After the enormous incident, Jeanne Alter brought Asia home. After all, both the church and the Fallen Angels and priests who had sheltered Asia were now gone. If she didn't leave with Jeanne, Asia would truly be homeless.
Jeanne had anticipated that being taken in by someone who openly declared herself an enemy of Heaven might leave Asia distressed. Surprisingly, Asia quickly regained her composure and accepted Jeanne wholeheartedly.
"Miss Jeanne, you're gentle and kind. Being by your side makes me feel safe… That's why… That's why… I choose to trust you."
"Oh Lord, please hear my prayer… Miss Jeanne is a great and kind person, please forgive her…"
I don't need God's forgiveness! Jeanne thought, irritated by Asia's heartfelt prayer.
Late at night, Koneko Toujou returned home after finishing her daily Devil duties, naturally encountering Asia.
Jeanne had no intention of hiding Asia's presence. From the moment she decided to kill those Fallen Angels openly as the "Witch Jeanne, Returned from Hell," Jeanne had resolved to no longer conceal herself.
She wasn't naive enough to believe her peaceful life could last forever. A week of ordinary school days was enough novelty for her; though such tranquility was intriguing and relaxing, Jeanne was already feeling restless, eager for battle.
With a new member suddenly appearing at home, especially one dressed as a nun, Koneko's initial hostility and suspicion were entirely predictable.
Jeanne, however, had already planned how to handle this. She had Asia share her past.
Asia had been abandoned as an infant in Northern Europe, raised by the church, and trained as a nun. One day, the [Sacred Gear] within her awakened, granting her powerful healing abilities. The church hailed her as a Saint blessed by God.
However, when Asia unknowingly healed a Devil—something God's blessing should have been incapable of—the church branded her a heretic, a witch, and expelled her. Seeking refuge, Asia had naively accepted an invitation to Kuoh from rogue priests controlled by Fallen Angels.
After hearing Asia's story, Koneko—a genuinely kind-hearted Devil—bowed her head apologetically, ashamed of her earlier hostility.
Jeanne was certain that Koneko and Asia, both pure-hearted and innocent girls, would get along well and soon become close friends.
...
"Hello, everyone. I'm Asia Argento. Please take care of me."
At the Occult Research Club's old school building, Asia bowed politely at the doorway. Aside from Koneko, all the Devils present stared in confusion.
Then, collectively, they turned puzzled gazes toward Jeanne, leaning against the wall.
Their eyes clearly asked: "What exactly is going on here?"
Jeanne wasn't surprised. After all, Asia stubbornly insisted on wearing her nun's habit everywhere.
Initially, Jeanne had intended to buy Asia a casual outfit to avoid any misunderstandings.
However, Asia had earnestly insisted that meeting important people without wearing something formal made her nervous.
Unfortunately, Asia's idea of "formal" turned out to be her nun's habit, creating the current awkward scenario.
Ironically, Asia herself seemed oblivious to her mistake. Receiving no response, she grew visibly anxious, casting repeated pleading glances toward Jeanne, leaving Jeanne both amused and exasperated.
"Jeanne-san," Rias folded her arms, leaning elegantly against her ornate desk, asking pointedly, "Could you perhaps explain what exactly is happening here?"
"An explanation? I already told Koneko everything last night. Just get her report directly, please. Lately, I've had to concoct so many 'reasonable explanations' that my brain hurts. Let me take a break…"
Jeanne sighed deeply, looking as exhausted as if she'd spent three days battling giant crystal spiders.
"No need to worry. Asia is entirely free now, completely disconnected from both the church and the Fallen Angels. Even if you don't trust me, at least trust Koneko. She and Asia had a pleasant conversation last night."
"Oh, we wouldn't dare distrust you, Jeanne-san," Rias tilted her head slightly, eyes glinting shrewdly. "A human with power comparable to a Maou isn't someone we Devils have the right to doubt."
"Huh? Maou?"
Jeanne stared blankly at Rias. "So, the strength I displayed yesterday was comparable to a Maou?"
Jeanne's confusion was genuine. She honestly had no idea how strong "Maou-level" was. Initially, she'd feared even her full strength might not match the average Maou of this world.
Hearing Rias's assessment eased her concerns somewhat.
Rias watched Jeanne intently, intrigued by the peculiar contradiction before her—a human whose terrifying strength rivaled a Maou, yet who clearly lacked knowledge about the supernatural world, seemingly as inexperienced as any ordinary mortal.
How fascinating… Rias grew increasingly curious about Jeanne's mysterious past. What bizarre experiences could produce someone so contradictory?
"Really now, Jeanne-san. So it truly was you causing such an uproar last night."
Rias pretended to pout, her devilishly alluring figure combined with her childish tone creating an amusing contrast. "In the dead of night, feeling such a terrifying surge of magic within my own territory nearly scared me to death—I thought a Dragon King had invaded. And the enormous scorched wasteland you left behind… It took a huge effort to restore it without attracting attention."
