After leaving Griselda, Rod teleported directly back to Kuoh Town.
As for the investigation into the Holy Swords, Rod had no intention of starting from scratch. Knowing the storyline, he could already predict what would happen next. Xenovia and the others would inevitably begin their investigation at the theft locations, follow the deliberately planted "clues," and eventually trace everything step by step to Kuoh Town in Japan.
Kokabiel wanted to resume the unfinished war.
However, since the leaders of the Three Factions were not eager for another conflict, he came up with a crude plan. First, he ordered stray exorcists to steal the Holy Swords, then planned to travel to Kuoh Town and kill Rias Gremory, the younger sister of the Lucifer Satan. In his view, these actions would certainly provoke both Heaven and the Underworld. And because his opponent would be a Fallen Angel executive who had survived the ancient war, the ones sent to capture him would inevitably be the strongest figures from each side.
A Seraph from Heaven, a Satan from the Underworld, and Kokabiel himself as the Fallen Angel commander, such a three-way clash would be intense enough to erase several cities from the map. Once the battle began, it would no longer be something that personal intentions alone could stop.
Of course, reality rarely matched ambition.
Rod knew that both Heaven and the Underworld had already seen through Kokabiel's intentions. Thus, the Church dispatched two Holy Sword wielders, while the Underworld relied on Rias and Sona Sitri to resist him, with the White Dragon Emperor ultimately bringing the conflict to an end.
In other words, even if Rod did nothing, the situation would not spiral into an irreversible disaster. Of course, he would lose the mission rewards.
"No matter what I do, Kokabiel will eventually appear. To be safe, I should finish developing my Balance Breaker as soon as possible," Rod muttered while thinking.
By the time he finished his thoughts, he had already entered the house through the backyard. The teleport anchor for Kuoh Town was set there, which was precisely why he had chosen to purchase this property in the first place.
Since it was already late at night and everyone was asleep, he decided not to wake Asia and planned to give her the letter the next day.
He returned to his room quietly. In the dim glow of the nightlight, he saw a familiar figure curled up beneath his thin blanket.
Lavinia lay on her side on his bed, her silk nightgown outlining her graceful figure. Even in sleep, she radiated a soft, captivating charm.
Rod felt his so-called "iron will" beginning to stir.
Rather than acting like a gentleman and giving the room to her, he changed clothes and lay down as well. Still, uncertain of Lavinia's true attitude, he restrained himself and avoided going too far.
For now, he decided, certain things would simply have to endure.
…
The next morning, the sun rose as usual.
Their sleeping positions remained much the same. After Lavinia woke up, Rod quietly got dressed and left the room. Not long after he stepped out, Lavinia opened her sleepy eyes. Noticing a faint sense of something unusual, a blush briefly appeared on her fair face before quickly fading.
"Am I being too frivolous like this?" she murmured softly. "I wonder if Rod even likes this side of me… Sleepwalking all the time must be troublesome for him too. After all, he's a perfectly healthy young man…"
Lavinia felt slightly troubled. Her tendency to wander in her sleep was difficult to change, and she only ever drifted toward people she subconsciously felt close to. In the past it had happened several times, but Rod was the only man involved.
Every time she thought about the subtle things Rod did while she slept, she felt conflicted. Still, she had heard that such matters were important for a girl's life, so she felt she should take time to think carefully.
…
When Lavinia arrived in the living room, she saw Asia just finishing her prayers. Delicious aromas drifted from the kitchen, where the three fallen angels, who had woken even earlier, were preparing breakfast.
The enticing smell quickly calmed Lavinia's wandering thoughts.
Meanwhile, Rod handed the letter to Asia.
"Huh? Is this… for me?" the young nun asked in surprise.
At first she thought Rod had mistaken it for someone else's, but when she saw the words "To Asia Argento" on the envelope, her thoughts became confused. Ever since she had been expelled from the Church, her former friendships and relationships had all been severed. She couldn't imagine who would send her a letter now.
"Open it. It might be a pleasant surprise," Rod said. Though curious, he had not opened the letter himself.
"Okay."
Asia nodded and followed his suggestion. Inside the envelope were several photographs along with the letter.
She began reading. Within seconds, her eyes reddened and tears streamed down her face like falling pearls.
"Who did this, nya?! Who made Asia cry? I'll scratch them to death!" Kuroka shouted as she rushed out of the kitchen, her suspicious gaze landing first on Rod.
If Rod had known what she was thinking, he probably wouldn't have minded proving once again that he truly liked cats.
"N-No… that's not it."
Asia wiped her tears with her sleeve. Though her voice trembled, a happy smile appeared on her face.
"It's… it's from the people I used to know. They wrote to thank me. I'm so happy… They didn't forget about me. There are photos too… If it weren't for you, Mr. Rod, I wouldn't have been able to hold on until now, until I received this letter!"
Her eyes were still red, yet filled with warmth and relief, as if a long-held burden had finally been lifted.
Rod glanced at the letter she handed him. As expected, it was full of words of gratitude, and the photos showed her former companions and those she had once helped with her Sacred Gear. Some were group photos, others individual pictures, all with encouraging messages written on the back.
"Well, at least this much shows they're not completely heartless," Rod said with a faint smile.
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