To anyone watching, it was clear that Asia was disturbed by Diodora's sudden declaration. Even Sona showed a surprised look.
Me? I was almost drawing Excalibur and a dozen other holy swords to kill him right then and there; that guy was getting on my nerves.
But I didn't do it. Killing a Pure-Blood Demon who is also the brother of Ajuka Beelzebub wouldn't be a good idea.
Not for me. I honestly didn't care about starting a war with the Demon Faction.
But if they found out about my connection to the Angel Faction, they could accuse them of wanting a war, and I didn't want to involve Michael and Gabriel in that.
"W-wife?" Asia asked in shock.
"Yes, wife," Diodora said with a smile before tilting his head.
"Hmm, perhaps that wasn't the right order. Forgive me, Asia, I was too forward. How about we start with a relationship first?" he asked.
"E-eh?"
"I'll ask my peers to take your belongings and bring them to my estate in the Underworld. In fact, this is Asia's destiny, to think that I would find you again like this. Shall we go now?"
"W-what? B-but—" Asia stammered as she looked at me, clearly feeling uncomfortable and silently asking for help.
I was more than happy to oblige.
"Diodora Astaroth," I interrupted their conversation as I stepped forward and pulled Asia behind me in a protective manner. The black-haired devil turned to me, and his eyes, which had been narrowed by his smile, opened slightly.
"I don't know if you're stupid or what, but do you think Asia is some kind of doll?" I asked with furrowed brows.
"You must be Gilgamesh," Diodora said, the smile still on his face. "I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean."
"Oh, you really are stupid then," I remarked maliciously, and I could see his smile darken at that, his eyebrow twitching as well. "Let's say you're a girl, and then you save someone, and the person you save is a prince who wants to take you to his castle and marry you. Would you accept?" I asked.
Diodora's smiling expression faded, and his eyes widened slightly; it was clear he was starting to get irritated. As if I cared—his annoyed face was pleasing to me.
"That's a bunch of nonsense that only happens in fairy tales, you idiot. This is the real world. Do you think Asia wants to go with you just like that?" I continued as I stepped back and looked at Asia. The girl looked at me with happiness, but it was hidden behind her nervousness.
Asia was too kind for her own good, and that wasn't always a good thing, especially in the supernatural world. For example, what happened to her was also because of her own kindness. Even ignoring God's state, she should have known that, no matter what, she shouldn't have healed Diodora in the past, seeing as he was a demon and was in Church territory.
I wouldn't have that, not on my watch. It's true that Asia's kind nature was rare, and you didn't see it often in this world, but at least she should know when to say 'Yes' and when to say 'No.'
And, fortunately, our lessons were working.
"N-No… I… I don't want to marry or go with you…" she said with a slight stammer to Diodora. She then gave a polite smile.
"D-Diodora-san, I-I'm happy and glad that you're okay and safe after I healed you, but I… I'm afraid I have to reject your offer…"
"I see… I understand that you don't want to accept immediately. But perhaps we can take it slow then? I'm really looking forward to getting to know my savior," Diodora offered with a polite smile.
"No," I cut off Asia, who was about to respond, stepping forward.
"You'll stay away from her," I said coldly.
Diodora's smile turned into a thin line when he saw me. His always-closed eyes opened slightly, and he gave me an unpleasant look.
"You, get out of my sight, filthy dragon," he sneered at me, and I could see Sona and Tsubaki's eyes widen as they heard Ddraig's angry growl in the back of my mind.
"Flying Rat, you stay away from Asia," I stated with an impassive look, inwardly taking amusement from his trembling eyes.
"Don't you dare lie to me. I know what kind of look you gave Asia, and I'm warning you, stay away from her," I demanded.
"And what gives you the right to make decisions for Asia?"
"What gives you the right to approach her after getting her exiled? You, Flying Rat, are filthier and more despicable than I am. At least so far, I haven't hurt her."
The furious snarl on his face truly gave me a lot of pleasure. Now I clearly understood why the original Gilgamesh loved to annoy others.
"It seems I need to remind you of your place, lowly dragon. Remember, you're just a human. I could easily break you in half, even if you're a Longinus user," Diodora sneered at me, and I felt like laughing. Really, he was threatening me? This kid was strong, but not stronger than Rias or Sona. Me? Hell, I could definitely take on Rias and Sona at the same time and win!
"Big talk coming from a mongrel who can only lick a maiden's heels," I mocked back with amusement on my face as Diodora growled.
"Gilgamesh-san, Astaroth-san," Sona stepped between us. "Please, stand down. I don't want you fighting in my office. Gilgamesh-kun, avoid antagonizing Astaroth-san."
"Never."
Sona ignored me as she turned to Diodora.
"Astaroth-san, now that you've handled your business, could you leave? I don't want to be rude; I just don't want to explain to the higher-ups later why a Longinus wielder fought a high-class demon." Diodora turned to her, and his anger seemed to fade, replaced by his smiling face again.
"Very well, Sitri-san, I'll leave for now," Diodora nodded and then looked back and smiled at Asia.
"Don't worry, Asia, I'll come back for you, even if a Heavenly Dragon stands in my way. I'll defeat him, no matter what."
He sent me one last unpleasant look, and I just smirked amusedly before a green magical circle appeared beneath him, and he was teleported away.
As soon as he left, I heard Asia and Sona let out the breath they were holding. I just put on an impassive face and turned to Asia, giving her a small smile.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Yes. I-I'm fine…" Asia nodded at me with a small smile too.
"Gilgamesh-kun," Sona called me, and I turned to her.
"What was that before? You… You were so hostile toward him," she asked with a frown.
"I'm not one to pry, but if I hadn't intervened, you two would already be fighting by now."
