"Hmph. Did you really think we'd come unprepared?!"
Raynare's sneer was pure venom, her eyes fixed on Tenra as if he were already a corpse.
As her words fell, the ground and air erupted with magic circles—hundreds of intricate arrays, weaving a cage of light and shadow around Tenra.
"Ha ha ha… Tenra Kamiyo, welcome to the prison we built just for you!"
"Arrogant fool! Once I've crippled you, I'll drag you before Azazel-sama myself. I'll win his love!"
Raynare's laughter rang out, manic and triumphant. Tenra just shook his head, unimpressed.
Raynare was exactly as the stories told—cold, dark, obsessed. She worshipped Azazel, the fallen angel governor, chasing a love that was never hers to claim. In the end, she was just a deluded, self-important fool.
Tenra raised his hand. A black demonic sword shimmered into existence. With a few swift slashes, he struck the barrier encasing him.
"It's useless! Not even a high-class devil could break this prison…"
Raynare's voice dripped with mockery—until the impossible happened.
Crack. Crack. Crack.
Like glass shattering, the supposedly indestructible cage crumbled under Tenra's blade.
"No… Impossible!!!"
Raynare's shriek was raw disbelief.
"Looks like the fallen angels' intel isn't up to snuff. I never said I was only at high-class devil level."
"So, Raynare—what now?"
Tenra's eyes danced with mischief as he watched the stunned faces above.
"Kill him! Kill him now!"
Raynare's composure shattered, her voice twisted with terror.
Mittelt, Kalawarner, and Dohnaseek snapped out of their stupor, eyes burning with murderous intent. Light spears materialized in their hands, then rained down on Tenra in a storm of power.
BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.
Blinding light and thunder shook the night, swallowing Tenra in a maelstrom of energy.
"Is… is it over?"
Mittelt's voice trembled, hovering uncertainly in the air.
"Not yet!"
Kalawarner's eyes widened in horror.
As the dust cleared, Tenra stood unharmed, his [Blade Blacksmith] barrier shimmering around him.
"I told you—you're nowhere near strong enough."
The barrier faded. Tenra's gaze was razor-sharp, and the fallen angels felt the chill in their bones.
"I'm done! I'm out!"
"We can't win—run!"
"Forgive us, Raynare-sama…"
Pale and shaken, Mittelt, Kalawarner, and Dohnaseek shot skyward, fleeing for their lives.
Not cowardice—just common sense. Sticking around to die would be true stupidity.
"Useless trash!"
Raynare's fury was palpable, but she could do nothing.
"Not running, Raynare?"
Tenra's surprise was genuine.
"I'll offer you to Azazel-sama! I'll earn his love! No one can stop me—not you, not anyone!"
Raynare was beyond reason, hurling light spears with wild abandon.
CLANG CLANG CLANG! BOOM BOOM!
Tenra's sword danced, cutting down every spear with ease. In a heartbeat, he flashed to Raynare's side, floating in the air.
"Azazel this, Azazel that… He's just a sleazy old man, Raynare. Is he really worth all this?"
"Ah—!"
Startled, Raynare tumbled from the sky, but her obsession burned undiminished.
"You don't understand Azazel-sama's greatness!"
Landing beside her, Tenra shook his head.
"Maybe I don't. And I don't care to."
Without warning, Tenra drove his foot into Raynare's stomach.
"Ah—!"
She screamed, the pain nearly making her retch.
"So, Raynare… what should I do with you?"
Tenra pressed his blade to her throat, his smile cold.
"It hurts… It hurts… Tenra-senpai, save me…"
The evil mask vanished. Raynare slipped seamlessly into her Yuuma Amano persona—wide-eyed, innocent, helpless.
Tenra couldn't help but laugh. He crouched, lifting Raynare's chin.
"Still playing games, Raynare? At this point, I almost admire how evil and stupid you are…"
Raynare's face twisted, rage flaring as she tried to launch a desperate attack—but Tenra flicked his wrist, golden rings snapping around her wrists and ankles, pinning her fast.
"Let me go! LET ME GO!"
Raynare struggled, screaming, but Tenra had already lost interest.
"Tenra-sama!"
Ile and Nel burst from the shadows, flinging themselves into Tenra's arms.
Behind them, Yubelluna, Tosca, and the rest of the girls appeared. Xuelan and Isabella dragged the unconscious Mittelt and Kalawarner by their collars.
"One got away?"
Tenra frowned, searching for the missing male fallen angel.
Yubelluna started to answer, but Akeno's voice cut in:
"The last one's already been dealt with—by me."
"Anyone who tries to hurt my Tenra… Even fallen angels aren't forgiven."
Lightning crackled around her as Akeno stepped from the darkness, smiling sweetly. Rias and Koneko followed at her side.
"Akeno, Rias—you came too."
"Koneko-chan, you didn't go tattle on me, did you?"
Tenra managed a sheepish grin.
"Hmph. What are you talking about?"
Rias snorted.
"Koneko can use ki, just like you. She sensed Raynare's true nature and worried you'd be deceived, so she called us for backup."
"Oh… Koneko-chan, thank you. You're a good kid."
Tenra ruffled Koneko's hair. She blushed faintly, mumbling,
"I only did it for President and Akeno…"
Rias eyed Raynare, her brow furrowing.
"So they were after your Sacred Gear. Couldn't wait to make their move."
Ara ara—Tenra, what do you plan to do with them?"
Akeno slipped her arm through Tenra's, her smile sweet but her aura icy. With a single word, she'd kill every enemy who'd dared to threaten her Tenra.
Tenra didn't answer right away. His gaze lingered on Raynare, still bound and trembling as the crowd of cold, hostile faces closed in.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
The story isn't over...
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