"But I eliminated the Fallen Angels invading your territory, so let's call it even, shall we?"
"They were merely three mid-level Fallen Angels. We could've handled them ourselves."
Rias's eyes narrowed sharply, flickering briefly with dangerous intent. "I had no intention of letting those Fallen Angels do as they pleased in my territory, but we lacked a suitable justification to eliminate them ourselves."
The last great war had severely weakened the Devils, Angels, and Fallen Angels. To prevent mutual annihilation, they had settled into an uneasy peace.
If Rias had directly killed Raynare and her group, it might've reignited hostilities between Devils and Fallen Angels—something she desperately wished to avoid. More than most Devils, she cherished peace.
But now, though four Fallen Angels had died in Rias's territory, it wasn't by her or her peerage's hands. Since Jeanne wasn't affiliated with the Devils, the Fallen Angels couldn't retaliate against them. Still…
"Jeanne-san, please be careful from now on," Rias warned gently. "Even though they were only low-ranking Fallen Angels, their faction might still come after you."
However, Rias felt Jeanne hardly needed such warnings. Compared to Ophis, the entire Fallen Angel faction was insignificant—fools courting death if they dared challenge Jeanne.
Of course, Asia was oblivious to this.
She could never imagine that the little girl named Ophis—who constantly clung to Jeanne, demanding to be spoiled and even insisting Jeanne feed her—was actually one of the world's most terrifying beings.
"Miss Jeanne…" Asia clutched her clothes anxiously, looking worriedly at Jeanne. It was all her fault; Jeanne had become enemies with Fallen Angels to protect her…
Understanding the situation somewhat, Koneko comforted Asia, an exchange that warmed Jeanne's heart.
"Relax, Asia. I'm not afraid of them."
Meeting Asia's anxious gaze, Jeanne smiled confidently. "You heard her. I'm strong enough to rival a Maou, comparable to the Fallen Angels' leader. Ultimately, their real enemies are Angels and Devils. Until those two factions are gone, Fallen Angels won't recklessly provoke another Maou-level enemy."
Rias nodded in agreement. "Jeanne-san is right. Attacking you openly would greatly weaken their faction, disrupting the delicate balance among our three powers. The Fallen Angels' leaders aren't foolish enough to commit such self-destructive acts."
Listening, Jeanne recalled another detail. The Archangel Michael surpassed Maou-level, and the Devils currently had two such beings themselves, while Azazel, leader of the Fallen Angels, remained merely Maou-level.
The balance already seems broken, doesn't it? Jeanne thought wryly.
The original Four Great Maou perished long ago, replaced by younger successors—including two exceptionally powerful transcendents—while only Azazel and Michael remained from the old guard.
That meant the Angels had always held a hidden advantage, making Jeanne wonder whether the Angels were cunning actors or if their enemies were simply blind.
Nowadays, the lower ranks still held grudges, but the leaders of all factions were pragmatic peace-seekers, diligently maintaining their fragile truce.
Good, Jeanne mused, Peace is precious.
Wars always brought suffering to innocents, no matter who won—a universal truth across every world.
"Oh, and Jeanne-san, you misunderstood something."
After reassuring Asia, Rias refocused on Jeanne. "Although the magic you released yesterday was terrifying, it only barely reached 'near-Maou' level. An Ultimate-class Devil could achieve something similar with effort. I called your strength Maou-level because I believe that wasn't your full power. That was just my personal assumption."
"Ah, I see. Thanks for clarifying, Rias-san."
Jeanne nodded, gaining deeper insight into this world's power scale—and feeling much more confident as a result.
After nearly turning Kuoh Academy's forest into a wasteland, Jeanne had skipped her first class today to visit the Occult Research Club for explanations—but she had another goal too.
"You seem influential at this academy."
"Of course," Rias stated casually. "Kuoh Academy is essentially Gremory family property."
Jeanne nodded, unsurprised.
"Then could you help Asia enroll here as a student?"
"Um, I wanted to ask too…" Asia timidly chimed in. "If Miss Jeanne and Koneko are here, then I want to be here too. So please…"
Seeing Asia earnestly bow again made Rias sigh.
"I'm growing ever more curious about what happened," Rias murmured. "But fine. If her identity checks out, I see no issue enrolling her."
Asia's eyes brightened immediately. "Really?"
"But just like Jeanne-san, you'll be monitored. I'll investigate thoroughly, and Koneko will watch you closely. Are you okay with that?"
"Was that really surveillance?" Jeanne joked.
"Quiet, Jeanne-san," Rias chided gently, amused despite herself.
Asia relaxed, smiling brightly and sincerely. "As long as I can stay with Miss Jeanne and Koneko, I'll accept anything."
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T/N: hmm how will asia communicate since she doesn't know japanese