Chapter 180: Asia Argento
Freed, a fallen priest who wantonly slaughtered humans contracted with devils, was no different from a Stray Devil in the eyes of the Church. Killing him wouldn't just go unpunished—it would even count as an achievement.
Haruto's goal in provoking Freed to strike first wasn't to entrap him, but to leave a good impression on the little blonde nun, making it easier for his future plans.
To win Asia's favor, he not only had to let Freed attack first but also pretend to be outmatched—preferably getting injured enough for the little nun to use her Sacred Gear's ability to heal him.
The weak naturally evoke sympathy, especially from overly kind girls like Asia.
Secondly, he wanted to personally experience the effects of Smile of the Holy Mother, that healing Sacred Gear.
Freed did not disappoint Haruto. Driven by his bloodlust, he didn't hesitate for a second. The moment he sensed the demonic aura on Haruto, he launched his attack without a second thought.
Clang!
The light sword struck the lightning spear Haruto had conjured, producing a metallic clang. Seeing Haruto's tense expression, Freed's grin grew even more frenzied.
"Yes, just like that! This is what makes it fun! Hahahaha!!!"
The last trace of the priest's demeanor vanished from Freed's face, replaced entirely by murderous intent and madness. The little blonde nun behind Haruto shrank back in fear.
Haruto struggled to keep his power restrained to the level of a Low-class Devil, suppressing the urge to blast this perverted priest to bits with a single punch. He stared sternly at Freed and asked, "Are you an exorcist of the Church?"
"Enough talk."
Freed had no time for Haruto's nonsense. He clearly remembered Azazel telling them to lay low recently. If they dragged this out and attracted attention, he wouldn't be able to enjoy the thrill of hunting devils anymore.
He swung his sword frantically at Haruto with one hand while occasionally firing shots with the other. Though he had Haruto completely suppressed, every attack was either dodged or blocked by the Lightning Spear.
Despite looking disheveled, Haruto hadn't shed a single drop of blood. A faint suspicion crossed Freed's mind, but it was quickly replaced by irritation.
"Coward! Is dodging all you can do?"
The white-haired priest glared viciously, pointing his gun at the young nun nearby. "Keep dodging and I'll start with this nun who's been sleeping with devils first!!"
Haruto lowered his head, his expression unreadable. The moment the gun was pointed at Asia, he nearly lost control and teleported over to crush the man.
He glanced toward the golden-haired nun standing behind him to the right. Her beautiful, delicate face was full of panic as she nervously clutched at her loose nun's habit.
"F-Father... I haven't slept with any devils. I'm still a virgin..."
"Shut up! If I say you did, then you did!"
Freed glared at her fiercely. "Don't think I don't know why you were excommunicated. If Lord Azazel hadn't specifically requested to study your Sacred Gear, I would have sent you to meet our great Lord long ago."
Asia's petite frame trembled, her small hands crumpling the fabric of her habit into wrinkles.
She lowered her head and fell silent, standing quietly to the side while emanating an air of being abandoned by the whole world - a pitiful sight that tugged at heartstrings.
Seeing the timing was right, Haruto spread his black bat-like wings, though he kept his gleaming tail hidden. This confirmed his devil identity while provoking Freed into another frenzied assault.
Haruto maintained the appearance of struggling to defend himself without actually getting injured, all while deliberately staying within reasonable distance of Asia.
When Freed pointed the gun at Asia, a better plan suddenly occurred to him.
Rather than feigning injury to gain the golden-haired nun's sympathy, playing the hero to save the beauty would earn him much more favor.
It might be a bit cliché, but for the inexperienced and innocent Asia, the effect was absolutely outstanding.
Especially if Haruto got injured while saving her—the affection would likely multiply.
Although this area was sparsely populated, it wasn't completely deserted. The commotion from the battle had already drawn the attention of many.
Curiosity is human nature, especially with such a fantastical combat scene. Many thought it was a movie being filmed, gathering to watch while pulling out their phones to record.
Clang, clang, clang—
Bang, bang, bang.
