Chapter 42: The Saint and the Dragon

"Can you tell me where the church is?"

"The Lord will surely bless you!"

Asia Argento's emerald eyes lit up the moment she realized Renji truly knew the church's location.

Her hands clenched together in silent prayer, radiating an innocent devotion that felt almost unreal.

But then—

Grrrrrrr…

A loud growl echoed.

It came from Asia's stomach.

She immediately froze, her cheeks turning crimson.

The embarrassment was clear.

Renji smirked.

"It seems like you haven't eaten in a while," he noted. "We were just about to head home for dinner. If you don't mind, why don't you eat with us first?"

"The church isn't going anywhere."

Asia blinked in surprise.

"R-Really? Is that okay?" she asked cautiously, her voice filled with hope.

It was as if the very word "food" held magical power over her.

"Of course," Renji said with a casual wave.

"And you don't have to call me 'sir.' My name is Renji."

A brilliant smile spread across Asia's face.

"That's wonderful, Mr. Renji! You are such a good person! The Lord will surely bless you!"

Renji felt a twinge of guilt.

Asia was too pure—too trusting.

It was clear she had no experience navigating deception or cruelty.

From the side, Koneko Toujou narrowed her eyes at him.

"…Senior pervert."

Renji twitched.

"Oi."

Koneko huffed, her small arms crossed.

"Taking a nun home right after meeting her? Suspicious."

Renji sighed.

With that, the duo became a trio.

---

The moment Renji opened the door to his home—

A familiar voice greeted him.

"Welcome back!"

It was Medusa (Rider).

"I've already made dinner," she announced, stepping out of the kitchen with two dishes in hand. "It's not as good as yours, Master, but—"

She paused mid-sentence.

Her gaze locked onto Asia.

An eerie silence settled in.

Then—

Medusa sighed dramatically, placing a hand on her forehead.

"I didn't realize my Master's appetite was this insatiable…"

She shook her head in mock sorrow.

"First Koneko-chan… and now a nun?"

Asia's eyes widened.

Her innocent mind immediately accepted Medusa's words as truth.

She turned to Renji, uncertainty in her expression.

"U-Um… Mr. Renji, are you…?"

Renji facepalmed.

"Medusa, knock it off."

Smack.

He lightly chopped her on the head.

Medusa stuck out her tongue playfully before slipping back into her usual, graceful Onee-san demeanor.

Asia, however, was still staring at Renji with newfound suspicion.

"Let's eat," Renji sighed.

Crisis averted… barely.

...

Dinner was surprisingly peaceful.

Asia, despite her initial shyness, ate enthusiastically.

It was obvious—she hadn't eaten a proper meal in a long time.

Afterward, Asia tried to leave, insisting that she could find the church on her own.

But Renji stopped her.

"It's already late," he said. "It's dangerous to wander around at night. I'll take you in the morning."

Asia hesitated.

"But I don't want to impose…"

"You're not," Renji interrupted smoothly.

Before she could argue further, Medusa gently guided her upstairs to prepare a guest room.

"Come along, Asia-chan~," Medusa smiled. "I'll help you settle in."

Asia was too polite to refuse.

As she left, Koneko—who had remained silent—finally spoke.

"Senior Renji… this nun isn't ordinary, is she?"

Renji raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? Noticed something, huh?"

Koneko frowned slightly, her cat-like instincts on high alert.

"You're a pervert, but you're not the type to kidnap church girls off the street for no reason."

Renji twitched again.

"Could you stop phrasing it like that?"

Koneko ignored him.

"So? What's special about her?"

Renji leaned back against the couch.

"Her name is Asia Argento," he explained. "And more importantly… she possesses the Sacred Gear known as Twilight Healing."

Koneko's golden eyes widened slightly.

"A healing-type Sacred Gear?"

Renji nodded.

"Not just any healing ability. Twilight Healing can heal any wound, even those of devils. As long as she's alive, she can theoretically restore anyone to perfect health."

Koneko's mind raced.

Then—

She looked at Renji again, eyes filled with realization.

"You're planning to bring her into Rias-senpai's peerage."

Renji smirked.

"Bingo."

Rias had been searching for the right members to strengthen her peerage.

And Asia?

She was already cast out of the Church—labeled a heretic for using her powers on a devil.

She had nowhere to go.

If she became Rias's Bishop, she wouldn't have to suffer the tragic fate she did in the original timeline.

Renji wasn't about to let her be betrayed and discarded again.

"If we play this right," he said, "Asia won't have to suffer. She'll have a home, a real family."

Koneko listened quietly.

Then—

She gave a small nod.

She approved.

And with that—

Asia's destiny began to change.

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