarded. Her hand lingered near her chest, still lightly holding the cross, but her posture was more at ease now.
"You're… very funny," she said, a hint of pink blooming in her cheeks.
Malrik tilted his head slightly, feigning offense. "Funny? Not charming? Or at least, devilishly handsome?"
The blush on her face deepened. She tried to hide her smile behind her fingers, but her eyes betrayed her amusement.
He chuckled and nodded toward the smaller path just ahead.
"C'mon," he said. "The church isn't far. Kuoh has a bad habit of hiding important places behind trees and creepy alleys. It's practically a game of hide-and-seek."
They began walking together, their steps in rhythm. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable—just quiet, companionable.
After a moment, Asia glanced at him from the corner of her eye. "Um… Are you really a delinquent?"
Malrik smirked but didn't answer right away. He let the question hang in the air for a beat, then shrugged with playful indifference.
"Only when I'm not helping lost angels find their way," he said, flashing her a sideways look.
Her fingers gripped the strap of her satchel a little tighter, and she turned her gaze toward the sidewalk, the smile never leaving her lips.
———
The golden light bathed Kuoh in a quiet warmth as we walked side by side, the narrow streets carrying the scent of distant flowers and old stone.
Asia held her map like a lifeline, though she'd long stopped glancing at it. Every few steps, she'd peek at the unfamiliar buildings and then at me, like she couldn't decide whether to trust the path or her guide.
She hadn't let go of that cross.
"Japan is so… different," she murmured. "Peaceful, but also… busy. Everything feels like it's moving."
I glanced sideways. "Yeah. That's one way to put it. Kuoh especially has a lot going on beneath the surface. You could say it's... spiritually dense."
She tilted her head, confused, but smiled anyway. It was soft. Unpracticed. The kind of smile someone gives when they're trying to be brave in a place that doesn't quite feel like home.
"So…" I said, slipping my hands into my pockets again. "How are you liking it so far? Besides getting lost and ending up in a totally not-suspicious part of town?"
Asia giggled, one hand brushing her veil as it fluttered with the wind. "It's beautiful. A little overwhelming… but everyone I've met has been kind."
I gave her a slow look, letting my grin grow just enough to tease.
"Too kind, maybe," I said. "Especially you, Asia. You're the kind of person people warn you about."
She blinked in confusion. "Me?"
"Yeah. Someone might try to kidnap you. You know... someone like me."
She laughed—nervously at first, her fingers tightening briefly around the strap of her satchel—but the warmth in her eyes returned a moment later.
"You wouldn't really do that, would you?"
I shrugged, leaning just a little closer as we turned a corner.
"Only if you asked nicely."
Her face went pink instantly. She looked away, mumbling something I didn't catch, and I chuckled under my breath. It was fun seeing her flustered—not because I enjoyed teasing her, but because it meant she wasn't scared anymore.
The roads narrowed the farther we walked, the homes thinning out, replaced by trees and rusted fences. The air grew still. Familiar.
And there it was.
The old church sat on the edge of town like a memory someone had tried to bury. Its walls were cracked but still stood tall, its silhouette outlined against the dying light. A single crow fluttered past the steeple as we approached.
Asia stopped beside me, eyes wide with something like reverence. Relief washed over her face, and for a second, she just stood there, staring up at it like it was a miracle.
"Thank you so much, Malrik-san," she said softly, bowing slightly. "I really appreciate your kindness."
I looked at her a moment longer, the smile fading just a bit. I knew what waited behind those doors. Knew what they would take from her.
But I couldn't interfere—not yet.
"Of course," I said, voice low. "Just… be careful, alright?"
Her head tilted slightly at my change in tone. She nodded anyway.
Then, gripping her satchel, she turned and made her way up the steps.
I watched until the doors closed behind her.
My smile was gone now, replaced by something quieter. Something colder.
Not yet, I thought. It's not time to save you, Asia… but when it is, I won't let you fall.
With the last rays of the sun trailing behind me, I turned away and walked into the coming night.