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Asia sensed something was off.
"Ophis? Did you see someone?"
Ophis had turned to look behind them, while Asia had been facing forward.
"Yes, Someone… unusual."
That was the longest sentence Ophis had spoken since meeting her.
Usually it was just "Mm." "Yes." "…."
Asia still thought she was simply helping a lost little girl find her parents.
Ophis, meanwhile, was merely observing the blonde, blue-eyed individual named Asia, Staying near her felt… pleasant.
"Unusual?"
Asia turned around—
And something extremely rare happened right in front of Anos.
"Tap—"
She shifted her footing slightly—
And somehow tangled her step with Ophis'.
"…?"
Ophis's eyes widened faintly in surprise as Asia's awkward misstep pulled her off balance as well.
Could humans really be this clumsy?
"Thud! Thud!"
Two impacts.
Asia fell—
Taking Ophis down with her.
Anos blinked.
So not only did Asia possess the legendary "trip on flat ground" skill…
She also had the "buy one, get one free" bonus effect.
Because of that remarkable talent, Anos was treated to an unexpected view.
"…Right."
He had anticipated Asia would be white.
But—
The Dragon God, as rumored, really didn't wear any.
So the legends were true.
Ophis did not, in fact, bother with underwear.
"Ah—ow ow ow…"
"Ophis-chan! Are you okay?"
Asia's first reaction wasn't to check herself.
It was to worry about Ophis.
"I'm fine."
Ophis answered calmly, as though nothing had happened.
"Are you alright?"
A different voice this time.
Warm.
Gentle.
Just hearing it made Asia feel as though her soul had been washed clean.
"I—I'm fine…"
She looked up.
A black-haired, dark-eyed young man stood before her.
Without thinking, she reached out.
Only after their hands touched did she realize what she had done and attempt to pull back.
Anos didn't let her.
If she let go now, she would probably fall again.
"Be careful next time."
He helped the absent-minded blonde to her feet in one smooth motion.
"Th-thank you… Sir?"
She hesitated over the form of address.
"My name is Anos Kanzaki. You can call me Anos, Kanzaki, or whatever feels natural."
He smiled.
Asia truly was adorably clumsy.
"Kanzaki… the 'Kami' in Kanzaki—is that the same 'Kami' as God?"
She asked shyly.
She wasn't fully comfortable with the language yet, but the sound had seemed similar.
"Close enough."
He considered it for a moment.
Perhaps fate had a sense of humor.
"Your name feels… miraculous," Asia said softly. "You must be blessed by God."
For some reason, the moment she saw him, she felt he was a good person.
"You're not from around here, are you?" Anos asked gently. "What brought you to this town?"
---
Inside a café.
Ophis examined a glass of milk with visible curiosity.
"Hmmmmmmm"
The Infinite Dragon God displayed what could only be described as mild astonishment.
"So you came here for the church?" Anos said after listening for a while. "Unfortunately, it's been abandoned for quite some time."
"Yes, I know, that's alright. I was only planning to pass through."
Asia's smile held a quiet sadness.
She was a nun exiled by the Church.
There weren't many places left for her.
She had come to Kuoh because she'd heard the Fallen Angels here might take her in.
"I think there's been a misunderstanding," Anos added.
"A misunderstanding?"
"It's not just abandoned by Heaven. The Fallen Angels have abandoned it too."
He was telling the truth.
There were no Fallen Angels left in Kuoh.
"Angels… Fallen Angels… You… you know about all that?"
Asia covered her mouth.
Was he part of that hidden world as well?
"Yes, I removed the Fallen Angels here myself. If something unclean lingers, it should be dealt with."
He said it calmly.
He didn't hate Fallen Angels as a race.
He simply disliked corruption.
Someone like Akeno didn't bother him at all.
Ophis glanced sideways briefly—
Then returned her attention to the milk.
Milk was fascinating.
"Y-you eliminated them? Then Lady Raynare… she's gone too?"
Asia's eyes widened.
Was their meeting not a coincidence?
Had he come for her as well?
To eliminate her just like the Fallen Angels?
Her expression shifted to that of a startled rabbit.
"No I came to invite you."
Anos smiled, reading her thoughts easily.
"…Invite me?"
She pointed at herself.
Invite her—
For what?
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