Dulio grinned widely, leaning forward as he waved both hands toward the little nun.
"Yo, Asia! Welcome back. Looks like you're carrying something delicious there!"
He said warmly.
Asia blinked before giving him a sweet smile.
"Good morning, Mister Dulio. I brought bread."
Jeanne gave a polite little wave toward the girl.
"Hello, Asia. It's good to see you doing well."
Siegfried followed after her, his demeanor kind, giving the small nun a finger salute.
"It's nice to meet you, kid. I hope the townsfolk treat you well."
"It's very nice to meet you all, too. Thank you very much."
She said cheerfully, her voice small but carrying a genuine warmth.
The joy on her face made Vasco chuckle deeply.
He stepped behind her and placed one large, heavy hand gently on her back.
"Asia, this here is Arthur Pendragon. He's the young lad I spoke to you about before, the one who will be helping us from now on."
Asia's gaze snapped up to Arthur at once, her cheeks flushing a little pink.
She clutched the basket tighter to her chest before shyly dipping her head.
"H-Hello, Mister Arthur."
Arthur's lips curved into a small smile at how bashful she sounded.
He walked closer, crouched just a little to meet her height, and reached out a hand.
He gave her a soft head pat, his palm brushing lightly over her golden hair.
"Nice to meet you, Asia. Please… just call me Arthur. No need for 'Mister.' It makes me sound old."
Asia blinked up at him in surprise, but then her lips curled into a small, pure smile.
She nodded slowly, almost timidly.
"Okay… Arthur."
The gesture seemed to encourage her, and after a moment of hesitation, she tilted her head curiously.
"Um… may I ask you something, Arthur?"
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"Sure. What is it?"
Asia fidgeted, her green eyes glimmering with curiosity.
"I… I heard that you're a Devil who is related to King Arthur. Is… is that true?"
Arthur blinked at the question.
He hadn't expected her to ask something like that so directly.
For a moment, he simply stared, but then he exhaled lightly and gave her an honest nod.
"Yeah. I am. I'm a direct descendant of King Arthur and the son of the Crimson Satan."
Asia's mouth formed a small "o" of awe.
She stared at him as though he were something out of a fairy tale, admiration shining in her eyes.
"That's… that's amazing..."
She stated softly.
Arthur couldn't help but chuckle at her expression.
"Want to see something cool then?"
Asia's eyes brightened, the bashfulness momentarily replaced by excitement.
"Yes!"
Arthur lifted his right hand, and light gathered around his palm.
In a radiant flash, the Excalibur Ruler materialized; the holy energy it gave off filled the air with a subtle pressure of authority.
Asia gasped, her hands holding onto her basket as she leaned forward slightly.
"It's… so beautiful…"
Arthur angled the blade slightly so she could get a better look.
"You can touch it if you want."
He offered calmly.
Asia's eyes widened at the invitation.
"R-Really? I can?"
Arthur nodded.
"Go ahead. Just be careful around the edges. It's sharp as a razor blade."
Asia carefully set her basket aside on a nearby table and then reached out with her delicate hands.
Her fingertips gently brushed against the flat of the blade, and immediately she flinched at the faint hum of holy energy that coursed through her touch.
She didn't pull away, though; her hand stayed pressed softly against the weapon, her green eyes wide with awe.
"It's… so beautiful..."
She whispered again, her voice carrying almost a prayer-like reverence.
Around them, the others exchanged looks.
Dulio stifled a chuckle, clearly amused by Asia's expressions. Siegfried gave a small smile, while Jeanne's lips curved into a soft expression of fondness.
Lavinia, who had been watching quietly from the side with her arms folded, let out a light laugh.
"Looks like you've found yourself a little admirer, Arthur."
Arthur rolled his eyes, though the smirk tugging at his lips betrayed his amusement.
"She's just curious, like any kid her age."
He replied, his tone playful.
Asia blinked and tilted her head innocently at their exchange, not realizing she had become the center of attention.
She looked back at Arthur, still beaming, her cheeks faintly red from happiness.
Arthur sighed softly, still holding the sword out for her, and thought.
(She's too pure for this world…)
Ddraig hums in his head.
(I agree, partner... I don't know why, but I have this unexplainable urge to burn down the whole world and myself if anything happens to that small nun.)
The atmosphere in the room lightened considerably, warmth settling in as Asia's presence seemed to naturally brighten everyone's mood.
Asia slowly pulled her hand back from the flat of Excalibur Ruler, her fingertips lingering in the air as though reluctant to leave the warmth and brilliance of the holy sword.
She clasped her hands together in front of her chest, her green eyes practically glowing with admiration as she turned her gaze back to Arthur.
