Night had fallen by the time Draconis and Koneko finished burying the human client—the one the stray exorcist had murdered. Normally, this kind of work could be handed off to subordinates or familiars, but Koneko insisted on doing it herself. So Draconis stayed with her, quiet and respectful.
"That bastard's not done yet. He'll come back," Draconis said, staring at the fresh mound of earth. His voice was heavy.
As devils, they had nothing to fear from the exorcist. But their clients were just ordinary people. How could they possibly defend themselves?
"It's my fault. I didn't answer her summons in time. Maybe she wouldn't have died if I'd been quicker." Koneko's voice was small, weighed down with guilt.
"It's not your fault," Draconis said, gently patting her shoulder.
"Next time that guy shows up, I won't let him escape," he added softly. Last time, he'd been caught off guard by that sacred flash grenade. Next time, he'd be ready. Next time, he'd end it.
"Call me when it happens," Koneko said, her eyes fierce.
"Yeah. I promise."
Behind them, Rias was conducting the reincarnation ceremony for Asia. She pressed a Bishop piece into Asia's hand, murmured the incantation, and watched as magic fused the piece into Asia's body. Just like that, their group had grown by one.
Draconis and Koneko returned to find Asia standing in a daze, dressed in a Kuoh Academy uniform woven from pure magic. She was still coming to terms with the change.
"How do you feel, Asia?" Draconis asked.
"My body feels so light… Am I really a devil now?" Asia's voice trembled with uncertainty.
Akeno smiled. "Ara ara, it's normal to feel a little strange at first." She turned to Draconis, teasing, "You're a devil senior now. Take care of your junior."
Draconis grinned, thinking he'd barely been a devil himself for more than a week. "Senior" felt like a stretch.
He noticed Asia's distant look. "Are you okay?"
"N-nothing…" Asia shook her head, forcing a smile.
Draconis figured she was just overwhelmed. Gently, he said, "If anything feels weird or you don't understand something, just ask us. We're your companions now. Whatever happens, we've got your back."
"Companions…" Asia echoed, voice barely a whisper. Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.
Everyone froze in surprise.
Wait, why is she crying?
Draconis hesitated. Had he said something wrong? …He didn't think so.
He tilted his head, concern written all over his face. "Asia?"
"I-it's nothing. I'm just… really happy," Asia stammered, wiping her tears away.
"…Alright, if you say so."
Rias stepped in. "Let's head back. We've lingered here too long, and that priest might return with fallen angels."
She understood Asia's importance now. The Holy Mother's Smile was a powerful Sacred Gear, and there was no way the fallen angels would give up easily.
"Akeno, let's go."
"Yes, President."
Akeno smiled at Asia. "Come stand by me."
Before, Asia couldn't use the devil teleportation circle as a human. That was why Draconis had pushed for her reincarnation—he hadn't wanted to leave her behind. Now, she was safe and, as it turned out, a valuable ally for Rias.
The teleportation circle flared, and the group vanished.
Ten minutes later, a scream split the night sky.
Freed plummeted from above, crashing into the ground with a sickening thud. Black feathers drifted down, settling on the ruined earth.
Two fallen angels hovered overhead, faces twisted in frustration as they sensed lingering devil energy.
"Damn it, we're too late! The Holy Mother's Smile is gone!"
One glared at Freed. "You idiot! You abandoned Asia and ran off alone! Don't you get how important her Sacred Gear is to us?"
Freed scrambled to his feet, face dark. "I'll find her, I swear! I already have a lead. That sword and shield—that's definitely a Sacred Gear. And there's only one new face in town who fits…"
The fallen angels traded glances. "The red-haired Ruin Princess of the Gremory family—her new Knight?"
"…Shit. That's her. She's no pushover," one muttered, frowning.
"Doesn't matter. Leave it to this loser to figure out. Even if we have to kidnap her, we're getting the Holy Mother's Smile back."
She shot Freed a murderous glare. "Now get lost!"
"Y-yes, of course… Goodbye, sisters…"
Freed slunk away, nursing his bruised pride.
…
Back at the clubroom, Rias headed straight for the shower.
Draconis, meanwhile, was pondering where Asia should stay.
"Any suggestions?" he asked Akeno and Koneko.
Both shook their heads. Akeno lived with Rias, and Koneko had a dorm room.
"How about Asia stays at your place?" Rias called out, her voice echoing from the bathroom.
Inside, she stood completely naked under the shower, letting the hot water pour over her. Asia, standing nearby, was beet red, eyes darting everywhere but at Rias.
Um… Draconis-san is still here. Doesn't the bathroom need… a curtain? Really? No curtain?
Draconis didn't bat an eye. He just looked at Rias through the open door and sighed. "That's probably not a good idea. I'll pay to rent Asia a place nearby. I've got some savings."
"Eh? I-I can pay for myself… I have a little money, it should be… enough, I think…" Asia mumbled, clearly unsure.
"Don't worry about it," Draconis said. "Save your money for yourself. You can't let yourself go broke. Do you know what it means to be 'penniless and plain'?"
Asia blinked, wide-eyed. "…Doesn't it mean having a poor foundation?"
"Nope." Draconis shook his head, deadpan. "It means when you're broke, people look at you with two white eyes."
The room fell silent.
Everyone: "…??"
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