Holy Maiden

"There it is." Cao Cao looked at the large church in the center of the town.

It isn't really hard to find it. The church is famous for healing other people as long as they worship God and let his miracles in their life.

Even in his past life, there are people who do this. Worship my religion and I'll give you a miracle. People follow it because they are desperate.

Unfortunately, those in his last life were not proven to be true aside from rumors.

This world is different.

"For a supposed valuable asset of the Church, she's not that protected." Following her companion's eyes, Valerie made a comment.

She would think that the Holy Maiden would have some strong guards to aid her. After all, she has a rare healing Sacred Gear, at least from what Cao Cao said to her.

"Well… let's just say that there's a power struggle in the Church." Cao Cao chuckled.

The Vampire Princess rolled her eyes, "By struggle, you mean corrupt?" 

It wasn't really that strange, powerful people would want more power. Even her pathetic brother would do the same despite obviously not having the ability like her father.

'Serves him right.' Valerie almost couldn't hold her sneer. She wonders what her dear brother is doing now. He probably misses her.

Seeing Valerie glaring at nothing, Cao Cao shook his head and answered instead of commenting on her behavior.

"Yep, I mean, these are the same people that would extract light elements out of children and kill them afterwards." The hero descendant replied.

The Dhampir was surprised by this but soon stared at Cao Cao, "You are well informed about this…" 

"Well…. In the place I came from, we are informed about this incident." He didn't lie, in his previous world where he came from, they are indeed informed about this.

Valerie nodded and asked, "What are we gonna do now?" 

"Meet the Holy Maiden of course." Cao Cao continued walking to the church's direction.

"Wait? Just like that?!" She thought they'll kidnap her or something. That's what he did to her after all.

"Why do I feel like you're thinking something rude about me?" The hero descendant mumbled. 

"Ehem, what I mean is that, we're just gonna barge in there?" Valerie couldn't believe this.

"I did say I'm just interested in meeting her, not recruiting her. Of course,  I'll try but if she doesn't want to then she's free." Cao Cao flexed his shoulder.

Valerie nodded and followed him to the Church.

Anyways, what's the worst thing that could happen right?

As they were getting close to the Church, Cao Cao looked at the area to see if there were any people outside.

He didn't spot anyone so he proceeded to enter the Church. Valerie followed aftersuit.

Looking at the interior of the Church, Cao Cao couldn't help but be impressed. As expected, the outside building may look old but the inside looks like a castle.

As they are walking in the middle of the church towards the altar. Both of them heard a voice.

"Umm…. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Looking back, they saw a nun. She looks very young, with blonde hair and green eyes sparkling with innocence.

She's speaking in Italian

After seeing her, Cao Cao smiled and replied, "Indeed, you see my body has been hurting lately. I heard that there's a Holy Maiden who possesses a compassionate heart and heals people who come to her." 

Fortunately, he can speak Italian as well, he's sure that the Dhampir besides him can too.

The nun blushed hearing that but quickly hurried up to the man asking, "You're hurt?! Please sit down." 

Seeing the action of the nun, Cao Cao and Valerie were baffled. The former, although he already knew that Asia was a kind and compassionate girl but seeing it on person is just….weird? Who would even decide to heal someone in the first meeting?

No wonder Diodora easily tricked her.

As for Valerie, she was surprised that a nun would treat a stranger like that. There's a saying called "stranger danger." Not that she can say it, she did follow this crazy guy after all.

"Umm… where is the part that hurt the most?" Since the person said that it's his body that's hurt, she doesn't really know where to start.

"Are you the one healing me? The Holy Maiden." Cao Cao pretended to be surprised.

"My name is Asia Argento, n-not Holy Maiden." The girl, Asia said with a stuttered voice. She didn't think that she deserve such a title.

"I'm Cao Cao and this is my companion Valerie. Don't mind her glares though, she's just shy." Cao Cao introduced himself and his companion.

Valerie glared at the hero descendant hearing that.

"O-Oh, umm so can I know where is the part that hurts the most?" Asia asked again the question.

Cao Cao didn't say anything and rolled his sleeve. There wasn't any bruise or anything and he wasn't really in pain. He just want to see the effects of her Sacred Gear.

Although Asia was confused as there was no wound or bruise, she still brought her hand up and two rings with green light manifested in her fingers.

Putting up her hand near Cao Cao's arm, Asia started her healing process and bathe the area with green light.