"Arthur… you're so amazing. I heard stories of so many things you did. You rescued those poor orphans, and I even heard you stop an Evil God!"
Arthur froze from her reverence, for a brief moment, he simply stood there awkwardly with Excalibur Ruler still resting in his hand.
"Uh… well, I... Uhh... It wasn't really all that impressive, Asia. I mean, there were a lot of people involved, not just me. I just did what I had to do."
Arthur began, scratching the back of his head with his free hand.
The others around them snickered quietly, unable to resist the scene unfolding before them.
Dulio covered his mouth with one hand to stifle a laugh, his shoulders shaking.
Even Vasco's lips twitched as he fought the urge to laugh at Asia's wide-eyed admiration.
Heracles grinned as he spoke.
"Don't listen to him, kid. Arthur here is just being humble and stuff. He's the real MVP in this group."
Georg smiled as he added.
"I agree. Our leader here deserves all the praise."
Cao Cao was leaning casually against the wall with his arms crossed, watching with obvious amusement.
Connla smiled as he shook his head.
"She's practically worships you, Arthur. It's adorable."
Arthur turned his head ever so slightly, narrowing his eyes at the others before secretly giving them the finger just hidden enough for Asia not to notice.
"It's nothing worth making a big deal over, Asia. I'm not some saint or savior. I just happened to be there when people needed help, that's all."
He tried to play it off with his usual calm demeanor, though there was a faint pink tinge to his cheeks from embarrassment.
Asia shook her head stubbornly, her blonde hair swaying with the motion.
"That's exactly why it matters, Arthur. That's what makes you amazing. You're like a real-life superhero!"
Her earnestness made him pause again, his hands pressing together in silence.
For a moment, he didn't know how to respond, so instead he let out a faint laugh under his breath.
Trying to shift the subject, Arthur tilted his head and looked at her curiously.
"Well, what about you, Asia? I heard something about you can heal people, right?"
At once, Asia's face brightened like the sun, and she gave a small nod, her smile practically glowing.
"Yes! The Lord blessed me with this sacred power to heal wounds and illnesses. I'm so grateful every day to be able to help others with it."
Arthur felt his chest loosen at her words as her voice carried gratitude and kindness.
He found himself thinking about her future, where she was excommunicated and had her Sacred Gear extracted.
Without realizing it, his pupil turned to slits as he watched her.
(When I find that Dora the Explorer motherfucker, I'm gonna roast him alive.)
Leaning forward slightly, his voice lowered with curiosity.
"Then, Asia… would you mind if I asked you to heal a certain someone?"
Asia blinked, her hands still clasped together, her head tilting slightly as she looked up at him with innocent curiosity.
"Heal… someone? Who is it?"
She asked softly, her tone full of gentle eagerness.
The room grew quiet, the weight of Arthur's words hanging in the air as everyone turned to glance at him, waiting for his answer.
DxD
The quiet atmosphere of the small room was broken by the soft creak of the door.
Valerie lifted her head from her book about composting, of all things, and instinctively straightened her posture as Arthur stepped inside.
He carried a small tray in his hands, the faint aroma of freshly cooked food drifting into the air.
Valerie blinked in mild surprise, then gently closed her book, resting it on her lap before offering him a polite smile.
"Arthur."
She greeted softly, her tone calm but edged with a reserved shyness.
Arthur nodded back, his expression relaxed and warm.
"Hey, Valerie. How are you feeling today? Doing any better?"
She shook her head slightly, strands of her blond hair falling across her shoulders.
"Not really. I… I still feel weak... I could barely feel my legs."
She admitted, her voice quiet, almost fragile, as if saying it too loud would reveal too much of her vulnerability.
Arthur's gaze softened, and he crouched a little so that his eyes were on her level.
"Don't worry. You'll get well soon. I promise."
He said gently, his tone reassuring without being overbearing.
He placed the tray carefully on her lap.
The steam rising from the plate carried the comforting scent of seasoned pasta, simple but rich in flavor.
"There you go. Enjoy."
Arthur said, smiling.
Valerie's crimson eyes widened as she stared at it, almost childlike awe flickering across her face.
She picked up the fork and took a small bite.
Her expression instantly brightened, and she quickly began eating with more eagerness.
Arthur sat down in the chair beside her bed, resting his elbows on the armrests, watching with a faint smile tugging at his lips.
A chuckle escaped him as he leaned back slightly.
"I'm guessing you like the pasta?"
Valerie gave a quick nod between bites, her lips curving into a rare smile.
"It's delicious. Truly… you're very good at cooking."
She said sincerely, her voice almost glowing with gratitude.
Arthur couldn't help but laugh softly at her straightforward compliment.
"Glad to hear it. I wasn't sure what to cook for you today, so I went with something simple."
