Now I'm really regretting why I never took Italian classes.
Asia's voice tumbled out in rapid Italian apologetic tone, while I understood absolutely nothing.
Giorno Giovanna had been my favorite JoJo protagonist for years. The character single-handedly made me think learning Italian would be cool. I'd even signed up for a trial class once and sat through only one session before realizing that motivation from a fictional mafioso and actual linguistic dedication were completely different beasts. Dropped it faster than my expectations for Season 2 of No Game No Life.
Really paying for that decision now, aren't I?
Asia continued her apology while gesturing at her luggage, then to me, then at herself with body language for "I'm so sorry" translated perfectly even when her actual words didn't.
What should I do? I didn't even bring my phone with me.
My phone sat on my kitchen counter. Exactly where I'd left it in my frantic sprint out the door. No translation apps. No emergency Google assistance. Just me, a language barrier, and a girl who looked two seconds away from crying over this collision.
Then It clicked in my mind, I had the newly acquired ability. DISC Creation. Whitesnake's signature power, now sitting in my mental toolbox like a loaded gun with infinite potential applications. I'd been so focused on Sacred Gear extraction that I'd completely overlooked the other obvious use case.
Command DISC.
I could definitely work with that.
I raised one hand slowly, deliberately. Pointed past Asia's shoulder with what I hoped was the gesture for "look behind you."
Her green eyes followed my finger. Head turning with complete innocent trust as she glanced over her shoulder to see what had caught my attention.
The moment her gaze shifted, I moved.
I activated DISC Creation with focused intent. The ability responded instantly, manifesting knowledge I'd mentally constructed from scratch. A flat disc materialized between my fingers, gleaming white with faint rainbow shimmer across its surface like oil on water.
[ Speak and Understand the Italian language ]
I pressed the disc against my skull.
It slid inward smoothly. No resistance. Like pushing a CD into a computer drive except the computer was my brain and the CD contained an entire linguistic framework. The disc vanished beneath skin and bone, integrating seamlessly.
New connections flooded my mind immediately. Neural pathways lighting up like a city grid receiving power after a blackout. Words I'd never learned suddenly made perfect sense. Grammar structures clicked into place with the satisfying precision of puzzle pieces finding their home. Pronunciation rules, verb conjugations, idiomatic expressions, the proper way to gesture while speaking Italian for maximum emotional impact.
All of it downloaded directly into my consciousness in the space between mind. As it was stated, it worked only for a few intervals of time, and I wasn't sure how long and that's something I have to know after I am done meeting with the other Devil heiress.
Asia turned back toward me, confusion replacing concern. She blinked twice, tilting her head slightly to the right.
"Forgive me" I said in flawless Italian. The words emerged smooth, natural, like I'd been speaking this language my entire life "I thought the man behind you was asking for you?"
Her eyes lit up like someone had just handed her the winning lottery ticket. Green irises practically glowing with relief and joy. Both hands came up to her mouth in surprise, fingers pressed against lips as a brilliant smile broke across her face.
"You speak Italian?!" The words burst out excited, grateful "Thank God! I asked everyone but no one seemed to understand what I was trying to say!"
Why does she think a Japanese individual would speak Italian?
Maybe it's because she is Asia?
Asia Argento wasn't stupid. Far from it. But her sheltered upbringing in the church had left massive gaps in practical life experience. The kind of gaps that made someone think "surely people will understand me if I just speak clearly enough" Pure heart, minimal street smarts. A combination that would get her exploited repeatedly in this world.
Already was being exploited, if memory served. Raynare had probably arranged this entire scenario. Made Asia come to Japan with minimal preparation, knowing full well the language barrier would isolate her. Make her dependent. Easier to manipulate when you controlled someone's only lifeline to basic communication.
I kept the smile polite "It's quite unusual for a nun to be in town. Are you on a trip, miss?"
