It’s noon, and classes ended early. Miu and I are heading home. I’ll hit the clubroom later for devil work.

“Been a while since we walked home together, huh, Miu?”

“Yeah. We’ve been with other classmates, and you’ve been busy with devil stuff.”

“True.”

As a new devil, I’ve had a lot to learn, so sibling time’s been scarce.

Miu grabs my hand, pouting playfully. “Let’s go somewhere fun!”

“Sure, a sibling outing sounds great. Where to?”

“Hmm…” Miu thinks, hand on chin.

Then—

“Hawau!”

A goofy yelp. We turn to see a nun-like figure faceplant on the pavement. Is she okay?

Her veil flies toward us, and I catch it. The president warned against church folk, but helping someone up should be fine.

“You okay?” I approach, offering a hand.

“Ow… Why do I trip on nothing?” She looks up. “Oh, thank you!”

A blonde beauty with green eyes stares back. Stunning, almost fragile, sparking an urge to protect her.

I’m entranced until she speaks, confused. “Um, is something wrong?”

“Big brother, you’re staring too much,” Miu says, pinching my cheek.

Whoops, got carried away. I help her up and return the veil.

“Here, this is yours, right?”

“Thank you!”

“Lots of luggage. Traveling?”

“No, I’m assigned to this town’s church today.”

Church duty, huh? She looks our age but seems mature. A foreign nun with transfers?

I smile. “We live here too. Might see you around. Nice to meet you.”

“Same!” Miu adds.

“Yes, please!” She bows.

She sighs in relief. “I’ve been lost since arriving. No one spoke my language until you two. Thank you!”

Yeah, language barriers suck. I’ve been there with foreigners. Being a devil helps I understand all languages now. English, French, bring it on!

Miu seems to understand her too, maybe due to her otherworlder nature or translation magic.

Miu says, “You’re heading to the church, right?”

“Yes.”

“Leave it to us. We’ll guide you. Right, big brother?”

“Yup, gotta help someone in need.”

I grin, but brace for the president’s scolding. Getting close to a church is a no-go for devils.

“Really!? Thank you! It’s the Lord’s guidance!”

Her teary, adorable smile makes it worth it, though her rosary gives me a headache. Miu, a demon, seems unaffected by holy stuff.

So, we guide her to the church.

Passing a park, a child’s cry catches our attention. A boy’s kneeling, bleeding from a scraped knee.

The nun rushes over, Miu and I following.

“It’s okay,” she says, patting his head. “Boys shouldn’t cry over this.”

She places her hand on his knee, emitting a faint green glow. The wound vanishes instantly.

Miu whispers, “Big brother, that was…”

“Yeah, a Sacred Gear.”

Ddraig told me about them. Besides combat types like my Boosted Gear, there are support ones like healing. Hers must be that. First time seeing another Sacred Gear they’re amazing and varied.

“Thank you, big sis!” The boy runs off.

“He said thanks,” I translate.

She smiles happily, but I notice her hand. “That power…”

“It’s a healing ability,” she says. “A wonderful gift from God.”

Her smile turns lonely, hinting at a troubled past tied to her Sacred Gear. I don’t pry.

“That’s a kind power.”

She smiles again, still tinged with sadness.

“There’s the church,” Miu points.

My body shudders the devil in me reacting. Churches are enemy territory; holy stuff is poison to us.

The nun checks a map. “That’s it! Thank you so much!”

“We’re done here,” I say.

“Yeah, let’s go,” Miu adds.

We wave goodbye, but she stops us.

“Wait! Please come to the church. I want to thank you!”

A kind, beautiful girl I might see again I’d love to keep this connection. Tea sounds nice, but devils and church folk getting too close is trouble.

Miu saves me. “Sorry, we’ve got plans. Maybe next time?”

“…Okay. Next time, then. I’m Asia Argento. Call me Asia!”

“I’m Issei Hyoudou. Call me Issei. This is my sister, Miu.”

“Miu Hyoudou. Nice to meet you, Asia-san!”

“See ya, Asia!”

“Yes, Issei-san, Miu-san, let’s meet again!”

She bows, and we wave back, leaving. Glancing back, she watches us until we’re out of sight.

“Asia-san’s really nice,” Miu says.

“Yeah. Thanks for the save, Miu.”

“No prob. You going to a church would be bad, right?”

“Yup, I’m a devil.”

I chuckle, then remember something.

“Wait… wasn’t that church abandoned years ago?”

That night, in the clubroom:

“Don’t ever go near a church again,” the president scolds.

I explained, and she understands, but she was worried sick, relieved to see me safe. Guiding Asia was reckless, and I feel bad.

“Sorry…”

“Tell Miu too. She’s not a devil, but being tied to us, she should avoid churches.”

“Got it.”

The president says it could’ve sparked a conflict between God’s side and devils. A stray holy spear could’ve flown my way.

Ddraig chimes in, “Wouldn’t faze you, partner. You’re strong enough without the Gear.”

True, but I worried the president, and devil-church relations are tense. My actions were careless.

I bow. “Really sorry.”

