"So, she's a Sacred Gear user…"
Hearing the report, Rias rested her chin on her hands, deep in thought.
"There's also a rogue exorcist. That would explain some things."
The fallen angels who'd been destroyed at the church might have been waiting for the rogue exorcist, Freed, and for the holy maiden, Asia.
But why?
What was Asia's Sacred Gear capable of?
It had attracted the attention of a high-class devil, which meant it likely wasn't something trivial.
Akeno covered her mouth with a smile.
"Ara ara, President Rias. I told you Koneko-chan was acting a little strange. Look!"
Koneko, who had just finished her report, sat quietly on the sofa, eating the snacks Xi Ye had bought for her earlier.
At Akeno's comment, there was a sharp crack as the fish-shaped biscuit was crushed in her hand.
In her mind, she imagined Asia—innocent, holy—and Xi Ye, who seemed to have peculiar tastes, living under the same roof.
Her expression shifted from calm contentment to something more conflicted.
Rias gave Akeno a warning glance.
"Akeno, please investigate the exorcist who's recently come to town. He shouldn't be hard to find. The church has been abandoned for a long time—anyone walking around in clerical robes will stand out."
"Yes, President~" Akeno replied with a nod.
"Koneko, invite the holy maiden Asia to meet me tomorrow," Rias instructed. Then she paused. "Does Mr. Xi Ye know anything about you or Asia's identity?"
"He shouldn't," Koneko said, recalling his ignorance at the ramen shop and shaking her head.
"Then do you think he'll accept your identity?" Rias asked.
To her, Xi Ye was just an ordinary human. Koneko, on the other hand, was a reincarnated devil.
Rias wasn't opposed to devils forming bonds with humans, but experience had made her cautious.
In the Great King Bael's household, her cousin Sairaorg's parents had suffered deeply for similar reasons.
Acceptance wasn't guaranteed.
"Mr. Xi Ye…"
Koneko hesitated. She wasn't sure.
But… he might. He seemed open to the idea of non-human existences.
Still, the thought of Asia, of them being together, made her feel strangely unsettled.
Meanwhile, at Xi Ye's residence
An unexpected guest had arrived.
Asia busied herself cleaning the living room. She'd already tidied up her room, too.
By traditional standards, she was the perfect houseguest, maybe even the ideal wife.
"I'm so sorry for troubling you, Mr. Xi Ye," Asia said softly after finishing her work.
Now under his roof, she had offered her labor for food and shelter.
Watching her, Xi Ye could only sigh inwardly.
This girl is so innocent… she's bound to be tricked by someone sooner or later.
In his eyes, Asia wasn't dumb—but she was certainly pure and naive.
"It's fine!" he said with a smile, gently patting her head. "I only asked you to cook breakfast and dinner, not clean the whole place. Honestly, I'm getting the better end of the deal."
"Huh? I-is that so…?"
Her blush, which had only just faded, quickly returned.
"Of course," Xi Ye chuckled.
But then, a knock at the door.
Asia, trying to hide her flustered expression, quickly went to answer it.
She opened the door and froze.
"Oh? Asia, there you are. That saved me some trouble."
Standing outside was a man with long white hair and a warped, predatory smile.
He looked at Asia the way a wolf might eye a rabbit.
Xi Ye, assuming it was Koneko, hadn't bothered checking.
But the unfamiliar voice made him pause.
The words hit him like a warning bell: this was the rogue exorcist, Freed, the missionary Asia had mentioned.
"Ah… I…"
Asia stepped back, fear flickering in her eyes.
Freed sneered.
"Can't believe it. The holy maiden from the Gardland Church out here, hiding in Kuoh Town."
"What…?"
Asia was helpless.
A moment later, a warm pair of hands gently touched her head.
"Asia, don't be afraid."
Xi Ye looked down at her and smiled gently, wiping away her tears.
"O… okay…"
In her eyes, Xi Ye was radiant, like a savior crowned in sunlight.
Freed chuckled darkly.
"What a touching love story. Warms the heart…"
With a flourish, he produced a hilt. A blade of light extended from it, which he licked lazily.
"...I could cry."
Xi Ye ignored him and whispered to Asia, "Go hide. Now."
But from behind Xi Ye's stance, Asia could see Freed clearly—and suddenly, she remembered.
Freed had murdered a family before coming to Kuoh Town, a family with ties to devils.
There was no way Xi Ye could beat him.
Am I cursed? God's redemption ends in my destruction?
"No, Mr. Xi Ye… you should go. He's the missionary who brought me here. I'll go back to the church with him. It's alright…"
Her voice trembled. Tears streamed down her face.
But Freed just laughed.
"The church? Oh, no. Those fallen angels tossed me aside like garbage. Bunch of worthless traitors."
He had gone to the church earlier that day, only to find it abandoned.
The betrayal still burned inside him, and now he had found the perfect target for that rage.