"No, no" She shook her head quickly, blonde hair swaying. Words tumbled out hurried, almost tripping over themselves "I was assigned to the church in this town"
"Well, there's only one church in this town. But it's been abandoned for a long time"
The abandoned church on the outskirts. Fallen Angels headquarters. Raynare's base of operations where she'd eventually perform the Sacred Gear extraction ritual that would kill Asia in canon. The place where Issei would storm in, rage-fueled and desperate to save the first girl who'd shown him genuine kindness.
Except this timeline had me in it now. Which complicated things significantly.
Asia's eyes lit up again. That same bright hope that made her simultaneously endearing and heartbreaking to watch "Forgive me for my request, but can you show me the direction to it?! Please?"
I lifted my arm and pointed northwest where the church sat on its hill overlooking Kuoh's outskirts.
Sharp pain lanced through my shoulder immediately.
The injury from last night of Dohnaseek's light spear graze. The wound I'd bandaged hastily before collapsing into bed, too exhausted to do proper medical care. Adrenaline from the fight had masked how bad it actually was. Now, hours later with the adrenaline completely gone, my body helpfully reminded me that light spear wounds hurt like absolute hell.
I bit back a wince. Failed completely at hiding the grimace that twisted my expression.
"Is everything fine?" Asia's voice shifted instantly from hopeful to concerned. Her gaze locked onto my arm with the focused intensity of someone trained to recognize injury.
"No, it's just a small cut on my arm that I got" I forced the smile back into place "Nothing to be worried about"
Asia took a step closer. Her hands came up hesitantly, uncertain "May I... could I take a look at it? Please?"
Well, if she's asking herself, then why not see Twilight Healing with my very own eyes?
I pulled up my sleeve carefully. Fabric scraped against sensitive skin as I exposed the white bandages wrapped around my shoulder and upper arm. The makeshift medical work looked exactly as professional as "half-dead teenager doing first aid at 2 AM" suggested. Uneven layers. Visible bloodstains seeping through in dark patches. The kind of bandaging that screamed "this person needs actual medical attention"
Asia gasped like she'd just witnessed something personally offensive to her existence. Her green eyes went wide, lips parting in shock as she took in the full extent of visible damage.
"Don't worry, it'll heal" I said reassuringly "Just needs time"
She said nothing. Her both hands moved forward, delicate fingers positioned themselves over the bandaged wound without actually touching. It was close enough that I could feel warmth radiating from her skin.
Then her hands began to glow.
Soft green light emanated from her palms. The illumination wrapped around my injured arm, seeping through bandages, penetrating fabric and flesh with equal ease. No heat. No discomfort. Just pure, concentrated healing energy flowing directly into damaged tissue.
I could feel pain leaving my arm.
The sensation was surreal. Like someone had taken the volume dial on my nerve endings and slowly, steadily turned it down to zero. Sharp agony faded to dull ache. Dull ache shifted to mild discomfort. Mild discomfort evaporated into nothing at all. Torn muscle fibers knitted back together. Damaged blood vessels sealed. Bruised tissue returned to healthy pink. All of it happening beneath my skin in real-time while green light danced across the surface.
Until finally, there was no pain at all.
The green glow faded. Asia pulled her hands back slowly, carefully. Exhaustion showed in the slight droop of her shoulders, the way her breathing had deepened.
But her smile remained genuine. Warm. Happy to have helped.
"Thanks" I moved my hand, with no pain at all "What was that?"
"It's a gift from God" Her voice carried absolute conviction. Faith so pure and certain it almost hurt to witness. She launched into explanation about blessings, divine providence, sacred duty to heal the sick and injured.
How the church could think she's evil and must be excommunicated is beyond me. She'd used her God-given healing ability exactly as God presumably intended: to ease suffering and save lives. For that single act of compassion, the church excommunicated her. Branded her a heretic. Cast her out like contaminated waste.
Then the Fallen Angels swooped in. Raynare offered friendship, purpose, a new home. All lies. All manipulation building toward the moment they'd murder her to steal Twilight Healing for themselves.
But.
