Several days later, I decided to visit Asia. On the way, I stopped by that limited cream puff shop just in case, and miraculously got three. Lucky. I need to make sure I don't run into Raynare and the others.
Following the address I looked up, I continued walking for dozens of minutes. The area had become completely dark. This is bad - I didn't think it would take this long. It might be a bother to visit now. Alright, I'll just give her the cream puffs and go home. With that decision, the church finally appeared before me.
Now, where is Asia? For now, let me enter the chapel in front of me and ask someone inside if they're there about her whereabouts.
Quietly opening the double doors, inside stood a man dressed as a priest. No, rather than a man, maybe a young man?
"Hmm? Hey hey, I totally thought those damn devil kids would come, but who are you?"
His language seems a bit rough for a priest, but that outfit is definitely someone related to the church. Perfect, I'll ask him.
"Excuse me, I think there's a girl named Asia Argento here."
"Oh my? Knowing Asia-tan means you might be one of those damn devil kids' companions? How sad. A human getting along with devils. Such a disappointing you should... die here!"
"!?"
My body moved before I could think. In that instant, the priest swept through where my head had been with a glowing sword.
Officer! Here! There's a crazy priest violating weapons laws here! What is that sword anyway!?
"Ah damn, don't dodge! Stay still! Otherwise I can't kill you!"
"What are you doing?"
"I'm saying I'm going to kill you! Do you have maggots in your brain!?"
While shouting irritably, the crazy priest pulled out a pistol from his pocket. A pistol!? This is bad…
"Here, bang!"
The crazy priest pulled the trigger without any hesitation. And the fired bullet pierced straight into my chest... or didn't.
As if blocked by an invisible wall, the bullet stopped moving and eventually fell to the ground. This is... could it be a barrier? Wait, does Orgone Cloud activate even without taking Raftclans form?
"Hey hey hey hey! What are you!? If you're a Sacred Gear user, say so first!"
Sacred Gear? What's that, something delicious? This isn't the time to joke around. This situation is bad. I need to somehow subdue this crazy priest.
As I was trying to think of what to do, the crazy priest quickly approached me and swung his sword down again. Against the approaching blade, I caught it by sandwiching it between both hands. This is... catching a blade with bare hands!
"What!?"
While looking at the shocked crazy priest, I screamed in my head.
M-more importantly, now that the crazy priest is frozen is my chance. If I take away this sword now! Thinking that, the moment I put strength into my gripping hands, the sword crumbled helplessly in my hands.
(Eh, do swords break this easily? This is just like a toy... toy?)
I understood at that moment. I see! That sword was a toy! So this crazy priest was just playing around swinging toys? Was that gun from before also a toy?
"...You, what the hell are you really? There's no way an ordinary human could shatter that sword..."
"Anyone could break a toy of that level if they put their mind to it."
"Toy!? Haha, this is great! Of all things to call it a toy! I give up! I can't deal with a monster like you!"
"Ha?"
It was sudden. The crazy priest raised both hands as if surrendering.
"So I'll make my escape here. Even those damn fallen angels are finished against you."
Um... so he's letting me go? Against my confusion, the crazy priest pointed toward the back.
"Your beloved Asia-tan is in the basement. Feel free to rescue her if you want - it's got nothing to do with me anymore. Well then, bye-bye."
Saying that, the crazy priest quickly left the chapel. What was that all about? Since he told me Asia's location at the end, is he actually a good person? No no! Even if they were toys, someone who points swords and guns at you can't be a good person! Don't be fooled, me.
I became very worried about Asia. I left the box with cream puffs there and headed in the direction the crazy priest had pointed. There was a cleverly hidden staircase. The atmosphere seems really dangerous. But having come this far, I have to go.
Going down the stairs, there was only one path. And when I confirmed a huge door at the very back, I was about to walk toward it... that's when it happened.
"Help me! Ryouma-san!"
