Chapter 20 - Asia
Because he was a transmigrator with no familial attachments in this world, Evan had few qualms about doing whatever aligned with his principles.
In this world, strength was everything.
Seeing the firm resolve and Aura in his eyes, Rias, Akeno, and Koneko felt Evan's importance to them grow, as though he was beginning to occupy a space in their hearts.
"I definitely won't say anything. If you ever need my help, just let me know," Rias said, her smile fading, her tone serious.
Evan didn't reply, but her earnest attitude was easy to appreciate. He felt no exception to that.
Though, from his perspective, the only thing he might need Rias's help with would be having children.
Turning to the teary-eyed Asia behind him, Evan asked, "You have nowhere to go, right? Why not go with her"—he gestured at Rias—"and be reborn as a devil, living on as one of her servants?"
But Asia shook her head desperately, clinging to his right hand, her expression pleading.
It was understandable. Asia had led a tumultuous life: becoming a Saint, only to be exiled, then tricked by Fallen Angels. Though she didn't despise devils, her ingrained fear of them, from her Church upbringing, remained.
Moreover, she hadn't faced a life-or-death experience here—she woke to see Evan first, instinctively treating him as her lifeline, unwilling to leave his side.
"All right, then. In that case, stay at my place and do some housework. Can you handle that?"
Any normal person would say "yes" whether they could or not. But Asia, trained as a Saint from childhood, was self-sufficient, having learned various skills beyond her holy duties.
Asia nodded frantically, tears spilling onto her habit.
"Then let's go," Evan said. He briefly greeted Rias and the others before preparing to leave.
Right before he left, he asked casually, "What do you plan to do with Issei Hyoudou and the Fallen Angels?"
Rias pondered a moment before responding, "I'll wipe that student's memories of all this. As for the Fallen Angels, I need to consult my brother, Lord Lucifer. It involves diplomacy between two major factions, so I must be careful."
"I'm off," Evan said, leaving without hesitation.
Night fell, stars twinkled, and a gentle evening breeze blew. Asia lifted the weight off her heart as she gazed at the open sky but felt apprehensive looking at Evan.
"Hop on," he said, pointing at a motorcycle. Though he could fly, he enjoyed driving.
Nervously, Asia climbed onto the back seat, unsure whether to wrap her arms around him. But once the bike started moving, to avoid falling off, she instinctively hugged him from behind.
"Huh…?"
At first, it felt strange, but soon Asia felt an unfamiliar warmth and security. It was odd.
Even in the Church, surrounded by priests, bishops, and nuns, she'd never felt this way.
No one had hugged her, nor had she hugged anyone. After her exile, she learned how harsh the world could be—cold air, cold water, a cold bed.
But Evan's back felt warm. This precious warmth calmed her uneasy heart, and she leaned into him, closing her eyes with contentment.
Back home, Evan showed Asia her new room and left. Asia, seeing a luxurious bedroom she'd never imagined, ran her hands over the soft, pristine sheets, tears falling uncontrollably.
In that moment, she resolved silently: no matter what happened, she would spend her life repaying him. Her thoughts wandered to Evan's cool face. If I'm to repay him with my life… if one day he wants… that sort of thing… should I agree? Or agree right away?
As her mind spun with fantasies, a small hand touched her shoulder, making Asia jump. Whirling around, she found a petite silver-haired girl in a dress, looking younger than herself. Her fear ebbed.
"And you are…?"
"Evan is my master. I am his sword. Whatever he tells me to do, I do," the girl, Est, said expressionlessly, feeling vaguely unhappy about this new blonde beauty Evan brought home.
"I'm Asia Argento. P-please take care of me," Asia offered a handshake, but Est turned and left.
"Eh?" Asia stood baffled, wondering if she'd offended the girl.
Regardless of how those two were getting along, Evan was now examining his gains.
Besides Asia, the greatest trophy from this operation was the Boosted Gear—central to his plan.
To achieve god-slaying under optimal conditions, this gear was the most accessible powerful item early on.
The difference lies in how much power you can draw out. With low aptitude, you access only basic effects—like Tatara's.
The real divide is the Balance Breaker, a forbidden, ominous transformation, a sealed power.
For a Longinus like the Boosted Gear, it's even more potent.
Evan clearly remembers how Balance Breaker looks like—full-body armor resembling a Kamen Rider or Armor Hero.
As a guy, it's hard to resist.
But to unlock the Balance Breaker...
Evan closed his eyes, sinking his consciousness into the gear.
Having communicated with Est's before, he knew how to reach "spirits" in weapons, and this was no exception.
Inside the Sacred Gear's mental space.
Evan saw the slumbering red dragon within—fiery scales layered like mountain ridges, its massive form inspiring awe.
But he knew this was an illusion.
Long ago, the Red Dragon Emperor was dismembered by the Biblical God in the ancient war; only its soul remains, sealed in the crafted Sacred Gear.
"Red Dragon Emperor, open your eyes. The time has come to prove your worth," Evan said aloud.
Sensing his voice, the Red Dragon Emperor felt a ripple of power.
Its frail seal broke instantly; after centuries of slumber, it awakened.
"Where is this place?" Ddraig's consciousness stirred, sounding dazed. But memories and information soon flooded back. "So that's how it is… The previous Red Dragon Emperor is dead, so you must be this generation's host?" Ddraig looked at the young man, surprised.
"Didn't expect you to communicate directly with me inside the gear. How are you doing this?"
"Gifted," Evan replied.
"…Well, I'll accept that. But as partners who'll fight side by side, maybe we can be more honest?" Ddraig sounded mildly displeased.
It felt Evan acted more like an owner than a host. Still, any host was better than none. It had stranger wielders before.
At least this one seemed capable.
"In a family, everyone has their privacy—let alone you and me, who just met," Evan said, shaking his head.
Watching anime, he never realized how talkative Ddraig was. Now it felt excessive.
"Fine, but what did you come for? Now that I'm awake, we can talk normally outside too."
"That's the problem. I value privacy, so I want you to appear only during combat. Otherwise, keep quiet."
"Hey, that's too much, partner!" Ddraig objected. "That's basically forcing me. Besides, now that I'm awake, how would we do that? You expect me to sleep all day until you call me for a fight?"
Ddraig's manifestation quivered.
It felt this host was odder than past ones, and if it couldn't sleep, what then?
"I don't think it's over the top, and I have a way to fix it," Evan said. Silently, he summoned Est.
A moonlight-like glow radiated within the gear's mental space, condensing into a silver-haired girl in a simple dress.
"Evan, what do you need me for?" Est said, glancing at Ddraig's form.
"Did you adopt a new pet?"
"Hey, I'm not a pet! I'm a dragon, the legendary strongest—no ordinary Dragon King compares to me, the Red Dragon Emperor— Wait, your power… What is this?!" Ddraig boasted but sensed an aura from Est.
In the gear's mental space, it gauged their levels. Instantly, it realized even at its peak, it couldn't match this small silver-haired girl.
How was that possible?!
In that moment, Ddraig grew depressed.
---
Read 20 Chapters In Advance:
patreon.com/heavenlydawn
---