**Chapter 6**
**Third Person PoV**
A lone woman, without any clothes except her panties, could be seen flying haphazardly in the dark sky under the moon's glow.
Her left side was heavily charred, and she was bleeding all over. Some of her feathers were missing and others were ripped.
She had an expression of fear on her face as she crash-landed in the abandoned church outside of Kuoh.
"Kalawarner, what happened?"
The woman who Issei would recognize as Yuuma asked the blue-haired colleague of hers.
"You made a big mistake!! The boy you killed, he is alive!!"
"What are you saying I personally killed him, there is no way, you must be mistaken!"
Raynare refuted Kalawarner's claims outright.
"No, he has been reincarnated as a devil! I saw his wings. And not only that, but he has the Boosted Gear!! You messed up, Raynare!"
"Shut up! I didn't. How was I supposed to know he had a Longinus? And who is he a servant of? Gremory or Shitori?"
"No idea. But you potentially created a big enemy out of the fallen!"
Saying so, Kalawarner fainted. Leaving a panicked and fear-stricken Raynare.
"Mittlet! Take Raynare and let the rogue priests heal her!"
A blond petite girl came and lifted Kalawarner over her shoulder like she weighed nothing.
"Why is her underwear so damp? Did she piss herself or, wait, is this arousal? Weird!"
Mittlet muttered as he walked back into the ruined church. Raynare was now biting her nails off in fear.
"Did I really mess up? I created this generation's Red Dragon Emperor, and made him an enemy of the Fallen? Azazel-sama would be so angry!!
No, before that, he would kill me!! I must get Twilight Healing, maybe then I could plead for mercy from Azazel-sama!"
With new plans to execute, Raynare also went inside the broken and battered church.
…
**Issei PoV**
Wake up. Train. Win.
Wake up. Train. Win.
Wake up. Train. Win.
"Ugh! Stop!"
I groaned as my hand rested on top of my clock. My eyes opened and I looked at the time.
"Only 6 AM? Why so early!!"
But even as I complained, I didn't have much of a choice. Today was the day. I was going to quit my gym and boxing coaching.
I had decided that after a long session of thinking yesterday before going to sleep.
My Boxing skills were at a level that only real fights would help me, and I couldn't fight humans.
Normal gyms also lose their worth to me now. I need far heavier weights, and that would not work in a public gym.
Shower, bathroom, brush, and dressing up took me around thirty minutes to do.
I came down from my room and met my father getting ready for work and my mother setting out the breakfast on the table.
"Good Morning, Otou-san, Okaa-san!"
"Same to you, Ise!"
"Yeah, Good morning. So which club did you decide to join?"
"It's the Occult Research Club. The senpai's there can help me with my studies and homework. Although I may be late somedays due to the club activities."
I said as I bit into the toast.
"Do club activities last that long?"
Mother asked, a little bit worried.
"No, but in the ORC we generally work after sunset, due to, you know, research on the Occult."
"You had an interest in that?"
"Yes, I found out recently. Also, I am going to quit my other two activities."
"Boxing and gym?"
"But you liked them so much, Ise! Money is not a problem, we have savings!"
"It's not about the money, Okaa-san. I have reached what I could learn in boxing and my club activities would take up the gym time."
"Are you sure about that, Ise?"
Otou-San asked seriously.
"Yes, I am!"
"Then fine, you are big enough to make some decisions on your own."
With that, I went out with my bag in hand. It was going to be a sad goodbye.
…
I stood on the sidewalk. It was tough saying goodbye to the place I had spent almost as much time as I had spent at my home for nearly half a decade.
I had changed gyms frequently due to some issues but the Boxing Coach was sad, but he understood my concerns, even though my reasons were fake.
"Huwaa!"
What kind of weird exclamation is that?
(Partner, it is a Sacred Gear user!)
I turned quickly and saw, white? Panties!
My eyes quickly landed on the long blonde hair and the outfit gave away her identity.
A dark teal nun outfit with light blue accents, a white veil over her head with light blue accents, a brown satchel slung on her right hip, and brown boots with black straps in an X-shaped pattern.
She also wore a silver cross necklace around her neck.
