I wouldn't allow it. Not while I was here.
Kindness like hers didn't belong in this world. It was too rare, too fragile—something that could be crushed the moment it encountered something truly vile. And Asia Argento had too much of it.
That was exactly why she needed to learn when to say yes… and when to say no.
Thankfully, she was learning.
"N-No… I don't want to get married or go with you."
Her voice trembled slightly, her fingers tightening just a bit, but she didn't step back. Instead, she forced a small, polite smile, as if even now she didn't want to hurt him.
"D-Diodora-san… I'm happy that you're safe after I healed you, but… I'm afraid I have to reject your offer…"
There it was.
Hesitation.
Kindness.
But also—
resolve.
For a brief moment, I felt something akin to satisfaction. She was standing her ground. Not running. Not blindly agreeing like before.
She was learning.
"I see…" Diodora Astaroth replied, his expression soft and understanding on the surface.
Too perfect.
Too rehearsed.
"I understand you may not accept right away. Then perhaps we can take it slowly. I truly look forward to spending time with my savior."
That smile of his—
it didn't reach his eyes.
"Not."
I stepped forward.
Cutting through the moment cleanly, without hesitation.
"You will stay away from her."
My voice dropped.
Cold.
Absolute.
Diodora's smile thinned almost imperceptibly. His eyes, which had remained mostly closed until now, opened slightly, revealing the irritation hidden beneath his polite facade.
"You," he said slowly, his tone losing its warmth. "Stay out of my sight… filthy dragon."
A low growl echoed in the back of my mind.
Ddraig
Even he didn't like that.
I ignored it.
"Flying mouse," I replied calmly, tilting my head just enough to make the insult sting. "Step away from Asia."
That did it.
A flicker of anger crossed his face—brief, but real.
"Don't mock me."
"I'm not," I said, my gaze sharpening slightly. "I saw the way you looked at her."
Silence.
Heavy.
"I'm warning you… stay away from her."
"And what gives you the right to decide for her?" he snapped back, irritation now evident.
I smiled faintly.
"What gives you the right to approach her after you ruined her life?"
I took a step closer, closing the distance between us just enough to make it uncomfortable.
"Flying rat," I continued, my voice lowering. "At least I haven't hurt her."
That was the breaking point.
The mask cracked.
His expression twisted, anger finally surfacing in full.
And I—
I enjoyed it more than I should have.
So this is why the original King of Heroes found pleasure in provoking others.
It really was satisfying.
"Know your place," Diodora sneered, his voice sharp with disdain. "You're nothing more than a human. I could break you in half… even if you wield a Longinus."
For a brief second, I almost laughed out loud.
This?
This was supposed to intimidate me?
He wasn't weak, sure. Compared to most, he was strong. But compared to me…
"Quite bold words…" I muttered, a smirk forming on my lips. "…coming from a mutt who can only lick at a maiden's heels."
His aura flared.
The air grew heavier, tension rising sharply as demonic energy flickered around him—
................................
"Enough."
Sona Sitri stepped between us, her presence cutting through the hostility with precise authority.
"Gilgamesh-kun. Astaroth-san."
Her voice was calm, but firm enough to halt the escalation instantly.
"I will not allow a fight in my office."
"Never," I replied without hesitation.
She ignored me completely.
Turning instead to Diodora, she adjusted her glasses slightly. "Astaroth-san, you've said what you came to say. Please leave. I would rather not explain to my superiors why a Longinus user and a high-class devil fought here."
Diodora stared at her for a moment before exhaling softly.
Then, as if flipping a switch, his expression returned to that same polished, gentlemanly smile.
"Very well, Sitri-san."
He turned—
but not before casting another look at Asia.
That same gaze.
Possessive.
Unsettling.
"Don't worry," he said softly. "I will return."
His eyes shifted toward me, the politeness gone in an instant.
"I will come for you… even if a dragon stands in my way."
A thin smile followed.
"I will defeat him."
A green magic circle formed beneath his feet, glowing faintly before enveloping him.
And in the next moment—
he was gone.
The silence that followed felt… lighter.
The pressure in the room dissipated, and I heard both Asia and Sona release the breath they had been holding.
I turned to Asia.
"…Are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine…" she replied, giving me a small, reassuring smile despite the tension she had just endured.
Good.
That was all that mattered.
"Gilgamesh-kun."
I glanced back.
Sona was watching me closely now, her brows slightly furrowed in thought.
"What was that just now? You were unusually hostile."
A pause.
"If I hadn't intervened, you two would have fought."
I shook my head slowly.
"You're wrong."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"If you hadn't intervened…"
My voice turned serious.
"He would already be dead."
The room went silent.
Asia froze behind me, a soft gasp escaping her lips. Sona's expression hardened instantly, her analytical gaze sharpening.
Because she understood.
I wasn't joking.
Durandal.
That was all it would have taken.
One swing.
His defenses wouldn't have mattered. Holy power would have torn through him instantly, reducing him to nothing before he even realized what happened.
"Why?" Sona asked quietly.
"The way he looked at Asia…"
My expression darkened.
"…was the same as someone who once looked at me."
Her eyes widened in immediate understanding.
"But worse," I continued, my voice colder now. "Rias acted out of greed. This one… is filled with something darker."
Disgust lingered in my tone.
Cruelty.
Possession.
Lust.
I had seen that kind of gaze before—a predator staring at its prey. He didn't love her. He wanted to own her, like a toy or a trophy.
And that—
was unacceptable.
I turned fully to Asia.
"Asia."
She looked at me, her golden eyes steady despite everything.
"We're friends. I won't force you…"
A brief pause.
"But stay away from him."
For a moment, she simply stared at me.
Then—
she smiled.
Not forced.
Not hesitant.
Genuine.
"I trust you."
Her voice was soft, but unwavering.
"I know you would never hurt me… so I will listen."
Those words hit harder than anything else that had happened today.
................................
I quickly turned my head away, a faint warmth creeping onto my face.
This girl… was dangerously pure.
Too sincere.
Too trusting.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Tsubaki Shinra and Sona watching us with amused expressions now.
…Yeah.
I'll deal with them later.