After dinner began, the absent companions were all at the garrison. Sei and Asia sat together like sisters.
Asia quickly treated Sei as a close friend. Even though it was their first meeting, she could converse freely without any nervousness.
Asia had just arrived in Japan and was unfamiliar with chopsticks. Fearful of making mistakes, she held them tightly in her hands, unsure how to proceed.
Seeing this, Sei couldn't help but smile, patiently teaching Asia how to use them.
After about two or three minutes, Asia finally understood a little about using chopsticks.
The others at the table were considerate. Greedy little Laffey helped Asia with her food, and the tsundere Haruna even placed her favorite dishes in front of her.
Feeling the straightforward kindness from everyone in this house, Asia was deeply touched and warmed. It was her first time enjoying a meal so warmly with friends.
Previously, at the church, she only ate with her fellow nuns, simple Western food. After saving a devil, she was labeled heretic and witch, and her friends distanced themselves.
Back then, Asia felt abandoned by the world. She didn't blame anyone or think saving a devil was wrong. The young nun devoted herself to praying, believing it was God's test.
And indeed, God hadn't abandoned her. On her first day in a foreign land, she encountered such kind people.
'Lord, thank You for having mercy on Asia…'
"Cough, cough…" ×2
Three people could hear the young nun's thoughts. Eu had a good impression of this innocent nun, while Raize and the Biblical loli God coughed abnormally upon hearing it, their expressions slightly strange.
Sei and Raize exchanged glances. Raize gave a gallant look toward Sei, making her feel a bit embarrassed.
Even though she was slacking off in retirement, Asia sincerely thanked the "Lord" in her heart for any good fortune.
Sei, this Biblical loli God, felt guilty.
(Raize: Do something productive, Biblical loli God~)
(Sei: Ah~ slacking is fun~)
"Th-thank you very much, Mr. Raize. This meal is the most delicious I've ever had."
After eating, Asia shyly thanked Raize.
"You're welcome. The best… I don't deserve that…"
Raize, making a fruit drink for Laffey, waved it off. She thought Asia sounded pitiful, as if she'd never eaten anything good.
"No, really!"
Asia waved her hands quickly.
"Before, I only ate bread and some other food at the church. I've never eaten such a delicious meal. Thank you, Mr. Raize, and thank You, Lord, for guiding me!"
Her face radiated a brilliant smile. Her sincerity made Eu and Haruna glance at her.
Haruna also realized how innocent and kind this young nun was. Raize bringing her back was a good choice; such a girl alone outside was worrisome.
Raize's gaze drifted toward the slightly restless Biblical loli God. The more Asia acted like this, the guiltier this deity felt.
"Cough, cough. Asia, since you have nowhere to go, stay here from now on."
Calming down and sipping post-meal tea, Sei decided to compensate the young nun, smiling gently as she invited her.
"Eh!? Th-this is too troublesome… I… I already accepted the invitation from the Kouh Town church branch. To back out now…"
Asia's heart leapt at the invitation. She was tempted, but having already accepted the church's invitation, it felt wrong to go back on it.
Conflicting feelings stirred in Asia. One side was the church that would accept her, the other a place that gave her long-lost warmth.
"Don't go to Kouh Town. It's full of Devils and Fallen angels. The church there no longer exists. You know you were under an organization governed by fallen angels. Now there's a better choice—why not take it?"
Raize, who had arranged cat supplies for Scarlet, spoke sharply.
Your Lord is right here. Isn't this a better place?
Would you let devout and kind Asia die in that place like the original story, becoming a reincarnated devil? Not to mention if Raize agreed or not, Sei in this room definitely wouldn't.
She might be retired and slacking, but she couldn't ignore it once she saw it.
"But I… I'm just an expelled witch. Being with fallen angels is… only natural."
Asia lowered her head, speaking in a self-deprecating and sorrowful whisper. Clearly, she didn't want to mingle with fallen angels, but did she even deserve to stay here as a heretic witch?
Haruna, seeing this, felt inexplicably angry. Angry at Asia's attitude, and furious at the church she mentioned. She frowned and said:
"If you're a witch, then the church has no good in it. Decide according to your heart. Stop blaming yourself for everything!"
Straightforward Haruna communicated in her own way. Though brief, who wouldn't like a child so kind-hearted like Asia?
Haruna grew fond of this weak-acting Asia. Everyone in this house had a favorable impression of her and wouldn't mind her staying.
Besides, fallen angels weren't impressive anyway. Haruna had seen them before, aside from the ones that attacked Eu, she had encountered a few.
They were nothing enjoyable.
"Asia is not a witch. Asia is good. Laffey doesn't dislike Asia."
Lazy Laffey changed her previous lazy expression, standing seriously beside Asia.
As a ship girl born from a Wisdom Cube, Laffey couldn't read minds but could sense mental and spiritual fluctuations through her innate ability, which Raize, her contractor, felt deeply.
To Laffey, Asia was an undeniably kind person, and the ship girl liked being near such beings.
Eu also didn't oppose Asia staying. Though she didn't say much, Raize knew she had a favorable impression of Asia.
Being trusted like this deeply moved Asia. At this moment, Raize came before her, opening his right palm under Asia's curious gaze.
Hum~~
Golden, sacred light transformed into sparkling starlight, scattering over Asia. Her eyes widened in astonishment, her tiny body trembling.
Not from fear, but excitement. This supreme sacred power made Asia feel warm and peaceful.
"See, this light neither hates nor rejects you. The witch accusations are false. If you were evil, you would already feel pain. How do you feel now, Asia?"
Raize withdrew the light, smiling at Asia's excited face.
"A-Asia feels peaceful… My body feels warm… Mr. Raize, a-are you… an angel!?"
Such holy power inevitably made Asia misinterpret. Could the being with such sacred warmth before her be a hidden angel?
Had the Lord heard her prayers and sent an angel to test her faith?
Wake up, girl. Didn't you notice Sei nearby feeling embarrassed? At this rate, she might dig out a three-room apartment with her toes.
"I'm not an angel, just a being with a bit of divine power. Now, Asia, stay here, understood?"
Listening to Asia's excited inner voice alongside Sei, Raize felt a bit awkward. This shy-looking blonde girl had a very active inner world.
Similar to Eu, who, despite being mostly silent due to her powers, was surprisingly talkative and mischievous when chatting.
"Asia understands. Asia wants to stay here!!"
Asia agreed excitedly. In front of Raize and Sei's slightly awkward observation, she didn't believe Raize's words, treating him instead as an angel hiding in the human world.
After all, Asia had seen beings wielding holy power in the church, but compared to Raize, they were on a completely different level.
If not an angel, could he be God?
She understood very well that he didn't want to reveal his identity. Truly understood.
Now, the young nun didn't want to leave at all. Staying here made her extremely happy and excited.