A Nun? What is she doing here? If I remember correctly the only church in Kuoh was abandoned.
(Be wary, Partner, she may be an enemy.)
Indeed life has been too bad recently. But first, let me be a decent living being and help her up.
"Are you okay? Here."
I extended my arm towards her and felt a slight burning sensation. My eyes landed on the silver cross hanging near her medium breasts.
It's not that bad, I could stay near for a few seconds.
She took my arm and stood up, but the wind blew away her veil, and her emerald green eyes met my brown ones.
"They are beautiful, your eyes I mean."
My reflexes came to use as I caught the veil mid-air before it could go too far and put it back on her head.
The sister was blushing hard, the red had covered the entirety of her face and reached till her ears.
"Th-Thabk you!"
She bit her own tongue in embarrassment? That is too cute! And now she's blushing even harder!
"It's fine. My name is Issei Hyoudou. Nice to meet you."
She seemed to have returned to her normal state hearing me introduce myself and did the same as me.
"My name is Asia Argento, please call me Asia. It's nice to meet you as well!"
"Well then, Asia are you lost?"
She hung her head in embarrassment and said, or more accurately whispered.
"Yes. Nobody speaks Italian here, and I can't read the signs."
Well, I don't either, but silver tongue for the win.
"Well I could take you there, but the church is abandoned, I should warn you beforehand. So you might need to stay in a hotel."
"But I was tasked to come here?"
(If it isn't obvious now, she clearly is lying about this!)
Yep, so that means she is not with the church, but with another faction and that implies.
(She is with the crows!)
Crows?
(Yes, the three factions, or as I like to call them. Pigeons, Crows, and Bats.)
That's nice, we got codewords and shit. Let's see what her plan is.
"Well we can go and see, maybe it has been reinstated. I am not the most devoted guy, so I might have missed that."
"No worries, the lord is benevolent!"
"I am sure he is."
Man I can be sarcastic when I want to.
We began to walk towards the outskirts of the town, near the small forest, where the church was situated.
I remember going to it on Sundays with Irina, I wonder what she is doing? Although I am sure she would purify me if she knew I am a devil now.
"Waah! Waah!"
Is that a dog crying?
(It's a child crying, Partner.)
Oh. Wait, where is she going?
"Hey wait!"
Asia bent down and went on her knees, and consoled the boy, looking like he was chasing bugs and fell.
"Big boys don't cry at such small boo-boo, here I will heal you!"
And spread her hand above the wounds, two rings appeared on her fingers and a soothing green glow appeared.
The wound of the boy healed at visible speed.
(A healing type sacred gear? Those are rare. Let me remember the names.)
"Thank you, Onee-chan!"
The boy said and ran to his mother. Asia didn't wait and walked away from the area.
"Sorry, I made you wait."
"No, it's fine. That's a nice power you got there."
"Yeah, it has been granted to me by the Lord for something wonderful"
"Yes… something… wonderful."
She said her voice felt hollow the second time she repeated it. Well I am sure there was a tragic backstory, but I can't concern myself with that right now.
Ddraig now you know which sacred gear it is?
(Yes, that is Twilight Healing, one of the rare healing-type Sacred Gears.)
Then is she a threat or not?
(Most probably not. Twilight Healing users are mostly healers, they rarely have any fighting capabilities.)
Then she is fine. Let's see what's going on with the church now.
Reaching the church wasn't hard, I knew where it was and just as I reached near its perimeter I felt chills.
From this far away?
(It would seem someone has set up a barrier, generally, the effects start from the gate.)
And it is abandoned, which means it is all but guaranteed that the fallen are in there. And either Asia is with them or she's is being forced.
I don't like either of the options. Let's hope I can change Asia's mind.
"Well Asia, it would seem the church is indeed abandoned. Why don't you stay at my house or at a hotel and wait till the officials from the Vatican contact you?"
"No, no it's fine. I couldn't burden your parents!"
"It would be fine, my parents really wanted a daughter, and aren't you my friend? How about you just stay for today? We can wait for a day right?"
"I am your friend?"
"Yes, you are. Now one day isn't going to be tough right? I also have a holiday tomorrow, so we could actually look around the town and then go to the church."