I wouldn't let that happen. Not when I had advance knowledge and actual power to intervene.
I owed her. She'd healed me without hesitation, without asking for anything in return.
I'd make sure she didn't go through that ritual. Not for plot convenience. Not for canon compliance. She deserved better and not only her, but every innocent individual must never suffer from a bunch of greedy individuals.
But first, I had somewhere to be.
I glanced at my watch. The numbers displayed doom in digital format.
7:58 AM.
Shit.
"We should get you to the church" I kept urgency out of my voice through sheer force of will. Smiled like I wasn't internally screaming "I'm in a bit of a hurry, but I can point you in the right direction"
Asia nodded quickly. Gratitude written across her features like billboard advertising.
I would make sure she doesn't go through that ritual just for the sake of plot. I'm going to pay her back for the kindness she showed me today.
The promise settled firm in my mind.
I just hoped Sona Sitri wasn't waiting at the school gates with a clipboard and an icy glare reserved specifically for late students.
That would be significantly less fun to deal with.
---
My day at school passed in a blur of strategic avoidance.
I'd managed to reach Kuoh Academy exactly thirty seconds before the late bell. Literally ran through the gates as the warning chime started. Teachers gave me looks ranging from disapproving to mildly impressed at my photo-finish timing. Sona Sitri, thankfully, was nowhere in sight during my graceless entrance. Small mercies.
I sat through classes with the awareness of someone physically present but mentally elsewhere. Teachers spoke. I took notes. My hand moved across paper while my brain processed absolutely nothing about quadratic equations or classical literature. All my mental energy focused on the upcoming meeting.
School ended with the same anticlimactic ring that marked every school day. Students flooded hallways. Conversations rose to deafening levels. The building emptied with the desperate enthusiasm of people escaping imprisonment.
I headed in the opposite direction, toward the old school building. The Occult Research Club's territory.
I reached the clubroom door and knocked twice.
"Come in"
I turned the handle. Pushed the door open.
Rias sat on the main couch. Her crimson hair caught the light filtering through windows, creating that signature red that marked Gremory lineage. Blue-green eyes met mine with polite interest. She wore the school uniform with casual elegance. Like the uniform had been specifically designed for her rather than the other way around.
Akeno stood behind her. Long black hair tied in her usual ponytail, violet eyes gleaming with that ever-present gentle amusement. Her smile suggested she found the entire world mildly entertaining. Hands clasped at her waist in perfect posture.
"Welcome, Motohama-kun" Rias gestured to an open seat across from her "Thank you for coming. And thank you again for taking care of the Stray Devil last night. Did you face any difficulties during it's extermination?"
Should I tell her about the Fallen Angel encounter?
Probably not. It's for the best I keep it a secret until it's revealed by itself.
Strategic silence. I had no obligation to report every hostile encounter. Rias had hired me for Stray Devil elimination, not comprehensive incident reports. What I did in my free time remained my business until it became relevant to our working relationship.
"Not much" I said evenly. Casual dismissal that wasn't technically lying "So, where is the other Devil you were—"
A polite knock interrupted my question.
"May I come in?" Sona's voice carried through the door.
Rias stood smoothly. She glanced at me briefly, nodding once. Confirmation that this was exactly who we'd been waiting for.
"Please, come in" Rias called, and the door opened to reveal two familiar faces. Both wearing Kuoh Academy uniforms with the kind of perfect presentation that made normal students look less disciplined by comparison.
Sona Sitri entered first. Black hair cut in a short, practical style that framed delicate features. Violet eyes behind thin-rimmed glasses surveyed the room with analytical intensity. The glasses caught light at angles that made reading her expression difficult. She carried herself with the rigid posture of someone who'd learned early that authority came from presentation. Someone who ran Kuoh's territory with the same efficient ruthlessness she probably applied to managing school events.
Her uniform was immaculate. The kind of perfect presentation that took genuine effort to maintain.
Following behind her came Tsubaki Shinra.
