"I'm actually a little surprised you let me pull you away so obediently."
At the other end of the corridor, Yoru stopped and said this while looking at Serafall in front of him.
"Hmph, I just didn't want to make Sona sad."
Serafall pouted slightly, sounding a bit displeased. Then, she gently hugged Sona and spoke apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Sona. I didn't think this through. But do you really feel it's fine like this? He's your servant too. You have every right to share in the honor he brings."
"It's fine, sister. If it's about honor, being the sister of a Maou is already more than enough for me."
Seeing her sister's concern, Sona gave a small smile, showing that she truly didn't mind.
"Still, it's best to keep Yoru's identity a secret. If it's revealed too soon, it could bring him unnecessary danger—especially now, with the Three Factions meeting about to take place."
"You're spoiling him too much. It's because you, as his master, pamper this subordinate of yours so much that… that…"
Serafall's voice suddenly trailed off as she instinctively covered her mouth—nearly letting slip that she knew about the relationship between Yoru and Sona.
Sona didn't notice anything strange, but Yoru arched an eyebrow, giving Serafall a curious look.
In Sona's mind, if her sister ever found out about her and Yoru, she'd surely lose her temper, maybe even try to kill him. So it never occurred to her that Serafall might already know.
But Yoru was different. From her expression, he guessed that Serafall probably already knew, and the reason she was acting so calm was because… she approved of him.
After all, a Devil reincarnated from eleven Evil Pieces was a being whose potential even the Maou couldn't predict. Entrusting her little sister to such a person wasn't unreasonable.
"Of course not. Even as a master, what's wrong with spoiling one's subordinate?"
Sona smiled lightly without a trace of concern, while Serafall sighed softly.
"Fine, your caution does make sense. Right now, exposing him too early would indeed be dangerous. But once his power grows enough to face anything, you must boldly tell everyone that he is your servant—Sona's servant—and a member of the Sitri family."
"Naturally, sister. Yoru has always been my servant, and that will never change!"
"My little Sona really has grown up. You're no longer that tiny girl who clung to me all day, begging for attention. Uuu… I'm suddenly so happy, but also so sad. Does my little Sona… not need her sister anymore?"
"Don't suddenly start acting spoiled in front of me! Please remember your position—you're Leviathan, one of the Four Great Maou of the Underworld!!"
Watching the two sisters bicker, Yoru's lips curved into a faint smile. It seemed there was nothing more he needed to say.
Though Serafall could be a bit flighty, her love for her sister wasn't just blind indulgence.
◇
The somewhat chaotic open class finally came to an end, and soon, it was the day of the Three Factions meeting.
It was the weekend, and with no one else at Kuoh Academy, the meeting was held there.
As president of the Occult Research Club—or rather, as the next heir of the pure-blooded, high-ranking Devil house of Gremory—Rias opened the door to the Kuoh Academy conference room.
"Excuse us."
After offering a polite apology, Rias and Yoru stepped in first, followed by the rest of her servants.
Inside was a lavish table prepared specially for this meeting. Those seated around it were divided into three factions.
On the Devil side: Maou Sirzechs Lucifer and Serafall Leviathan. Naturally, Grayfia was standing by with a tea cart.
On the Angel side: Michael, with his golden wings and halo, and a beautiful, ethereal female angel seated beside him.
On the Fallen Angel side: Azazel, with twelve jet-black wings, and the "White Dragon Emperor" Vali. The three factions were already in place; only Rias and the other core members of the Kokabiel incident had yet to arrive.
"This is my little sister and her servants. They played a notable role in the Kokabiel incident a few days ago."
As Rias's older brother, Sirzechs proudly introduced them to the Angels and Fallen Angels.
"You've worked hard. I've received the reports, but allow me to thank you again."
The one who responded was the Archangel Michael, giving a kind nod toward Yoru and Rias. Although they hadn't retrieved the Holy Sword, defeating Kokabiel had greatly preserved Heaven's honor—that was reason enough for his gratitude.
The Governor of the Fallen Angels, Azazel, smirked in amusement.
"We meet again, ice kid. And sorry for the trouble—Kokabiel from my side really caused you some problems."
His tone was so casual and irreverent that it carried no hint of an actual apology.
"Alright, now that everyone is here… All of you know the most important forbidden truth: 'God is no longer present.' Since we're clear on that, let's begin the formal talks."
With a wave of Sirzechs's hand, the critical summit between the three leaders officially began. The meeting proceeded smoothly, with all sides testing the waters. The Fallen Angel Governor, however, seemed utterly nonchalant, occasionally tossing in a comment. Even here, it seemed no one—not even the White Dragon Emperor—could truly rein him in.
"Next, Rias… it's about time we discussed the incident from the other day."
"Yes, Lord Lucifer."
Finally, the Kokabiel incident came up. At Sirzechs's prompt, Rias and Sona stepped forward. With the aid of magic to keep emotions in check, Rias calmly recounted in detail everything she knew about the incident.
"That concludes my report as Rias Gremory, and that of my servants regarding the incident."
"I, Sona Sitri, also affirm that this report contains no fabrication."
With the report and testimony complete, the three faction leaders each showed different expressions.
"Good work. You may step back now," Sirzechs said, while Serafall blinked her cute eyes.
"Thanks, Rias-chan, Sona-chan~"
Even in such a formal meeting, the slightly airheaded Maou showed no sign of constraint.
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