Chapter 43: The Fallen Angel Trio

The Ruined Church

"The only church in this town is here. But as you can see, it's been abandoned for a long time."

Renji and Asia Argento stood in front of the dilapidated church, its towering structure now worn and crumbling with time.

Asia looked at it with hesitation in her eyes.

"Are you sure this is the place you're looking for?" Renji asked.

His senses were sharp.

Within the church's decayed walls, he could feel three distinct auras—Fallen Angels.

They were waiting.

Asia clutched her hands together, looking at the building with uncertainty.

After all, ever since she had been cast out of the Church, she had nowhere to go.

She had accepted an invitation from an exorcist group—believing she was being given a second chance.

But she had no idea…

That this so-called exorcist organization was led by Fallen Angels.

And now, she was here—completely unaware of the danger ahead.

---

Inside the Church

Deep within the church's ruins, three Fallen Angels gathered.

A sultry woman with raven-black wings and a curvaceous body leaned lazily against a wall.

Her name—Kalawarna.

"Really now… where the hell did Raynare go? She hasn't come back yet," she muttered in annoyance.

Beside her, a blonde twin-tailed girl crossed her arms, pouting.

"Maybe she got herself killed," Mittelt said, completely unbothered.

The third figure—a tall man with a thick coat and a smug smirk—Dohnaseek—let out a chuckle.

"Wouldn't surprise me," he remarked. "Raynare always had a bad habit of underestimating humans."

There was no concern in their voices.

Despite working together, their loyalty was thin.

Raynare being dead? Not their problem.

Kalawarna shrugged.

"Still, we should be careful. Raynare was stronger than all of us. If she's dead, it means something dangerous is out there."

Dohnaseek paused, his smirk fading slightly.

But before they could continue—

Mittelt's sharp eyes caught movement from the church window.

She smirked.

"Well, well… the saint finally arrived."

Kalawarna and Dohnaseek turned their gazes toward the entrance.

And just as Mittelt said—

Asia was standing outside the church.

And beside her—

A strange human.

Their expressions darkened.

---

The Fallen Angel trio stepped outside, their black wings spread wide, their smirks dripping with cruel amusement.

They didn't even bother hiding their presence.

After all—

Asia was just a helpless girl.

And the human next to her? Irrelevant.

"Thank you, Mr. Renji," Asia said, turning to him. "I think this is the right place."

Renji said nothing.

His sharp gaze was locked onto the three figures approaching them.

"Wait," he said, placing a hand in front of Asia.

Asia blinked in confusion.

Then—

She saw them.

Her body tensed.

"Those are… Fallen Angels?"

For the first time, Asia felt fear.

The church she had devoted her life to… was now occupied by heretics.

She took a small step backward.

"Why are they here? What happened to the priests?"

Her voice trembled.

Dohnaseek grinned, sensing her panic.

"You must be the little saint with Twilight Healing," he said mockingly.

Mittelt scoffed.

"Ugh. Even from here, I can smell her disgusting faith."

Kalawarna smirked, her blue eyes glinting.

"But isn't that perfect? The more devoted they are… the more fun they are to break."

Asia's breath hitched.

She still didn't understand.

Why were Fallen Angels in the church?

What had happened to the priests?

She still believed… that this was just a misunderstanding.

"Why?!" she asked, her voice wavering.

"Why are Fallen Angels in the Holy Church?!"

"What did you do to the priests?!"

The three laughed.

Then—

Dohnaseek stepped forward, his wings twitching with amusement.

"You really don't get it?"

"You've been a pawn since the beginning."

Asia froze.

Mittelt giggled.

"From the moment you met those 'exorcists,' everything was planned. We led you here on purpose."

Kalawarna crossed her arms.

"And now, we're taking what we really came for—your Sacred Gear."

Asia's blood ran cold.

"Why?"

Her voice was barely a whisper now.

Dohnaseek grinned wider.

"Because you have something you shouldn't."

Asia's legs felt weak.

She had been lied to.

Used.

Betrayed.

The people she had trusted were never on her side.

And now—

She had nowhere left to run.

The Fallen Angels soaked in her despair, their smiles twisted in sadistic pleasure.

"That's the face," Mittelt whispered. "I love it when they break."

Kalawarna chuckled.

"It's such a shame we have to kill her. I'd love to see how much she screams."

Asia shook.

Tears welled up in her emerald eyes.

She clutched her hands together, silently praying.

As if—

If she just believed hard enough, the Lord would save her.

Then—

A warm hand rested on her head.

Asia's teary eyes widened in shock.

A familiar voice broke through the tension.

"Don't give up, Asia."

Renji stood beside her, eyes calm and unwavering.

"The Lord hasn't abandoned you."

He smiled.

"And neither have I."

Asia froze.

She looked up at him, eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

In this moment—

She realized.

She wasn't alone anymore.

And the Fallen Angels?

They had made a huge mistake.

Renji's crimson gauntlet glowed ominously as a voice echoed from within.

[Boost.]

Power surged through his arm.

His eyes narrowed.

"Now then…"

Renji took a step forward, his smirk turning sharp.

"Who wants to die first?"

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