On the very next day, Silas was walking alone for a change. The morning was calm, the streets quieter than usual as he took a path he wasn't really familiar with, passing rows of houses and small shops he normally ignored on his way to school.
After playing a game yesterday, he had dropped the girls off before flying back home. The night air had been cool as he crossed the sky above Kuoh, the city lights glowing below him.
As soon as he arrived, he got a call from Rias telling him how the stray hunt went. He had leaned against the balcony railing while listening to her explain how Issei had gotten involved and how things had played out at the abandoned observatory. Silas mostly stayed quiet during the call, occasionally responding with a short comment while letting her speak.
Now on the very next day, Silas was walking silently, his hands in his pockets as he looked around the unfamiliar street.
Then he saw an interesting character.
He smiled faintly.
'It must be my lucky day,' he thought.
There he saw a blonde girl.
Who he knew very well was Asia.
The young devout girl who had just arrived at Kuoh was looking around in a panic as she had completely lost her way. She stood near a street corner, turning in small circles while clutching a folded paper map tightly in her hands.
She looked down at the map she was given. Which was just a cartoon doodle.
Simple stick buildings, arrows drawn in random directions, and a poorly drawn church at the end that barely resembled an actual location.
Her shoulders drooped slightly.
'Oh God, please guide me to the church,' she thought silently.
Suddenly a shadow fell over her. Asia slowly raised her head. Her emerald eyes landed on Silas's purple eyes.
"Hey," he greeted in a calm tone.
"Hello, how are you?" she answered happily, instinctively polite despite her confusion.
"I'm alright," Silas replied. "Are you lost by chance? You seem really shaken."
As soon as he asked, the girl suddenly brightened.
"Oh yes!" she said quickly.
She held up the paper map.
"I was given this map and told to follow it, but I don't quite understand it. I'm headed to the church here."
A faint blush appeared on her cheeks as she spoke.
Silas glanced down at the map briefly before chuckling softly.
"Well," he said, "I can take you there if you're willing to follow me."
Asia's eyes widened with relief.
"Really?" She smiled warmly. "Thank you. My name is Asia Argento." She extended her hand politely. Silas took it.
"Silas Morvane." He smiled slightly. "It's nice to meet a pretty girl like you."
He slowly lifted her hand and kissed her wrist. Asia's blush deepened immediately.
"Th-thank y-you," she said, her voice stuttering slightly.
Silas chuckled softly before letting go of her hand.
"Alright then. Let's go."
He turned and began walking down the street.
Asia nodded quickly, still blushing slightly as she followed behind him. She held the map close to her chest as she walked, quietly offering a small prayer of thanks.
She quickly thanked god for sending someone to help her.
The two walked together and began talking. The street was quiet as they moved along the sidewalk, passing small houses and convenience stores while the morning sun cast soft light across the road.
Silas slowed his pace slightly so she could walk comfortably beside him.
"So," he said casually, glancing at her, "where are you from?"
Asia held her hands together in front of her as she walked.
"I'm from Italy," she replied politely. "A small town not very far from Rome."
Silas nodded.
"That's pretty far from Kuoh."
"Yes," she said with a small smile. "It took a long time to travel here."
"What brought you all the way to Japan?" he asked.
Asia looked down slightly, her expression becoming thoughtful.
"I was sent here by the church," she explained. "They said there was a place for me here where I could be useful."
Silas glanced at her.
"Useful how?"
Asia hesitated for a moment before answering.
"I help people," she said quietly. "When they're hurt or sick."
Silas already knew what she meant, but he let her continue.
"They said the church here needed someone who could help with healing."
Her voice carried a hint of pride, but also innocence. Silas hummed slightly.
"So you're a healer."
Asia nodded. "Yes. Though… I still have much to learn." She then giggled with a blush" You're probably think I'm crazy now I'm sure"
"No I believe you. I really do" he responded with a smile.
They walked a little farther before Silas spoke again.
"Were you nervous coming here alone?"
Asia laughed softly, though it sounded a little embarrassed.
"A little," she admitted. "Actually… a lot."
She held up the small map again. "I got lost almost immediately."
Silas looked at the doodle again and chuckled. "Yeah, that thing is criminal."
Asia blinked.
"Criminal?"
"Whoever drew that should be arrested," he said.
Asia giggled quietly at that."You're very kind for helping me."
Silas shrugged. "Just happened to be walking by." He glanced at her again. "So how old are you?"
"Sixteen," she replied.
"Same as me," Silas said.
Asia seemed relieved to hear that.
"Oh! That's good."
"Why's that?"
She looked slightly embarrassed. "I thought you might be older."
Silas smirked. "Do I look that old?"
"No, no!" she said quickly, waving her hands. "I just meant… you seem very calm."
Silas chuckled.
"I get that a lot."
They turned down another street, the church now only a few blocks away. The road became quieter, with fewer houses and more open space as the tall outline of the church tower could already be seen in the distance.
Asia looked around with curiosity, her eyes moving from the buildings to the small shops and narrow side streets that branched off the main road.
"Have you lived here long?" she asked.
Silas shook his head.
"No, just arrived actually, but I know my way around," he responded casually, glancing down the street ahead as if confirming the direction.
Asia looked surprised by that.
"Really?" she said. "You could help me get used to the area then. Only if you want of course."
She clasped her hands together slightly as she said it, clearly a little shy about asking.
"Of course I want," Silas replied without hesitation. "Wouldn't want a cute girl like you getting lost again."
He said it with a smirk.
Asia immediately blushed again, her cheeks turning pink as she quickly looked away.
They continued walking side by side, the sound of their footsteps quiet against the pavement while a light breeze moved through the trees lining the road.
After a moment, she turned back toward him.
Asia smiled softly.
"I'm glad I met you today."
Silas glanced at her.
"Oh?"
"Yes," she said warmly. "I was very worried earlier."
She looked forward again as the church building slowly came closer.
"But now I'm not."
Silas smiled faintly as they continued walking.
"No problem," he replied calmly.
Soon they arrived at the church. The tall stone building stood quietly at the end of the road, its stained-glass windows reflecting the afternoon sunlight while the old wooden doors remained slightly open.
Silas stopped a few steps away from the entrance and looked up at it.
From the outside it looked peaceful. A normal church where people would come to pray.
But Silas knew better.
Standing there, he could already sense the presence beneath it. Dark, corrupted energy hidden under layers of holy symbols. The aura of fallen angels lingered below the structure like a shadow buried underground.
He sighed quietly.
'Should I just kill them now?' he thought.
His eyes lingered on the building for another moment before Asia's voice pulled him back.
She had turned toward him with a bright smile.
"Thank you very much for helping me today," she said gratefully, holding her hands together politely as she bowed her head slightly.
Silas shrugged lightly.
"Water under the bridge."
He glanced at her again.
"We should meet tomorrow and I'll show you around, yeah?"
Asia's face immediately lit up.
She nodded happily.
"I'd be really grateful if you did."
Then she suddenly realized how that sounded.
"Not that I'm not grateful now— I mean I am! Very grateful! I just—"
She began to spaz slightly, waving her hands nervously while trying to correct herself.
Silas chuckled at the sight.
"I'll see you, Asia," Silas said calmly as he turned and began walking away down the road.
Asia watched him leave.
She stood there for a moment, staring at his back as he walked farther away.
A blush slowly appeared on her cheeks.
Then deepened. She covered her face slightly.
'Forgive me father for my thoughts,' she quickly prayed in embarrassment.
After calming herself, she turned around and walked toward the church entrance, quietly stepping inside.
TO BE CONTINUED