Chapter 177: You dare to approach me?

Riser sometimes wondered whether he was the protagonist as he had met many troubles the moment he decided to do something.

No, he felt like... fate was trying to stop him as it wished to make the existence of the "real" protagonist, or the one chosen by the creator, become a dazzling existence favored by everyone.

Meanwhile, as Riser wasn't that person, he could only let himself be beaten and became the stepping stone for the protagonist.

Nevertheless, Riser knew he needed to handle the situation in front of him.

"Why did you follow me?"

"Why can't I follow you?"

"......"

Riser looked at Gabriel, who looked at him naively and curiously. It seemed that she didn't have any wariness at what kind of dangerous beast he was and just followed him like it was normal.

While the peace of the three factions was inevitable, especially when the news about God's passing away should be heard by other pantheons, the peace hadn't been concluded.

Even if he did nothing, he believed that in every corner of this world, there should be many angels, devils, and fallen angels who fought each other.

Still, the fight should be mostly angels against devils and fallen angels, as the fallen angels had been conquered by him.

Even though Riser knew many of the fallen angels couldn't accept his rule, in front of overwhelming power, they could only cower to save their lives.

If they made Riser come once again, could they save their lives?

Even if they didn't care about their lives, what about the lives of their lovers, children, families, and comrades?

This had become a dilemma for them as they could only accept his rule, gaining peace, even if they might become his slaves, or fight, gaining freedom, but with the price of all of them might die.

In the end, facing such consequences, they could only become his slaves.

If there was something that made the fallen angels feel relief, it was all due to the fact that Riser really did nothing after that, and he didn't even come to the Grigori as if he had forgotten their existence.

While they felt complex, they really hoped for Riser to forget about them, and while they knew it might be hard, they hoped for him to conquer their comrades in heaven so they wouldn't feel miserable alone.

—or they hoped for Riser to be defeated or killed by Sirzech, but such a chance, was it even possible?

After all, Riser couldn't die.

"If you are worried that I might do something, then you don't need to. My purpose in coming to Italy is due to curiosity about the side of heaven and the church since we are about to have a meeting. I have met the fallen angel, but I don't know much about the angels, so I decided to visit the Vatican and make a trip to Italy.

"Moreover, you are not my opponent, so you might as well leave so you won't be hurt."

This was the truth, as Riser didn't think Gabriel could be his opponent, and he was sure that Gabriel also understood this, but—

"Are you going to hurt me?" Gabriel asked.

"...no, if you are not provoking me. I don't like meaningless fights, after all."

As long as no one provoked him, Riser wouldn't do anything.

However, the world wouldn't work that way as they often attacked him with various things.

Nevertheless, her answer made him lose his rhythm as she was just too pure.

"Then, I won't provoke you, but can I follow you?"

"...you want to follow me?"

"Un." Gabriel nodded naively.

"Why?"

"Because, like you, I am curious."

"...curious?"

"You were the first devil who dared to step into the Vatican brazenly while eating gelato, after all, so I am curious about you."

"...." Riser.

"Moreover, if you don't plan something bad, you shouldn't mind if I follow you, right? After all, you won't do anything bad."

Gabriel showed a kind and gentle smile as she said those words.

"..."

Um, I might not do something bad to others, but I might do something bad to you.

Nevertheless, Riser didn't say that and only sighed helplessly. "...just do whatever you want." Frankly, he was quite lonely to do this trip alone, and he would be lying if he didn't feel curious about an angel.

Xenovia was just an ace exorcist, so there were many things that she didn't know as she wasn't someone with a high position, considering how young she was.

However, Gabriel was different as she was one of the Four Great Seraphims created by God from the Bible.

There was no doubt many things could be learned from her, especially when she was born at the beginning of the world.

Still, was it his imagination that this Seraph was quite crafty?

"Thanks." Gabriel's smile became even brighter, but then she asked, "So, what are you doing after this?" After all, he told him his purpose for visiting the Vatican was just out of curiosity, so after he was satisfied, what was he going to do?

"I won't go back to Italy for a while, so I thought to take a trip around Italy." Riser looked at Gabriel and asked, "You are one of the Seraphims and also the saintess. Is it okay for you to follow me like this?" Given her identity, shouldn't she be extremely busy? There shouldn't be a time for her to follow him on this trip, right?

"It should be okay. Even without me, everything will be okay."

"......"

Riser looked at Gabriel, who said those words with ease.

Did she indirectly tell him about the matter of God, who had passed away?

Nevertheless, even if God passed away, life would continue. No, they needed to continue to live even if they had many doubts about the future.

The way Gabriel said those words, it was as if she truly believed that even if she passed away, everything would be okay.

Riser wondered whether Gabriel had prepared to give up her life when she followed him. He knew that except for the Underworld and all the devils, who were fascinated by his strength and charisma, the others, especially from the opposite or the enemies of the devils, were trembling due to his might.

The image he gave everyone was extremely aggressive, like a hungry beast that would hunt anyone it saw to satiate his lust for blood.

Knowing that she wasn't his opponent, she still came toward him, ready to sacrifice her life.

Facing such a woman, Riser felt conflicted, but he could only say that it was as expected of an angel, the one known for being selfless.

Still, Riser knew that someone like Gabriel was rare. No, she was like an endangered species.

However, it had nothing to do with him since he knew their interaction would end the moment he left Italy.

As he walked outside of the city, she also followed him quietly.

Then, when there were no people, he took out a Mercedes-Benz G-Class from his dimensional storage and rode on it.

Still, Gabriel fell silent and didn't do anything, only staring at him.

"What are you doing? Come in."

"...is that okay?"

"Aren't you going to follow me?"

His words were like a provocation, but Gabriel only smiled. "Thank you." She went to the passenger seat without hesitation, sitting by his side. She might be an angel, but that didn't mean she didn't know the development of technology from humans. Nevertheless, as an angel, she had never felt greedy, living frugally, so as long as she had enough, then she was okay so the thought of using a car had never crossed her mind.

In other words, Riser took Gabriel's first time.

"It's my first time."

"Is that so?"

"Please be gentle, okay?"

"No."

"....." Gabriel.

By then, two people, an angel, and a devil, started their trip around Italy, but suddenly Gabriel told him to stop.

"Wait a moment."

"What's wrong?"

Riser was confused, but then he saw Gabriel walk out of the car and approach an old lady from a distance.

"Are you okay? Let me help you."

"Ah, I am sorry, young lady."

The old lady was touched by Gabriel's kindness.

"Are you going somewhere?"

"I am planning to go home..."

As the two talked to each other, Riser decided to ignore them, but—

"Riser, can you help too?"

With a gentle smile on her face, Gabriel asked him gently.

"....." Riser.