Tall. Noticeably taller than Sona, with the kind of height that made her presence immediately noticeable. Long black hair fell past her shoulders, swaying slightly with each step. She wore the uniform with the same precision as Sona. Professional presentation taken to its logical extreme.
Both of them stopped just inside the room. Sona's gaze swept across the space, taking in details with the efficiency of someone trained to assess situations rapidly.
"Good afternoon, Rias" Sona's voice remained measured. Polite but distant. The tone of professional colleagues rather than friends. "Akeno-san."
She turned toward me. Violet eyes behind glasses focused with laser precision.
"And you must be Motohama-kun" Her head inclined slightly with minimal acknowledgment "I am Sona Sitri, heiress to the Sitri clan. I oversee this territory alongside Rias, maintaining order and managing supernatural affairs within Kuoh's boundaries"
She gestured toward Tsubaki with one hand "This is Tsubaki Shinra, my Queen piece. She serves as Vice President of the Student Council and my most trusted advisor"
Tsubaki bowed "It's a pleasure to meet you, Motohama-kun"
"So what's the purpose of this meeting?" I kept my tone neutral. Curious but not overeager "We aren't just here for introductions, are we?"
Sona reached up. Fingers pressed against the bridge of her glasses, adjusting them slightly. The gesture looked habitual. Something she did when preparing to deliver important information.
"Indeed." Her voice took on a sharper edge "We have a developing situation that requires discussion. Fallen Angels have established a base of operations within our territory. Specifically, they're using the abandoned church on the outskirts as their hideout."
Rias's expression tightened slightly. Concern flickering across features before professional composure reasserted itself.
"The church has been abandoned for years," Rias said carefully "Technically neutral ground. We've avoided it out of respect for historical religious boundaries"
"That neutrality no longer applies when Fallen Angels occupy it" Sona's tone remained firm "Their presence represents a potential threat. The question is: What should we do about it?"
"We can't meddle with their affairs unless it directly involves us" Rias's voice carried frustration beneath careful control. Her gaze drifted toward me briefly.
I was still human. Not part of either peerage. Not officially connected to Devil politics beyond my contract work. The Fallen Angels' presence didn't automatically involve me.
Unless they made it involve me. Which Dohnaseek had helpfully done by trying to murder me last night.
Sona caught the look. Her analytical gaze shifted between Rias and me, calculating connections. "What's his situation exactly? He's clearly not part of your peerage, Rias. Yet you've involved him in supernatural affairs"
"Motohama-kun has agreed to work as an ally for the time being." Rias kept her explanation brief "He handles Stray Devil elimination contracts in exchange for basic magical knowledge. Human spell books, primarily. He's proven himself capable and reliable so far"
"Basic magical knowledge in exchange for fighting Stray Devils." Sona's eyes narrowed slightly behind her glasses. Skepticism evident in the minute tightening around her mouth. She turned toward me fully "Do you understand how strong Fallen Angels are, Motohama-kun? Even with a Sacred Gear, facing one in direct combat would be nearly impossible for someone at your level. They possess light-based abilities that are inherently lethal to Devils and extremely dangerous to humans. Their combat experience typically spans decades, if not centuries"
"I don't concern myself with them" The words came out dismissive. Exactly the kind of statement that would either make me look stupidly overconfident or dangerously capable.
I am already one Fallen Angel down, after all.
Sona studied me for a long moment. Her expression remained unreadable behind those glasses. Calculating threat assessment. Determining whether I was genuinely confident or suicidally stupid.
"Very well," she said finally "But understand that Fallen Angels operate differently than Stray Devils. They're organized, strategic, and significantly more powerful. If you encounter them, retreat should be your first priority"
I nodded in agreement.
The meeting continued. Discussions about monitoring the church, establishing patrol routes, coordinating responses if the Fallen Angels made aggressive moves. Devil politics mixed with tactical planning. Both Sona and Rias speaking with the ease of people who'd managed territory disputes before.
