22 - My First Time Saving a Life

Asia's eyes were fixed on me, obviously frightened by the fact that I was holding someone by the neck.

"Asia-san?"

"Oh, do you two... know each other?" Freed asked with difficulty.

"Y-yes, Freed-san. He's the guy who helped me find the church yesterday."

If I continued in this situation, Freed would end up manipulating Asia into not trusting me. As much as I wanted to protect her, that was the last thing I should let happen.

With no clear options on what to do, I decided to take a chance and let go of Freed's neck.

He fell to his knees on the floor and desperately put one hand to his throat. No blood was gushing out, and I hadn't even started squeezing, but he still wanted to make it look like I had.

"Asia-san, things aren't as simple as they seem." I said, taking two steps back with my hands raised.

"Leonard-kun, I—"

"I'm sorry, Asia-chan, but I have to do my job!" Freed put one hand inside his overcoat and pulled out another pistol.

I had been so focused on his sword and pistol that I had completely forgotten he had a second pistol.

"Freed-san, what are you doing?!" Asia shouted when she saw Freed point the pistol at me.

He laughed enthusiastically. "Sorry, Asia-chan, but a devil like him and a human like you can't live together!" Freed exclaimed as he stood up. "I'm going to finish this job so that the boss will be proud of me and congratulate me for defeating the one who defeated Raynare!"

At that moment, Asia ran as fast as she could and stood between me and Freed with her arms outstretched.

"Freed-san, please, I beg you, forgive him! Even if he is a devil, Leonard-kun is a good person!"

Freed laughed even louder. "Asia-chan, do you think standing in front of him will stop me from shooting him? I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT AT ALL!"

"What...?" Asia asked, frightened.

Freed's smile became bizarrely wide. "As long as I can kill a devil, one, two, or even a hundred human lives as collateral damage doesn't matter! And if it's the life of a girl like you, who is getting used to feeling affection for these despicable beings, I'll do it with pleasure!"

At that moment, Asia finally understood the true nature of the Church.

She knew she had been sent to that church in a small town in rural Japan as punishment for her actions, but she still had faith that she would be able to continue helping and healing people with the gift God had given her because deep down, the Church was good and would allow her redemption.

However, that vision of redemption was shattered when she heard those nefarious words spoken from the mouth of a priest.

Still, I bet she thought she could at least help one last person before she died when she closed her eyes and heard six gunshots.

But I would never let a beautiful and adorable girl like Asia Argento die so young.

When Asia heard the echoes of those shots finish reverberating through the empty church and felt no pain, she opened one eye to check if she was in the afterlife. Unfortunately or fortunately, she didn't find a tunnel with white light, but instead, my back.

"Are you okay?" I asked, looking over my shoulder. "Were you hit?"

Even though she was surprised, Asia immediately checked herself and shook her head with a nasal sound.

"Un-unh... I'm fine."

I put a hand on the back of her neck and smiled, relieved. "What a relief~"

My smile faded as my vision darkened. In the blink of an eye, I was suddenly on my knees.

"Leonard!" Asia screamed, frightened, and that was when she finally saw that three bullet holes marked my white school uniform shirt.

"You're hurt!"

One shot had hit just above my heart, one below my right rib, and another right next to my belly button. The other three shots weren't as concentrated—one lodged in my left shin, one in my shoulder, and the last one, the one that would have killed me, hit the Boosted Gear I used to defend my head.

"Hahaha! I knew you'd get in front of her! Why the hell do you always like nuns? Is it a fetish or some kind of remorse for being the race you are?" Freed Sellzen wondered, scratching his chin as if he had a beard.

While Freed chattered, Asia knelt beside me, extended her hands, and said:

"Heal wounds!"

A simple green light came out of the silver rings on her fingers and enveloped the bullet holes in my back. I felt an inexplicable peace, and my body also felt refreshed, but in the next instant, I felt a pain that made my whole face grimace.

"Urghhh... Stop, please, stop!"

I grabbed Asia's fist, making her stop using healing.

"Why...? Why isn't it working? Why aren't you healing?"

"Devil-killing bullets," Freed Sellzen answered the question.

"They are special bullets produced for exorcists like me to use. In addition to being made of Holy Silver, they are dipped in holy water. Even you, with your Sacred Gear, couldn't heal him easily... Now, Asia-chan, get out of the way so I can eliminate this cursed devil."

"No! I won't let you do that!" Determined, Asia opened her arms and stood up.

Freed took a deep breath. "I've already told you that doesn't matter."

"I still have two bullets left in the magazine. I can kill you and then him without any problem."

"That's not what God would want! He says to love and forgive your neighbor!"

"Who cares what God thinks?" Freed shrugged. "I just want to kill devils and have fun in the process!"

"If that's the case, you're going to have a lot of fun now." I muttered, struggling not to cough up blood.

Freed frowned at me and looked like he was about to ask what the hell I had said, but they arrived before he could.

Suddenly, a dark shadow crossed one of the church's stained-glass windows, then another, and then another. When Freed realized what was happening, three beings with bat-like wings rose up in the moonlight and looked down at him.

One of them was a boy with blond hair and clear European features. He had the beauty of an idol and the smile of a charming devil.

Another devil was a small girl with short, snow-white hair. She wasn't naturally intimidating, but her serious gaze would cause most exorcists to tremble.

The third shadow revealed itself to be a beautiful woman dressed as a priestess—a red and white kimono. Her features were the most frightening of the three because she did not hide her sadistic smile.

Finally, the church doors opened with a dull thud, and something was thrown at Freed's feet. He looked down and saw that it was Kalawarner, a mature-looking and absurdly powerful Fallen Angel who was supposed to be protecting the area around the church.

"H-how is this p-possible?"

Freed then raised his head and saw Rias Gremory calmly entering the church with a serious look on her face.

"He said he didn't have much experience with combat, so I entrusted him with the role of rescuing the nun. But I didn't imagine there would be an exorcist inside... Well, it's good that we arrived." Rias said before tossing her hair back.