Before long, Valerie finished the meal, setting her fork down with a faint clink.
She reached for the glass of water, taking a few careful sips.
When she placed the glass back down, she turned her gaze toward Arthur, her expression more solemn this time.
"Thank you, Arthur, truly."
She said quietly.
Arthur reached forward and took the tray back from her lap, shaking his head with an easy smile.
"It's nothing. No need to-"
But before he could finish, Valerie cut him off.
"It's not about the food."
She interrupted, her fingers tightening slightly on the book that still rested beside her.
She looked down, avoiding his eyes.
"It's about you… for caring for me. For treating me better than I've been treated in so long."
Her voice trembled faintly at the edges as she gripped the book harder.
"I know… maybe you're only being nice to me because of the grails inside me. But even so… even so, it's better than being treated like garbage. At least this way… at least this way I feel like I matter to someone."
Arthur's smile faltered, replaced by a small frown.
He set the tray aside on the nightstand before leaning forward.
"Valerie. Look at me."
She hesitated, slowly lifting her head, her eyes flickering with uncertainty.
Arthur reached out and, without warning, flicked her forehead with his finger.
The sound was small, but Valerie winced, her crimson eyes widening in surprise as she brought her hand up to rub the spot.
"Ow!"
She blurted softly, staring at him as though she couldn't believe what he had just done.
Arthur met her gaze evenly, his lips curving into a faint smirk.
"You've got it all wrong. Yeah, the fact that you have the Sephiroth Graal is one reason I want to make sure you're okay. I won't lie about that. But that's not the only reason."
He shifted, sitting on the edge of her bed now, his hand resting casually on his knee as he leaned just close enough for her to feel his presence.
"I'm kind to you because I want to be. Out of my own free will and no strings attached. Because I wanted you to experience something more pleasant than coldness or cruelty. Just kindness. Nothing expected in return."
Valerie's lips parted slightly, her breath catching in her throat.
Arthur's tone grew firmer, though his eyes still held a gentle warmth.
"But if you're going to mistake my kindness for some scheme to take advantage of you, then…"
He raised his finger again, wiggling it lightly in front of her face with a teasing glint in his eye.
"I'll keep flicking your forehead until you get it through that pretty little head of yours."
A faint blush crept across Valerie's pale cheeks, and she quickly looked away, embarrassed.
"I… I'm sorry."
She murmured, her fingers fidgeting with the edges of the blanket.
"I shouldn't have thought like that. It wasn't nice of me."
Arthur chuckled.
He reached out and ruffled her hair gently, giving her a light head pat.
"It's cool. Don't worry about it. I'm not offended."
He smiled down at her, his hand lingering for a moment atop her head.
"But I'd prefer there be no misunderstandings between us, alright?"
Valerie's blush deepened, her heart thudding faster under the unexpected tenderness of his touch.
She glanced up at him, her crimson eyes shimmering faintly before darting away again.
"Y-Yeah… alright."
She whispered.
Arthur laughed softly again, pulling his hand back, but the warmth he left behind lingered.
Valerie pressed her lips together, her face still tinged red as the silence stretched between them.
*Creak*
Suddenly, the door slowly creaked open again.
Arthur and Valerie turned their heads at the same time.
Standing at the doorframe was another Arthur.
Same face, same clothing, same radiant red hair and glowing green eyes, and beside him, peeking inside curiously, was Asia.
Valerie blinked several times as if her vision was playing tricks on her, while Asia gasped softly, her mouth opening in surprise.
"There are two of them…"
Asia muttered in awe, her voice sounding small in the room.
The two Arthurs exchanged a knowing glance and then chuckled lightly at her innocent reaction.
The Arthur, already by Valerie's side, stood up and walked toward the other.
"I'll leave the rest to you."
He said with a smirk.
The second Arthur nodded, and without another word, they raised their fists and lightly tapped them together.
The first Arthur dissolved into red particles, leaving only one Arthur standing in the room.
Asia's eyes widened at the sight, her hands gripped together as she whispered.
"W-What was that…?"
Valerie, meanwhile, raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of confusion and quiet amusement.
"It's honestly strange watching you do that."
She admitted softly.
Arthur glanced at the small nun, rubbing the back of his head as if this was nothing new.
"Don't worry about it, Asia. You'll get used to seeing things like that around me."
He then gently placed a hand on Asia's head, his tone softening.
"Valerie, this is Asia. She's a Holy Maiden who possesses the Sacred Gear, Twilight Healing. She's here to help you recover faster."
Valerie's crimson eyes widened, her lips parting slightly.
The thought of truly recovering, of regaining her health after years of weakness and torment, left her speechless.
She quickly turned her attention to the small blonde girl standing nervously nearby.