That was undoubtedly Asia's voice. At that unusual tone, I immediately started running. When a girl makes such a voice, it's... a cockroach !? Did a cockroach appear!? Honestly, I'm not good with them either, but Asia must be even worse with them. Then I should deal with it in her place...!
Thinking such things, I opened the door. A shocking scene spread before me.
----
Asia's Pov
"Now, Asia, have you made your resolve?"
Raynare smiled. But now I understand. That smile contains no kindness or affection whatsoever.
The reason I was sent here. What was about to be done to me. And what awaited me as a result. Raynare told me all of it.
"By obtaining your Sacred Gear... Twilight Healing, I will become the supreme fallen angel! Then I will be able to receive the favor of those people!"
Raynare spoke with an ecstatic face. In contrast, Kalawarner and Mittelt beside her showed somewhat uncomfortable expressions.
"Onee-sama... are you really going to do this?"
At Mittelt's words, Raynare changed her expression.
"What are you saying now, Mittelt? We're almost at our goal, aren't we?"
"That's... true. But somehow, I wonder if this was really the right thing to do. Maybe there were other ways to be loved by those people. I wonder why. Until recently I never thought about such things."
"Is it because of that human?"
Mittelt's body trembled. I can't imagine what happened. But I could somehow understand that a certain person had some kind of influence on these people.
"...That's right. I had my thoughts too. But it's too late now. We've come to a point of no return. ...Now, this conversation is over. Let's begin the ritual."
Raynare approached me.
"Accept it, Asia. This too is a trial given by your Lord."
This is a trial? Accepting death is a trial?
(...No.)
If it had been me a little while ago, I might have accepted it. But now it's different.
"Then... let's be friends."
"Asia, I'll be your friend. No, we're already friends."
Because now I have two wonderful friends that I've always wanted!
Death is approaching. Fear wells up, though it's too late now. I want to be helped. I want to be saved from death.
"If you have any troubles or need help, call me. I'll come running anytime, anywhere."
In the midst of that, I suddenly remembered the promise I made with him. It might have been just a casual promise for him. There's no way he could know I'm in this situation. ...Even so, remembering his kind expression from that time, I couldn't help but scream.
"Help me! Ryouma-san!"
"Ryouma? I don't know who that is, but help isn't coming..."
Bang! The door opened vigorously, interrupting Raynare's words. And... he stood beyond it.
"Ryouma... san."
My scream that shouldn't have reached. But he... came for me.
"What are... what are you doing?"
Ryouma spoke. At that moment, I had the illusion that the temperature in the room had dropped drastically. Raynare widened her eyes, Kalawarner's face paled, and Mittelt was trembling.
Everyone understood in an instant. Ryouma was angry. Intensely enough to affect those around him. I felt fear at that sight, but at the same time something warm welled up in my chest.
Because Ryouma was angry for my sake. Furthermore, when Ryouma made eye contact with me, he smiled gently just like that time and said:
"Don't worry, I'll save you right away."
At those words, at that figure, I felt endless reliability. Just like... a knight from a fairy tale...
Asia's End Pov
"Ryouma...."
The scene that jumped into my eyes... First, many people. All of them were gripping glowing swords like that crazy priest from before. So these guys are also church people.
A giant cross towering behind them. For some reason, Raynare and the others were near it. And... Asia crucified on that cross.
"What are... what are you doing?"
Don't mess around... don't mess around with me! Was inviting Asia here for this purpose!
That kind, pure, innocent Asia... involving her in such a maniacally incomprehensible play like crucifixion play! You bastards! Not only did you hurt Asia, but you're subjecting her to such humiliation! What is crucifixion play anyway!? I can't understand what's fun about it! And I don't want to!
My eyes met Asia's. She looked like she was about to cry. Of course - having a friend see her in such an embarrassing outfit. But it's okay. Big brother understands. You didn't want this yourself. Being the kind person you are, you probably couldn't refuse when asked.
But first... I'll beat up all these perverts here!