BOOM! BOOM BOOM!
Night blanketed Kuoh Town, but in a deserted alley, Rias and her servants were locked in battle against a pack of Stray Devils—twisted souls who'd escaped to the human world.
"Ahhh… let's all die together!"
Feral and desperate, one monstrous Stray Devil lunged for Gasper, its face contorted with rage. If it was going down, it would drag someone with it.
"Don't come near me!"
Panic written all over his face, Gasper triggered his Evil Eye. A ripple of invisible force swept out, freezing the charging devil mid-leap—locked in time, helpless.
"Die…"
Koneko's voice was soft, almost gentle. She darted in, her fist slamming into the immobilized devil.
CRASH!
The impact echoed like thunder. The Stray Devil didn't even have time to scream before its body shattered, chunks of flesh scattering across the pavement.
"Gasper, you alright?"
Koneko landed lightly, concern flickering in her eyes.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine…"
Gasper patted his chest, still shaken.
"Gasper."
"What is it?"
"Coward."
"…"
"Waaah! Koneko-chan, you're so mean!"
Trying so hard to be brave, only to be roasted by Koneko—a girl, no less. Gasper clutched his face and fled, sobbing, his fragile heart suffering a critical hit.
A faint smile tugged at Koneko's lips. Who'd ever guess that beneath her deadpan exterior lurked such a wicked sense of humor?
"Koneko, fall back."
"Understood, President."
Rias's command rang out overhead. Koneko nodded and slipped away from the battlefield.
"Damn Gremory devils! Don't let her get away!"
"Kill them! Leave none alive!"
Roars filled the air as the remaining Stray Devils gave chase, bloodlust driving them forward.
"Lightning!"
"It's over!"
Akeno and Rias spoke in unison. Crimson destruction magic and jagged bolts of lightning rained down, obliterating the pack in a single, blinding explosion.
Screams. Then silence.
"Come on, Gasper, don't be sad…"
"Uuu… Koneko-chan bullied me…"
Asia crouched beside Gasper, soothing him as best she could. Tenra, watching, could only shake his head and look away. That kid was hopeless—best not to get involved.
"Koneko-chan, you okay?"
Koneko walked back, cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "I'm fine…"
Before Tenra could tease her further, two figures dropped from the sky—Rias and Akeno.
Akeno wore her shrine maiden robes, lightning crackling around her, eyes glinting with mischief. Rias stood beside her, clad in blood-red armor that masked her face but left flashes of pale skin exposed. She looked every inch a warrior goddess.
The Red Dragon Emperor's armor.
"Impressive, Rias. You've mastered Balance Breaker already."
Tenra's eyes shone with genuine admiration.
When he'd first seized the Boosted Gear, he'd reached Balance Breaker thanks to his overwhelming power and the talent granted by Sacred Gear Plunder. But Rias had done it in days, relying on her own skill—and the natural affinity between her destructive magic and the Red Dragon Emperor's strength.
"Are you proud of me?"
Dismissing her armor, Rias wrapped her arms around Tenra's neck, her smile pure Gremory arrogance.
"Absolutely."
Tenra grinned and kissed her, no hesitation.
Freed's incident was days behind them, and there'd been no further news. Without a healing Sacred Gear like Saint's Smile, their enemies were probably licking their wounds in hiding. Tenra wasn't worried. Sooner or later, Freed and Balba Galilei would resurface—and he'd deal with them then.
In the meantime, Rias had officially invited Asia and Gasper to join her household. After some deliberation (and Tenra's input), both accepted, forming contracts to become her Bishops.
Asia's healing was invaluable—Saint's Smile might not be a weapon, but it kept the team alive. Gasper's Evil Eye was a battlefield equalizer, freezing enemies and opening opportunities. If only the boy's courage matched his power; despite Tenra's years of training, Gasper's nerves remained fragile, a perpetual headache for Rias.
"It's late. Let's head home."
Tenra let Rias go, smiling.
With Stray Devils eliminated, no one wanted to linger. Akeno opened a teleportation circle, and the group vanished into the night.
—
BANG!
The iron door to the church's underground chamber slammed open. Two cloaked girls strode inside—Xenovia and Irina.
"No mistake. The holy sword's aura still lingers, but the heretics have fled," Xenovia said, scanning the wreckage.
"The Orthodox Exorcist was killed. What now, Xenovia?" Irina asked, glancing around uneasily.
"Hmph. That's what he gets for charging in before we could regroup."
Xenovia's tone was icy. "We'll hunt down the Fallen Angels and heretics ourselves. If necessary, we'll destroy Excalibur—better that than letting evil hands abuse its power."
"But first, to avoid trouble, we should meet the devil who manages this town. If our intel's right, it's Demon King Lucifer's sister."
Her eyes gleamed cold and sharp.
"Eh? We're meeting the Demon King's sister? But I wanted to see Tenra first… It's been ages!"
Irina pouted.
"Irina, I don't know who this 'Tenra' is, but the mission comes first!"
"Yeah, yeah, you're just like those old nuns back at church."
"Nuns?! Irina!"
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