Ryuichi couldn't stand by any longer.
Watching Asia being belittled like that—it set something off inside him.
He stepped in front of her, shielding her from the two girls, his eyes as cold as steel.
"You two sure talk big for people who just got their asses handed to them. Still acting all high and mighty, huh?"
Xenovia didn't flinch. "That was then. This is now. Don't mix the two up."
"Ugh, Xenovia," Irina murmured from beside her. "She's already a Devil. What's the point in talking to her?"
"No, Irina," Xenovia replied evenly. "Even among the fallen, there are those who still feel guilt, who can't let go of their faith. I can feel that from her."
Irina blinked, caught off guard. "Wait, seriously? Even after becoming a Devil, she still believes in God?"
Asia's eyes welled up. "I… I just can't let go. I've always believed…"
"Then die here and now by my sword," Xenovia said, her gaze hardening. "If you die for your sins, I can still punish you in God's name. No matter how deep your sins, our God's hand will still reach out to save you."
She grasped the cross-shaped weapon strapped to her back—it was a sword, she claimed—a weapon of divine punishment.
Asia froze in horror as Xenovia raised her weapon.
Before the blade could move, a surge of magic radiated outward.
The pressure was suffocating. Xenovia's heart skipped a beat as she and Irina instinctively jumped back.
Dark violet-black energy flared around Ryuichi, coiling like a storm. His face didn't show an ounce of emotion.
"Are you two idiots," he said flatly, "or just brainwashed zealots completely beyond saving?"
Xenovia frowned. "What, you want a fight? The Church forbids us from attacking, but if a Devil makes the first move... well, that's another story."
"You called Asia a 'witch,' didn't you?" Ryuichi's voice was biting cold as a glowing sword materialized in his hand—the King's Blade.
Before countless people on the street, his magic power rippled outward, twisting the fabric of perception itself. The crowd was dispersed in an instant by his reality-altering aura.
Xenovia met his glare unflinchingly. "That's right. The world calls her a witch now."
"All because she can heal both Devils and Angels?"
His tone dripped with disgust.
"If that kind of kindness is considered heresy," Ryuichi snarled, "then you angels are a special brand of stupid. You drove away a true Saint!"
Xenovia's tone sharpened. "A Saint should be loyal only to God. To heal a Devil is the gravest blasphemy. A Saint should show mercy, yes—but not need friendship or love. The love of God alone should sustain them. By that measure, Asia Argento was never worthy of the title."
She said it without a hint of doubt or irony.
Ryuichi's lip curled. What utter garbage.
Anyone with half a brain could see how cruelly unfair that logic was.
"So, that's what the Church thinks, huh?" he said bitterly. "Treating Asia like some disposable tool. You talk about how 'God loves all,' yet never once has He lifted a finger to ease a single human's suffering."
He looked at the two girls quietly, feeling nothing but pity.
They weren't evil—just hopelessly brainwashed.
And they didn't even realize it.
"God loves all," Xenovia said calmly. "If no miracle appears, it means your faith was weak—or false."
Ryuichi exhaled sharply, speechless for a moment.
"She's gone way past reason…" he muttered under his breath. "You two are truly the most pitiful 'Saints' I've ever seen."
He raised the King's Blade slowly, its edge gleaming with lethal force.
"Before I change my mind… get out of my sight. And if either of you insults Asia again, I'll skin you alive."
Xenovia smiled icily. "Is that a threat against the Church? Such bold words—for a low-class Devil."
Irina scratched her cheek. "Um… you know the Church hates it when we pick fights without permission, right? We'd totally get chewed out for this…"
Xenovia's eyes stayed locked on Ryuichi. "If he's issuing a challenge, it would be rude not to respond. As long as we don't kill him, it's fine. Besides… I want to see how strong this Devil really is."
Her gaze swept over Ryuichi, briefly flickering with surprise at his immense magical aura.
This one wasn't ordinary.
Irina sighed, then grinned. "You're right! If no one finds out, no harm done! Hehe… Let's give him a little divine punishment. I'm sure the Lord will understand~ Amen!"
Ryuichi rubbed his forehead, feeling an exasperated ache behind his eyes.
"…Asia, I take it back. They're not zealots—they're just idiots."
Asia gave a meek, nervous smile. "…Maybe we should just let it go?"
Even after being insulted, she clearly didn't want to start a fight.
But Ryuichi shook his head. "They can use a little lesson. I can't let them get away with it completely."
The air between them crackled with tension.
The two Church girls unfastened their cloaks and tossed them aside.
A faint swish echoed as the fabric hit the ground, revealing sleek black combat suits that clung to their forms. The outfits weren't particularly revealing, but the tight fit left little to the imagination.
Ryuichi frowned slightly—their presence radiated danger. These two weren't weak.
And there was something about their aura… something familiar.
Xenovia grasped her sword and ripped off the white cloth that covered it. Irina removed a silver armband from her arm—instantly, it reshaped into a curved blade, gleaming with divine light.
Ryuichi's eyes widened. That energy—he knew it.
"…Holy Swords?"
The realization struck like lightning.