"Fine, if you insist, Issei-san."
"Yeah, let's take you to my home."
…
I left Asia at my home and told Okaa-san about her problems and she was delighted to have her.
Well, that is one problem solved. The wound on my arm is now also healed. Asia was a life saver. She believed my lie that I got it in practice.
So now I could go and meet Rias without any problem.
Now I only need to disclose about Asia and my findings to her, let's hope she isn't too mad at me for that.
My classes finished and I made my way towards the clubroom. I entered it and found that only Himejima-san was inside.
"Good evening, Himejima-san."
"Ara~Issei-kun, good evening and call me Akeno."
She seems to dislike the surname, it would seem.
"Fine, as you wish, Akeno-senpai."
"Ufu-ufu! I have a question, Issei-kun."
"Sure, what is it?"
"While checking out the area, my familiars found a demolished wall, a bent electric pole, and a crater in the ground with traces of some light energy as well, any idea what that was about?"
Shit, she knows!
"I have no idea what you are talking about, Akeno-senpai. Maybe ask someone else?"
"There was also some draconic energy there. I haven't told Rias about it yet."
"Alright, you got me, what do you want? Just keep it a secret for a while."
"Ara~ Does Issei-kun think I would exploit him?"
Please exploit me, hopefully in a sexual way!
"Then would you keep it a secret?"
I asked, somewhat conflicted in my desires. And I saw her eyes gleaming.
"Well if it isn't too much work, then you could help me out, tomorrow in the clubroom after work? I have some heavy lifting to do."
"Umm, sure."
A late night, some one-on-one time with one of the hottest girl I know? Sign me up!!!
At that moment the door opened and Rias walked in. She then noticed me and smiled.
"Issei, any reason why you are here so fast?"
Well yes.
"Yeah, so the thing is…"
Yeah, it did not go well, I was scolded heavily. She told me how I could die and this time I won't get revived.
Because exorcists, whether priests or users of holy power, would disintegrate my soul, leaving nothing.
She then warned me to stay away from the church and cut off my connections with the Nun.
I didn't say anything and silently took my scolding. But I won't be cutting off my connection with Asia.
I mean, how often does one come across a blonde-haired, green-eyed, clumsy, and shy nun?
Not nearly enough I say! So if those fallen bastards are going to be a reason why I need to leave her alone, then yeah those guys are done for!
How many could I take on Ddraig?
(Well there is your former ex, Yuuma, then whoever Raynare is, and the blue-haired one. So at least three of them. Raynare sounded like the leader so she should be stronger than the two you have faced.
And we should take precautions by assuming that they have some backup as well.
It could be rogue priests or some sacred gear users.
It would be a difficult fight alone for you. But it is winnable if you take out the backup and then go for the fallen.
You would have enough Boosts by then already.)
So what I hear is that I have a chance?
(In short, yes.)
Then let's hope I get the chance soon!
"Rias, there has been an order from the Duke."
Duke? Rias's father?
"From Father? What is it?"
"A stray has wandered in Kuoh, he has ordered us to handle him."
A stray? Is it a dog?
"A stray? Call Yuna and Koneko, we are going now."
Akeno nodded at that and went to call the others. While Rias looked at me and said.
"This would show you some ways we work, Issei. How much do you know about chess?"
"Well decent enough."
"It will come in handy soon!"
…
Thanks to Rias's generosity, I managed to teleport without getting my meager reserves emptied.
The only consolation I had was that after I was completely settled in as a devil, I would have enough for a round trip.
We appeared in the middle of a thicket, near an abandoned warehouse. The area looked like a set from a horror movie.
Can't devils live in some good-looking places?
Can you feel it, Ddraig?
(I can, it is almost on a similar level with the male fallen. But beware, this one is out for blood, and most strays are disfigured chimera, so they have better-attacking options.)
I don't think I will get to fight. This is probably going to be a showcase of the other's abilities.
This is a general tactic.
(Still be prepared, no plan survives contact with the enemy.)
I will keep my eyes open then.
…
AN:- And done, the fic now qualifies for webnovel rankings! So show this fic some love!