The rapid series of attacks were all blocked by Haruto with his Lightning Spear, and the bullets fired were "clumsily" dodged by him. Freed, watching the crowd gradually closing in, felt agitation and anger surging in his mind.
He loved fighting and killing, but he feared death even more.
Realizing the situation was spiraling out of control and remembering Azazel's methods, Freed halted his attack.
"Devil, you're lucky," he said, glancing at the onlookers. "If it weren't for this trash, you'd be dead today."
Hearing this, Haruto felt not relief but disappointment.
That's it?
He had been waiting for Freed to take Asia hostage so he could heroically step in to block the bullets, disregarding his own safety.
Though he thought this, he wore an expression of relief on his face.
Even if he couldn't fully play the hero, he couldn't drop the ball at the last moment. At the very least, it would boost the little nun's favorability a bit.
This was easily discernible from the worried glances Asia kept sneaking his way.
"Bitch, hurry up and get over here," Freed put away his Sacred Gear, ignoring the shocked stares of the ordinary people around him, and cursed at the frail, pitiful blonde nun.
"We've already wasted so much time. How much longer do you want to keep Lord Azazel waiting?"
Asia's slender body trembled, and she felt extremely wronged as she crouched down, hastily gathering the scattered clothes on the ground and stuffing them into her suitcase."
"Sister, let me help you," Haruto said, dispersing his Lightning Spear and ignoring the fuming Freed as he moved close to the little nun to assist with the packing.
"Thank you... Mr. Devil."
This was Asia's first time being this close to a male, especially a handsome young man around her age. At this budding stage of adolescence, a faint blush quietly appeared on the girl's cheeks.
"Haruto Seishu," Haruto smiled, extending his right hand. "That's my name. You can just call me Haruto, Sister.The blonde nun was taken aback for a moment, then hurriedly extended her small hand to shake his.
Feeling the warmth transmitted through his palm—a sensation she had never experienced before—the blonde nun momentarily forgot even to introduce herself.
Only after Haruto released her tender little hand did the girl belatedly become flustered and say, "Mr. Haruto, I'm Asia Argento. Please just call me Asia."
Haruto unhurriedly helped Asia pack her things, keeping an eye on Freed's movements while striking up a conversation with the little nun.
"Are you from overseas, Asia?"
"Yes, I just arrived in Japan today."
"You're a nun, Asia. It really suits your kind nature."
"Not at all... It's just that I don't know how to do anything else...Asia lowered her head, momentarily forgetting about the fierce Freed waiting behind her.
The white-haired priest watched the nun and the devil being so intimate, his already furious emotions crashing against the dam of reason like a relentless tide.
When Haruto helped Asia stand up from the ground and saw the expression of admiration and attachment on the little nun's face, Freed's thread of reason finally snapped.
In a flash of light, a silver pistol appeared in his hand, and he immediately opened fire ahead.
Bang, bang, bang, bang—
The continuous shots were aimed not only at Haruto but also at Asia, who stood beside him.
Haruto had been keeping an eye on Freed's movements. The moment the pistol appeared, he was prepared to activate a defensive spell.
But when he realized the target wasn't just him but also the little nun, he changed his defensive approach.
"Asia, be careful."
Haruto pulled the blonde little nun, who hadn't reacted at all, behind him, then turned and wrapped his arms around her petite, slender frame.
"Ahahahaha!!!"
The white-haired priest laughed maniacally. Haruto's actions erased his last shred of concern. In his rage, he thought that as long as Asia was unharmed, Lord Azazel wouldn't punish him.
Seeing Haruto completely turning his back to him, Freed revealed a cruel smile. His bullets were no ordinary ammunition—they were holy silver bullets specially designed to be highly effective against devils.
A barrage of bullets struck Haruto, splattering blood everywhere. As the red liquid sprayed, the white-haired priest's smile grew even more deranged.
What he failed to notice, however, was the crisp, metallic sound the bullets made when they hit vital areas, accompanied by the clinking of bullets falling to the ground.
Haruto hadn't expected Freed to be so cooperative, launching a desperate attack at the last moment without any regard for Asia's safety.