Chapter 56: Advice
Following an afternoon of batting and fielding practice, Vahn, Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Grayfia, and Asia were in the club room, where, after serving the group tea, the latter mustered the courage to ball her hands into fists and state, "P-Pardon me, Rias-sama! But I've made up my mind—please make me into a Devil and allow me to join your Peerage!"
"Ara ara. Someone is spirited~" mused Akeno, knowing, like everyone else in the club room, exactly where Asia's courage was coming from. After all, ever since the previous Saturday, she was no longer a little girl...
"Good job..." said Koneko, speaking in her usual monotone as she offered Asia a thumbs up. Unfortunately, while Rias appreciated Asia's willingness to join her Peerage, her answer wasn't what the latter expected.
"Hmm...I admire your determination, Asia. I really do. But I can't in good conscience accept you into my Peerage. Please forgive me..." expressed Rias, closing her eyes and shaking her head as Asia, standing next to the sofa where she was seated, wearing a Maid outfit similar to Grayfia's but with a shorter skirt, stared back at her with a paralyzed smile.
Preempting Asia's asking, Rias exhaled from her nose, met the former's gaze, and explained, "Ordinarily, I would jump at the opportunity to have the bearer of Twilight Healing becoming my Bishop. However, due to the Corridor and parameter-enhancing items like Crimson Bapples and Guts Lemons, I believe it's best to let you develop as you are. If you insist on becoming a Devil, which, might I remind you, would prevent you from praying to God, you can always do so once Vahn forms his own Peerage."
"Oh..." muttered Asia, looking somewhat forlorn as she asked, "But what if the ORC has to participate in another Rating Game? I don't want to sit out or be left behind again..."
"I appreciate that," responded Rias, nodding. "But what happened with Riser was a one-off event. I'm not saying we won't have to participate in future Rating Games, but the stakes won't be nearly as high, and most of our opponents should be comparably aboveboard."
With Asia habitually looking at him, Vahn nodded, adopted a supportive smile, and surprised Rias by saying, "I understand your logic, Rias, but if this is what Asia decided, I want to support her. Is it the best decision? I don't know. But it's the one she's made."
"I never expected to have my arm twisted like this..." sighed Rias, causing Vahn to feel a smidgeon of guilt until she adopted a smile and appended, "Very well. I also want to respect Asia's resolution, so if she's certain this is what she wants, I have no reason to refuse her."
"Thank you so much, Vahn-sama, Rias-sama...!" exclaimed Asia, closing her eyes and praying for what might very well be the final time. Vahn felt this was a little biased against Devils, especially those who were naturally born and never had the option to choose what they believed in, but since he didn't make the rules, he silently observed the process of Asia being turned into a Devil while making a mental note to discuss the matter with Throne when he had the opportunity...
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