"It's nice to meet you… Miss Asia."
Valerie said politely, bowing her head slightly from her bed.
Asia snapped out of her confusion from earlier and hurriedly bowed back, her cheeks flushing at being called 'miss'.
"Oh! Y-Yes, nice to meet you, Miss Valerie!"
She replied, fumbling over her words.
She then glanced back at Arthur, almost seeking reassurance.
Arthur smiled warmly and made a small hand gesture toward Valerie, silently telling Asia to go ahead.
Taking a breath, Asia walked closer to Valerie's bed.
She stopped right in front of her and held out her small hands.
"Um… may I?"
She asked timidly.
Valerie nodded, extending her pale hand toward her.
The moment their fingers touched, two glowing green rings of light formed around Asia's hands.
Asia closed her eyes as she muttered.
"Twilight Healing."
Valerie's breath hitched as she felt a soothing warmth wash over her body.
The green aura expanded, surrounding Valerie, and she could already feel the heaviness in her chest easing, her limbs feeling less frail.
"I… I can feel it."
She whispered, her voice trembling in disbelief.
But while Valerie was basking in the sensation, Arthur noticed something else.
Sweat began forming on Asia's forehead, her small frame trembling as she poured everything into her Sacred Gear.
It was clear she was exhausting herself quickly.
Arthur narrowed his eyes and stepped forward.
Summoning his Boosted Gear gauntlets, he placed a hand gently on Asia's shoulder.
[BOOST!]
[TRANSFER!]
Arthur transferred his amplified energy into Asia; the sudden surge made Asia gasp, her tired expression changing into one of renewed vitality.
She blinked in surprise and turned her head slightly toward Arthur, eyes wide.
He gave her a reassuring smile.
"Keep going. You've got this."
Encouraged, Asia nodded firmly and refocused her energy.
The emerald glow intensified, enveloping Valerie like a cocoon.
Minutes turned into what felt like an hour as Asia channeled her healing into the weakened dhampir.
Finally, the green aura faded, the light dimming until the room was once again bathed in its normal, soft glow.
Asia let out a long sigh, her shoulders slumping from exhaustion, but there was a bright smile on her face.
Arthur reached out and patted her head gently.
"Well done, Asia. Thank you for helping Miss Valerie here."
Her smile widened, her cheeks pink.
"I'm happy to help. Truly."
Arthur then turned his attention to Valerie.
She was breathing evenly now, her skin showing more color than before.
Slowly, he extended his hand toward her.
"Can you stand?"
Valerie stared at him for a moment, tears pricking the corners of her eyes.
She reached out and took his hand, allowing him to guide her out of bed.
Slowly, she placed her feet firmly on the floor and pushed herself upward.
Her legs wobbled, but they held.
Her eyes widened.
"I… I can stand…"
She whispered in disbelief.
Overwhelmed, tears streamed down her cheeks as she suddenly threw herself forward, wrapping her arms around Arthur in a desperate hug.
"T-Thank you… thank you so much…"
She cried against his chest.
Arthur blinked in surprise at the sudden embrace but quickly smiled, gently returning her hug.
"It's nothing. Really. Besides, Asia's the real MVP."
He said, glancing at the little nun.
Valerie pulled back slightly, her eyes still wet but her smile bright.
She turned to Asia, bowing her head in gratitude.
"Thank you as well, Miss Asia."
Asia shook her head furiously, her hands waving in front of her.
"I-It's no problem at all! I'm just happy doing God's work!"
She said shyly, her voice cheerful despite her tiredness.
At that moment, Valerie realized she was still close to Arthur.
Her face flushed a deep red as she quickly stepped back, clutching her chest and stammering.
"S-Sorry… I didn't mean to…"
Arthur shook his head.
"Don't worry about it. I don't mind at all."
Valerie bit her lip, trying to hide her embarrassment as Arthur continued with a calm smile.
"So… how about it? Wanna see the outside? Meet the rest of my friends?"
Valerie hesitated for only a moment before nodding.
Her crimson eyes glimmered with anticipation.
"Yes… I'd like that."
DxD
Hello readers!
Sorry for the wait.
I needed intense mental therapy at the moment from all the bullshit I had to endure in college.
Preferably, lying underneath a tree shade while Ai Hoshino is giving me a lap pillow as she sings a lullaby in my ear.
And before you ask, yes, I've watched the anime and started reading the manga.
She's officially in my Top 10 anime waifus now.
And second...
I don't give a shit if you were a victim or whatever.
I HOPE YOU SUFFER FOREVER IN A LAKE OF FIRE AND DOLPHINS, HIKARU KAMIKI!!!
If you want, comment on who your favorite waifu is while giving me Power Stones.
Thank you, everyone, and see you later!