The golden-haired girl had striking emerald eyes, beautiful, vibrant, and filled with quiet uncertainty and unease.
Back in Rod's original world, she'd easily be considered a rare gem.
But what caught his attention more than her doll-like features was the guarded fear in her gaze.
Despite being right outside a holy site, the circumstances were far from comforting.
Asia had just been expelled from the Church.
And now, someone was standing in front of her, holding a photo that matched her face.
Anyone with a hint of imagination would start suspecting a vendetta.
Of course, knowing Asia's personality, there was no way she'd have made any enemies.
Most of the fear she felt right now came from her own worry and heartbreak over being cast out.
"Um… may I ask who you are? And why you're looking for me?"
In the past, anyone approaching her usually needed healing.
But the man in front of her didn't appear to be injured in the slightest.
Besides… ever since she was expelled, Asia had developed a subtle aversion to her Sacred Gear, Smile of the Virgin Mary.
Even she sometimes felt that the Sacred Gear was the root of her misfortune.
But that only made her believe more firmly that this, too, must be a test from God.
"Good. That makes things easier. Come with me."
Rod tucked the photo away and casually grabbed her suitcase off the ground.
It wasn't heavy by his standards, actually quite light, but for a girl her size, it was clearly a burden.
"W-Wait… What do you mean by 'come with you'...?"
Asia, despite growing up in the Church, knew a few worldly basics.
Like: don't follow strangers, don't take food from strangers, don't trust strangers.
"Someone asked me to take care of you for a while. Don't bother asking who. Just know that you're safe."
"But…"
She opened her mouth to ask, but Rod merely shook his head.
Then, very subtly, he pointed upward with one finger.
"Some things are better left unsaid."
"…I, I understand!"
Asia's eyes sparkled as realization dawned.
Even if she wasn't the sharpest, she could guess part of the truth.
Her cheeks flushed with excitement.
Just as she thought!
This must be a divine test, and this man was God's guide sent to protect her!
Tears welled up in her eyes again, but this time… they were tears of hope.
She smiled at Rod, full of gratitude.
"…You're so easy to fool."
Rod chuckled, watching her build an entire narrative in her head.
No wonder she got tricked by fallen angels in the original timeline.
It didn't even take fake documents or elaborate lies, just a few sentences, and she'd follow anyone off a cliff.
Still, that was Asia.
Naïve to a fault.
But that kind of blind trust could get you killed.
"Let's go," Rod said, turning around with her suitcase in hand.
Asia hurried to follow, jogging to catch up with her short legs.
Rod noticed her struggling and slowed his pace slightly.
"Phew…"
Asia let out a breath and smiled softly, clearly grateful for the small kindness.
She was about to thank him when she realized, she didn't even know his name.
"Um… may I ask your-"
"Rod."
"Thank you, Mr. Rod," she said warmly.
Rod gave a slight nod.
He'd been casual and indifferent up to this point, but he couldn't help feeling a bit of fondness for someone so polite and well-mannered.
"Mr. Rod, where are we headed next?"
Asia's spirits had lifted. Her curiosity took over her gloom.
But halfway through asking, she suddenly remembered it might be rude to pry.
"Kuoh Town," Rod replied.
There was no need to keep that a secret.
Griselda hadn't given any specific instructions, and neither had the system.
So naturally, he was heading to where the plot actually happened.
Kuoh Town was the real stage of the story.
Most of the major characters would show up there, and the central storyline would unfold in that small city.
Rod had finally transmigrated into the High School DxD universe.
It would be a waste not to go soak up the full experience.
If it were some stiff, proper isekai, fine, he might take it slow.
But this was practically one misstep from being a softcore anime, if he didn't dive in headfirst, it'd be a disgrace to the system that sent him here.
Asia was still wondering where Kuoh Town was.
She'd never even stepped outside the Vatican.
To someone who grew up in such a sheltered life, the outside world was a dazzling mystery.
And indeed,
As they walked through the vibrant streets, her eyes were completely captivated by everything.
The bright neon signs, the streams of honking cars, the stylish displays in shop windows…
Even the passersby, dressed in trendy modern clothing, caught her attention.
To someone raised in a silent convent, the outside world felt like another dimension entirely.
Then,
A delicious aroma wafted through the air.
Asia's nose twitched, and her gaze was drawn like a magnet.
There it was: a massive skewer of rotating roast meat on a metal spit.
Golden brown, glistening with juices.
A vendor was carving off slices with a wide knife, and the scent of grilled meat and sauce filled the breeze.
Asia unconsciously swallowed.
"You want some?" Rod asked.
He was feeling a bit hungry himself.
Asia nodded instinctively… then quickly shook her head, as if catching herself.
But the little drop of drool at the corner of her lips betrayed her.
Rod didn't say anything.
He simply walked over and ordered two wraps.
The vendor laid warm flatbread on the counter, piled on the shaved meat, added sauce and cheese, tossed in tomatoes and onions, then rolled it all up into a hearty bundle.
It was a simple, common street food.
But the moment Asia took her first bite, her eyes began to glisten.
The Church didn't forbid nuns from eating meat.
But Asia had always lived a frugal life, bread and milk for breakfast, vegetable soup and pasta for lunch, something equally plain for dinner.
Meat was rare.
This kind of food? She'd only ever seen it on TV.
…Until now.
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200 P.S / 1 Extra Chapters
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