“It’s fine, as long as you understand. I got heated too sorry. Just be careful.”

She pauses, thinking. “You said that church is abandoned, right?”

“Yeah, years ago.”

“An abandoned church with a Sacred Gear-wielding nun assigned? And those fallen angels said you’d interfere with their plans… Maybe…”

Akeno emerges from the back. “Done scolding?”

“Yeah,” the president replies.

“Glad you’re safe, Issei-kun,” Akeno says, smiling.

“Sorry for worrying you.”

“No worries, as long as you’re okay.”

The president asks, “Akeno, what’s up?”

Akeno’s smile fades, turning serious. “A stray devil extermination request from the Archduke.”

Stray devils are those who betray or kill their masters, deemed dangerous by all factions and eliminated on sight. One’s in Gremory territory this town luring and devouring humans nightly.

Gotta warn Miu to stay in at night.

We, the Gremory peerage, are at an abandoned ruin to hunt the stray. I sense its presence inside.

“President, am I fighting?”

“I want to see your strength, but today, observe. I’ll explain the Pieces’ traits.”

Evil Pieces mimic chess: King, Queen, Rook, Knight, Bishop, Pawn, each with unique traits. I haven’t learned mine yet no chance to discuss. Guess I’ll watch.

The president asks, “I told you why devils reincarnate humans, right?”

“Low birth rates, yeah.”

“There’s more,” Kiba says. “The great war decimated pure devils, weakening our forces. With angels and fallen angels still a threat, we can’t show weakness. Unable to field large armies, we went for elite units.”

“So, the Evil Pieces were created,” I say.

“Exactly,” the president adds. “The system’s popular among titled devils. There’s even the Rating Game.”

“Rating Game?”

“It’s where high-class devils pit their peerages against each other like chess. I’ll explain later. Now, about the Pieces’ traits—”

She stops. I sense why.

“…The stray devil.”

Before us is a monster: upper body of a woman, lower body a giant beast, wielding spear-like weapons.

“Smells bad… but also tasty. Sweet? Bitter?” it mutters in a low voice.

I blurt, “Creepy!”

Its look, voice, expression everything’s revolting! Its “ketaketaketa” laugh is eerie. Kiba’s smirking wryly.

The president declares, “Stray devil Viser, I’m here to eliminate you. Your rampage for selfish desires warrants death. In the name of Duke Gremory, I’ll obliterate you!”

“Arrogant brat!” Viser stops laughing and charges.

“Yuuto!”

“Yes!”

Kiba dashes, closing the gap instantly with incredible speed, dodging Viser’s spears.

“Issei, about the Pieces,” the president says, watching Kiba. “Yuuto’s a Knight. Knights gain enhanced speed. His weapon is his sword.”

Kiba, now holding a sword, accelerates, severing Viser’s arms.

“GYAAA!” Viser screams, blood spurting.

Koneko stands at its feet.

“Koneko’s a Rook,” the president continues. “Rooks have immense strength and durability.”

Viser tries to crush Koneko, but she blocks its giant foot effortlessly, pushing it aside.

“…Get lost.”

Koneko jumps to Viser’s stomach, landing a punch. A deafening BOOM echoes. That tiny girl’s punch is unreal Rook power.

As I watch, fascinated, debris flies at me!

“Why me, Koneko-chan!?”

“…You called me small.”

She read my mind!? Do Rooks read thoughts!?

“Rooks don’t read minds,” the president says.

She read me too!? Am I that obvious!?

“It’s just a coincidence, Issei-kun,” Kiba says.

“You too, Kiba!?”

“Focus, Issei. Next is Akeno.”

“Yes, President,” Akeno says, giggling.

She approaches Viser, her hands crackling with electricity.

“Akeno’s a Queen,” the president explains. “The strongest Piece, save the King, with all traits combined my ultimate vice-president.”

Thunderclouds form above Viser, and lightning strikes, charring its massive body.

“Guhhh…” Viser glares, battered but alive.

“Still lively?” Akeno says. “Let’s keep going!”

More lightning rains down! Overkill much!?

And she’s laughing “Ufufufu!”

Terrifying in a whole new way!

“Akeno’s the ultimate sadist,” the president says.

“No kidding!”

“She’s kind to allies.”

“Really? I won’t get randomly tortured, right?”

Viser’s down, unable to resist.

The president raises her hand. “Any last words?”

“Kill… me…”

“Then vanish.”

Dark magic surges from her hand, erasing Viser completely.

“It’s over. Good work, Akeno, Yuuto, Koneko.”

The stray’s gone a true monster. I don’t want to end up like that.

As we prepare to leave, I ask, “President, what’s a Pawn’s trait?”

“Promotion,” she says. “Like chess, Pawns can become any Piece except King in enemy territory, as I designate.”

So, Pawns lack initial traits but gain others via Promotion, depending on timing and choice. High flexibility, but strategy matters.

“Try Promotion in action next time,” she says. “You’ll fight too.”

“Yes, President!”

With the stray defeated and Pieces explained, we head back to the clubroom.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep