Freed's deranged laughter ricocheted through the house, warping the air with its manic edge. Tenra's eyes narrowed, gaze hardening to steel.
The truth of God's death—an open secret among the highest ranks of angels, fallen angels, and devils—had been buried for centuries. The angelic hierarchy feared the chaos that would erupt if believers learned their deity was gone; faith would collapse, riots would follow. Devils and fallen angels had their own reasons to keep silent—a mob of faithless, desperate humans could trigger another mythic war, and none of the factions could survive that now.
Tenra had always known the truth. It didn't faze him. Raynare, for all her angelic veneer, was fallen through and through; whether God lived or died was none of her concern. She watched the drama unfold with detached amusement.
But in that room, no one was more shaken than Asia.
She wanted desperately to deny it, to cling to the hope that Freed was lying. But deep down, her intuition whispered that he spoke the truth.
Her Lord—her only anchor—might truly be gone.
"Tenra-san… is this real?"
Asia's voice was barely a whisper, eyes pleading for any answer but the one she feared.
A friend, in moments like this, should offer comfort—a gentle lie to soothe the pain. But Tenra knew the truth mattered more, for Asia and for his own designs.
So he gave her the cruel honesty.
"Yeah. God's dead. He fell in the ancient war. Michael and the other Seraphs have kept it secret so faith wouldn't shatter."
Asia stared at him, lips trembling, then crumpled to the floor in a silent faint.
Tenra caught her, holding her gently.
Sorry, he thought.
In the original story, Asia had already left the Church and become a devil when she learned the truth—her faith was shaken, but not destroyed. Now, though, she'd been cast out for helping a devil, stranded in an unfamiliar town, lost and alone. Her faith was all she had left, the one thing that turned suffering into purpose. She believed her hardships were God's trial, and that belief kept her going.
This was the strongest her faith had ever been.
And now, at her most devout, the truth landed like a thunderbolt, shattering everything she'd clung to.
Freed broke into hysterical laughter, his face twisted with glee.
"She's broken! Asia-chan's faith is shattered!"
He'd been just like her once—faithful, then crushed, then lost to darkness.
Would Asia follow him down the same path?
Tenra shot Freed a glare cold enough to freeze hellfire. Freed felt it—his laughter died in his throat.
"Kill him," Tenra said quietly, lifting Asia and heading for the door.
"As you wish, Master."
Raynare licked her lips, eyes alight with predatory hunger, and stalked toward Freed.
Freed folded his arms, feigning terror.
"Hey, Raynare, what are you— Don't come closer… don't—AHHH!"
BOOM!
Fire roared, shaking the street. Tenra walked away, Asia cradled in his arms. Raynare appeared beside him a moment later.
"You let him get away?" Tenra frowned.
Raynare scowled. "He faked surrender, then slipped away while I was distracted."
"Don't let it happen again."
"…Yes."
Tenra hadn't really scolded her, but Raynare's pride burned. Cold fury flashed in her eyes.
Next time, Freed, you're dead.
The next morning—
"Mmm… Where am I?"
Asia blinked awake in a strange room, sunlight filtering through gauzy curtains.
"You're awake, Miss Asia."
She turned to see two beautiful maids smiling gently.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Maru."
"I'm Birento."
"We're Tenra-sama's maids and family. He asked us to take care of you."
Asia relaxed a little, surprised but reassured by their kindness.
"Um… Where did Tenra-san go?"
"Tenra-sama and the others are at school. He'll be home after classes."
"This is porridge Tenra-sama made himself, and he insisted you eat it."
Maru and Birento set a steaming bowl before her, answering each question with quiet warmth.
Asia's stomach rumbled. She thanked them shyly and began to eat, cheeks pink under their watchful gaze. Each spoonful was simple—just rice and water—but she could taste Tenra's care in every bite. For someone as gentle as Asia, that kindness was enough to fill her heart.
"Would you like more, Miss Asia?" Maru asked, seeing the empty bowl.
"N-no, thank you…"
Asia's appetite was tiny; that one bowl had satisfied her completely.
She hesitated, wanting to ask more, but Maru and Birento gently cut her off.
"We know you have questions, but please wait until Tenra-sama returns. You've suffered a shock—your body and spirit need rest. We'll be just outside; call if you need anything."
"This is something Tenra-sama wanted you to have. If you're bored, perhaps you can read it."
Maru handed her a thick, leather-bound tome. Both maids bowed and left quietly.
Asia stared at the book, her heart still aching but warmed by Tenra's thoughtfulness. She ran her fingers over the cover.
"Sacred Scripture…?"
Curiosity flickered in her eyes. She opened the book, searching for answers.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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