"You're wrong," I told her while shaking my head, and she gave me a look that said 'seriously?' as she adjusted her glasses.
"If you hadn't intervened, he'd already be dead by now." My voice was serious, making Asia give me a horrified look while Sona flinched before her expression turned grim.
I was already prepared to draw Durandal the moment we started arguing, and no matter how good his instincts were, his barriers wouldn't stand a chance against Durandal. All I had to do was swing it at him the moment we started fighting, and he'd be dead before he knew what was happening. The dense and strong holy and light element of Durandal would instantly turn him to ash, like waxed paper consumed by a flame.
"Why?" Sona asked me, her tone stoic, and I turned to her.
"His eyes when he looked at Asia were like those of someone looking at me," I said coldly, and Sona's eyes widened. She knew who I meant.
"But she's better, at least her motivation is based on pure greed. His is darker, crueler, and full of lust," I hissed with disgust on my face.
The moment Diodora looked at Asia with that look, I knew he was trouble.
Besides, I clearly knew who he was.
It was the look of a wild beast staring at its prey, the intent very clear. He intended to have Asia and clearly wasn't on a good path. He wanted her as a trophy or something, he didn't love Asia, he just wanted her, like a child wanting to have a toy.
He wouldn't get near Asia… I swore that as a hero.
"Asia, we're friends, even if I don't have the right to force you, but STAY AWAY FROM HIM," I said in a firm tone.
Asia looked at me with a strange look. I knew she probably didn't like it when I was rude to Diodora, but how the hell would I let Asia mess with him! I'd invade hell itself and shove a Durandal into his castle if he dared to kidnap Asia!
To my surprise, Asia showed me a sincere smile. She didn't show any signs of being displeased or annoyed; even her smile wasn't fake but genuine.
"I trust you… I know you're a good person and would never harm me, so I'll follow your words."
Asia's words were completely soft and sincere, her beautiful smile like that of an angel who had just forgiven me for the sins I committed. A slight blush adorned my face, and I quickly turned away from her.
God, this girl was too pure and innocent! Just her words brought comfort! How the hell did she do that?! Did she have some kind of charisma skill or something?!
I could tell that Sona and Tsubaki, who were watching us, had amused expressions on their faces now. Those two, I'd get them later.
**A Few Days Later**
It had been a few days since Asia and Gilgamesh's encounter with Diodora Astaroth, and since then, Gil had been more attentive to his surroundings because of it.
Another thing was that Diodora constantly sent gifts to Asia, from jewelry to silver crosses, probably made by someone else, to flowers and other things.
Currently, only Asia and Valerie were at home.
Enkidu, Gilgamesh, and Sebas had gone out to buy some things he needed, like food and clothes for Asia.
Mordred was training in the dungeon to get back into her normal battle rhythm; it seems that Gilgamesh's attack, Bararaq Saiqa, caused some internal damage due to the large electric current, something that had already been resolved.
Asia's training had also started, mainly with her Sacred Gear and magical training.
Her training brought her closer to achieving the Balance Breaker of her Sacred Gear [Twilight Healing] and also allowed her to heal people from a distance.
Another thing was the magic taught to Asia by Gilgamesh called Reverse, a magic that Gilgamesh had developed that reversed everything.
For example, a fire attack would turn to ice, holy magic would turn demonic, and healing would turn into damage, a very useful magic for Asia.
Currently, Asia and Valerie were at home preparing food for their friends.
Valerie stopped when she felt a surge of energy enter Sebas's barrier.
*KNOCK* *KNOCK*
"Asia, hide and call Mordred," Valerie said to Asia, who, though reluctant, nodded.
"Coming!" Valerie shouted as she went to answer the door.
She put on the facade of a normal girl and opened the door. As soon as she did, she was greeted by the sight of a middle-aged man with black hair, wearing priestly robes, but unlike what Freed or street exorcists wore, this man was cleaner.
"Yes, Oji-san? Can I help you?" Valerie asked with a cute smile.
The man looked at Valerie, as the girl was shorter than him. Seeing her smile, the man smiled back kindly, and for a moment, Valerie thought he was fooled, but she froze for a second when the man spoke.
"Vampire, you can drop that mask and step aside before I cut you down," the priest said gently.
Valerie's eyes narrowed, her facade disappeared, and it was now replaced by a dark look. "And what do you want, priest?" she hissed with venom in her voice. "Did you come to kill me?"
"Oh, no, I didn't…" the priest replied, making Valerie's eyebrow twitch. "I'm here for Asia Argento. If you hand her over to me, I'll leave and won't harm you afterward."
"You want Asia?" Valerie blinked before scoffing: "After exiling her, now you want her back? Seriously?" she asked with a smile.
"That's none of your business. Now, will you step aside and hand her over to me?" the priest asked again, his hand on the sword hanging at his side.
Valerie's eyes focused on the sword for a moment; it was the source of the holy energy she felt. The sword's shape was strange; she had never seen a sword like that before, but its power was clearly a force to be reckoned with. However, not only that, this man also made her cautious, very cautious. There was no doubt that this man was skilled with the sword he was holding at the moment.
"I won't let you take Asia back to that place! What do you want with her? Answer me first!" she demanded.
The priest's eyes narrowed; this vampire seemed to care about Asia. What was their relationship?
"As you said, the Church wants Asia back. She proved not to be evil as people thought," he grumbled. "Now step aside, girl, I don't want to hit you."
"How the hell are you going to take her! Do you think she's some kind of puppet or tool?! You threw her away, and now you want her back?!" Valerie scoffed. "I don't think so. She's not going with you. Now leave!"
The priest closed his eyes. So it would be like this. It saddened him greatly to see that he had to attack her, seeing as she was still a child.
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