I listened. Contributed minimally. Learned what I could about their operational procedures.
Eventually the meeting wound down. Sona and Tsubaki left with the same silence they'd arrived with. The door closed behind them with a soft click. Rias exhaled slowly. Some tension leaving her shoulders now that the formal meeting had concluded.
"That went better than expected" she said quietly.
I wasn't entirely sure what she'd expected. But I nodded anyway.
---
Evening painted Kuoh's streets in shades of orange.
I walked through residential areas with my thoughts churning. The meeting kept replaying in my mind. Sona's warning about Fallen Angels. Her implicit concern about my survival chances. The careful way both Devil heiresses had skirted around directly ordering me to avoid the church.
They couldn't order me. I wasn't their servant. Just an ally. A contractor. Someone operating in their territory but not under their direct authority.
That independence cut both ways. Freedom to act, freedom to face consequences alone.
Even though I believe I can handle dangers, it wasn't entirely true.
DISC Creation gave me incredible versatility. The gacha system provided tools that broke conventional power scaling. But I wasn't invincible. Not even close. One lucky shot from a Fallen Angel could kill me just as dead as it would any other human.
What I know is plot. It's dangers to Issei and everyone around him.
But what about me?
I existed outside canon. My presence had already changed events. Dohnaseek was dead instead of actively scheming. Asia had met me instead of wandering lost until Issei found her. Small changes, but changes nonetheless.
These minor alterations could cascade into completely different outcomes. With the gacha system and its rewards, I would certainly attract attention.
Strength attracted attention. Power drew challenges. Success invited envy. The supernatural world ran on those principles. Every faction constantly measuring threats, seeking advantages, eliminating competition before it became insurmountable.
And it's not certain that the Hero Faction or other unrevealed factions won't make a move against me.
The thought chilled me. The Hero Faction wouldn't appear for a while in canon. Cao Cao and his band of human supremacists who wielded Longinus-class Sacred Gears and genuinely believed humanity should rule over supernatural beings. Dangerous, fanatical, and very good at killing things that supposedly refused to join them.
Would they notice me? Someone human wielding abilities that didn't fit normal Sacred Gear classifications? Someone operating outside Devil, Angel, and Fallen Angel hierarchies?
Probably. Eventually. When they started seriously monitoring Kuoh.
The principle applied universally. Gods, Devils, Dragons, Fallen Angels, every faction in this world. They all watched for emerging threats, potential allies, useful tools. I was becoming all three simultaneously.
I'd been so focused on surviving immediate dangers that I'd neglected the long-term implications.
The training grounds beckoned ahead. Empty field on Kuoh's outskirts where I could practice without witnesses. Work on combat techniques, test new abilities, actually prepare for the escalating conflicts I knew were coming.
"Excuse me?"
The uncertain feminine voice came from behind.
I stopped walking and turned around as my mind went blank for a few seconds.
The woman standing five feet away looked like she'd stepped directly out of fashion magazine advertising. Tall, easily five-foot-eight or taller. Long blue hair, Violet eyes studied me with expression hovering between hopeful and slightly nervous. She wore a long brown trench coat despite the relatively warm evening, belted at the waist to emphasize curves that made teenage boys very aware of their own awkwardness.
Kalawarner. Fallen Angel. One of Raynare's subordinates operating in Kuoh.
Have I just lost my cover in a day?
Panic spiked immediately. Dohnaseek was dead. I'd killed him, extracted his Sacred Gear, eliminated one of their four-person team. If they'd noticed his absence, if they'd somehow connected it to me, if Raynare had sent Kalawarner to investigate...
This could go very badly very quickly.
Kalawarner held up a small piece of paper. Unfolded it slightly so I could see handwritten address. "Sorry to bother you" she said, and the awkwardness in her voice sounded genuine "But could you show me directions to this location? I'm new to the area and completely lost for the past hour"
I stared at the paper. Then I looked at her and only one thought came to my mind.
What the hell are Fallen Angels planning?
. . .
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