'Warm.' He thought. There was no injury but he could feel the warm and comfortable feeling that her Sacred Gear is giving.

Valerie observed from the side and was surprised as well. So this is a Sacred Gear in action.

Aside from hers and Cao Cao's, she didn't actually saw any Sacred Gears being used.

"There, is it fine now?" Asia retrieved her hands and asked.

Cao Cao waved his arm and smiled, "Yes, thank you very much Miss Asia. I feel better now."

"A-Asia is fine." She was really shy. The man in front of her is handsome and the girl on the side are beautiful too.

Are they lovers? But aren't they too young.

"Well, I don't have anything that could repay you. Do you mind if I just treat you outside?" Cao Cao asked the Holy Maiden.

"Oh no! I don't deserve such thing. The Lord gave me this power to help others.

I couldn't take advantage of that." Asia hurriedly refused and started to clasp her hands together as if she was praying, "and the nuns wouldn't allow me to go out as well." She added with a down expression.

Valerie giggled at her actions but quickly turned into glare when she noticed that Cao Cao was looking at her weirdly.

'What?' 

'Nothing' 

Ending their silent communication, the hero descendant shooked his head and smiled at Asia.

"Oh please, consider it for taking the time to heal me, and we're not going to inform them. It'll be our little secret." Accept now little girl. Don't be naughty.

"I-Is that so?" Asia wanted to refused but quickly held back. She did want to see the city. The nuns don't allow her to go outside for the sake of protecting her, they said.

But it should be okay right? They seem like good people.

"Indeed, we are just going to take a stroll Asia." Calling her name, Cao Cao put the nail in the coffin.

Nodding reluctantly, she accepted his offer. It was her first time going out. 

Offering his hand to the girl who accepted it in return, Cao Cao smiled and stood up. 

Valerie followed suit and they left the church.

—

"So this is what they do." Asia looked at the busy streets while walking. This is her first time going out without a nun or a priest supervising her. She didn't have that much memory about leaving and interacting with people.

She only heals.

Cao Cao looked at her with pity, 'Those Church assholes even restrain her freedom'

Although no one really cared about the faith of Holy Maidens, it is still frustrating for him.

The same goes for Valerie, as someone who was locked up in a cell. She can't help but feel some sympathy to the maiden.

"This is just a normal day for them. They don't have your sacred duty after all." The hero descendant teased the little girl.

"I-I'm just following the Lord's will." At first she was pretty nervous that she was sneaking out, but now? She's enjoying it. 

Cao Cao smiled and didn't say anything.

"Umm.. miss Valerie are you alright." Asia asked the Dhampir. She hadn't heard him talk, only doing gestures.

".... Yes Asia, and Valerie is fine." The Vampire Princess forced a smile. She's not use in this kind of thing.

Cao Cao snorted seeing Valerie's face. At least she can smile.

Asia nodded and continued to look around.

"O-Oh can I have that..?" Asia's eyes sparkled and pointed at the ice cream shop. She never tasted one before. The Church has a strict diet.

Cao Cao chuckled, "Of course." 

—

"That was amazing!" 

They spent the whole day playing and buying food making Asia, who was shy at first gradually open up.

After that, they returned back to the church.

"I didn't know that amusement parks are so fun. Oh! Those foods too…. But aren't they full of sugar? Will the Lord allow me back to his home?" Asia muttered the last part while clasping her hands together.

Cao Cao chuckled at her actions while Valerie was eating her sundae. She enjoyed it too.

Not that she would say it.

"I'm glad you do, but it's time for us to part ways here. Your guardians might be worried." The hero descendant said to the nun.

"O-Oh… um brother Cao Cao, can I see you and sister Valerie tomorrow?." Asia was sad hearing that she needs to go back.

Valerie blinked hearing that. 

Cao Cao was the same but quickly smiled and replied, "Of course, we'll be staying in the city for a few days anyway." 

Asia quickly beamed and said her gratitude before going back to the Church. She gave a last wave of goodbye with the hero descendant waving back in return.

"That happened." The Dhampir who finished her sundae, spoke.

"It went better than expected, though I guess it's because her guardians are restraining her too much." Cao Cao looked at her going inside the church.

"Are we really gonna go back tomorrow?" It doesn't really bother her, she was just curious since this guy is supposed to have a plan.

"Of course! We can't give the poor nun false hope." The Vampire Princess heard her companion's reply.

She didn't say much before looking at the sun slowly setting down.

'False hope huh?'

They have time. She's not in a hurry.