While Abel gained a Heretic God servant, Irina and Xenovia acquired a saint's portrait that was clearly fake.
Currently, the two of them were kneeling in front of the portrait, their stomachs rumbling.
Irina clasped her hands together and said, "I am so hungry. Is this also a trial given to us by God?"
Hearing Irina's words, Xenovia looked at her expressionlessly.
These so-called trials, it's best if they are real trials.
"Where do you think our current trial came from?"
Xenovia said, pointing weakly at the portrait in front of her, "If it weren't for someone unilaterally spending all our food and lodging expenses on buying this kind of counterfeit painting, we wouldn't be starving."
Listening to her friend's words, Irina's face flushed red as she retorted. "This is a saint's portrait! This is our faith!"
Her words lacked conviction and confidence.
She remembered that damned unscrupulous merchant who had used her loyalty to the Lord to induce her to buy this painting.
None of this was her fault. It was the sales associate's fault.
Xenovia covered her face upon hearing this.
Why was her partner such an idiot?
At this moment, Xenovia's heart had hit rock bottom, with hunger and faith alternating.
She had already thought of stealing money from a temple's offerings, and similarly, Irina had also thought of robbing heretics.
But looking at the counterfeit idol in front of them, the two wavered between faith and hunger, and in the end, faith triumphed over hunger.
The two sighed deeply and spent the night hungry.
—
The next day, on the commercial street.
Inside a dessert shop, Abel and Koneko sat together, eating desserts.
However, Abel's thoughts were not on the desserts, but on the two members of the church. He knew that today, he only needed one meal to abduct two beautiful church girls. Then he would use their gratitude to his advantage.
And then... hehehe.
Looking at the strangely smiling Abel, Koneko said with some disdain, "Pervert senpai."
"Cough cough." Abel choked on that remark.
Alright, he couldn't be too perverted, but since the Holy Sword user was out, Vali should also make an appearance, and his appearance meant that Kuroka would return.
Thinking this, Abel looked at Koneko. "Koneko, do you want to see Kuroka?"
Koneko, who was eating ice cream, paused.
It was false to say she didn't want to. And Abel had told her why Kuroka had defected, but Koneko hoped her sister would tell her in person that she hadn't abandoned her.
Koneko asked, "I want to see her, can I?"
Abel nodded. "Of course, once Yuto's matter is resolved, I'll bring her back."
"Mm."
Hearing Abel's assurance, Koneko's mood brightened, and she ate the ice cream in front of her in small bites.
At this moment, Abel's phone rang.
A call from Italy? Who is this?
Abel thought for a moment and answered the call. Before he could speak, a familiar voice came from the phone.
"Hello, Abel, my dear friend, it's been a long time since we last spoke, how have you been recently?"
King of Swords, Salvatore Doni.
Don't ask why he had his phone number. After all, a King has his own channels.
"Not bad, what's up?"
"That battle was amazing, interested in another one?"
On the other end of the phone, Salvatore Doni was fishing in the ocean.
Abel smiled. "If you want to come, then come, but if you have something to say, just say it. After all, given your personality, you'd probably already be here by now."
"Hahaha! As expected of my dear friend, you understand me so well."
Salvatore said with a serious expression, "Do you remember Voban?"
"The First Godslayer, right? What about him?"
"He seems to have come to Japan. As the host, you must entertain him well."
"Huh?"
Abel was startled.
At this point in time, Voban really came?
Are you kidding me?
Did the Fallen Angel or the Church people reach an agreement with Voban?
Oh right, Voban came to Japan in the original series to summon a Heretic God using Mariya Yuri.
Hiss...
Divine artifacts, shrine maidens, and the Starless Night.
Abel frowned slightly, feeling it was a bit tricky, and he felt that this was not simply about dealing with a Heretic God.
This was about dealing with him!
While Abel was thinking, Salvatore Doni's voice sounded again. "Do you want me to come and help?"
Abel refused, "No need, thank you for the information, I can handle this small matter."
If Salvatore Doni came, after fighting Voban, he would have to fight him too. Wouldn't that just cause more trouble?
"That's a shame, but are you really sure you don't need my help?"
"No need. If you keep bothering me, I'll throw you to Issei."
"Huh? Who is Issei? A strong person?"
Salvatore Doni became interested. After all, any man Abel could name must be a strong person. He definitely had to meet him next time.
Salvatore Doni would definitely hit his current self later for bringing such an eccentric person upon himself.
"Mm, a very eccentric strong person, you'll know when you meet him."
With that, Abel hung up the phone.
Salvatore Doni shrugged, looking at the hung-up phone.
At this moment, a huge force came from the fishing rod.
...
Abel looked at his phone, a slight smile appearing on his lips. He looked forward to Salvatore Doni's expression of regret.
Abel leaned back on the sofa, feeling that many things were going to happen tonight. Never mind, just live in the present.
"Finished eating?"
Koneko nodded. "Mm."
"Let's stroll around the street."
Saying that, Abel paid the bill and took Koneko to stroll around the street, and also to look for Irina and Xenovia.