◉◉◉◉◉
In Anos's view, Diadora was bold to the point of arrogance.
There was only one reason Diadora would be in Kuoh.
He was tracking Asia.
After all, he had orchestrated the scheme that led to her expulsion from the Church. The goal had never been subtle. He wanted her, not just her body—
But the sight of a holy, innocent girl falling from grace.
Before that, though, he needed confirmation.
If Fallen Angels had already "spoiled" her before he claimed her, he would be furious.
His original plan had been simple.
Wait for the Fallen Angels to seize her Sacred Gear.
Then intervene dramatically.
Retrieve the Sacred Gear.
Grant her one of his Evil Pieces.
Revive her.
Turn her into his peerage.
In one move, she would belong to him completely.
Rescued heroically, brought back from death Asia would see him as her savior, her pillar.
Then, at the perfect moment, he would whisper the truth.
It was me, I planned your exile. I engineered everything just to have you, my saint.
Her world would shatter.
And Diadora—
He delighted in the image of a saint collapsing into despair.
To claim her in that broken state?
To him, that was the highest pleasure.
That was the creed of Diadora Astaroth.
Anos had no comment on the man's particular "desire system."
If he was being honest, parts of it weren't entirely foreign to him either.
But Diadora's method—
Manipulation, humiliation, exploitation—
It was garbage.
That alone irritated him But the real reason was simpler.
Diadora was trying to take what Anos had already chosen.
That was enough.
---
Diadora paced anxiously.
Should he approach Asia now?
"The Fallen Angels failed, There's no longer a chance to play hero by retrieving her Sacred Gear."
That was problem number one.
Problem number two—
Ophis.
He didn't know her identity, but the silent black-haired girl beside Asia was anything but ordinary.
Earlier, he had followed Asia more closely.
Every time he directed his gaze toward her—
He met Ophis' eyes instead.
Again and again.
There was no coincidence there.
Worse—
He couldn't sense her power at all.
Which meant she was above him.
Far Far above.
That alone made him hesitate.
And now—
The man who had eliminated Raynare had appeared beside Asia as well.
Anyone capable of defeating Raynare so easily was at least Upper-Class Devil level.
Equal to Diadora himself.
With two such figures around Asia, events were slipping beyond his control.
Should he withdraw?
If he retreated now, everything he had invested would be wasted.
He was still debating when—
He realized too late that Asia herself had already approached him.
"Anos-san? That's… that's the man I once helped…"
Asia recognized him instantly.
This was the man she had healed.
He had been lying injured, pleading for help.
She had never hesitated.
And when word spread that a saint could heal devils—
The Church had made its decision.
A holy institution could not afford the destabilization of faith.
No matter how Michael might have felt personally, order had to be maintained.
Asia, an orphan raised within Church walls, revered as a saint from childhood, had never understood politics.
She had endured more hardship than anyone knew.
"Asia, there's no time for nostalgia."
Anos' voice cut gently through her thoughts.
"Lord… I did save this devil, but…"
She hurried to explain.
Saving a devil might have seemed natural to her—
But what if, in God's eyes, it was unforgivable?
Why else would the Lord appear now?
"Your compassion wasn't wrong," Anos said calmly. "I don't object to you healing a devil."
He looked directly at Diadora.
"I object to the devil you healed."
"All forms of life may deserve salvation. But not every individual deserves to be saved. Do you understand?"
Asia lowered her head slightly.
"Yes… I will remember your teaching."
She had reverted to calling him "Lord" again.
"Remember this one," Anos added quietly. "He is not worth saving."
Asia was too kind.
She believed in the goodness of others far too easily.
"Why…?" she asked softly. "Mr. Diadora always seemed so kind…"
He had always appeared polite. Refined.
Anos' expression didn't change.
"Because he deliberately arranged for the Church to witness you healing a devil."
The words were delivered gently.
But they struck like a blade.
Asia's pupils shrank.
If that was true—
If he had orchestrated everything—
Then her exile…
Her suffering…
Had it all been planned?
◉◉◉◉◉
~Support with 300 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
◉◉◉◉◉
For early access to advanced chapters on P-atreon:
P-atreon/iamxeno
(Just remove the - hyphen to access Patreon normally)
Thank you so much for your support and for reading!