"Asia, have you really thought this through?"
Arashi Hayata looked at her seriously. "Are you sure you want to become my follower — a demon?"
Asia hesitated, her small hands clenched tightly. "Brother Arashi… do you really need my strength?"
"I do."
Arashi's reply was firm and sincere.
He hadn't mentioned it earlier because of Asia's strong faith. He feared that asking might frighten her.
But hearing his words now, Asia's eyes softened.
Brother Arashi is a good person… If it's for him, maybe the Lord will forgive me, she thought.
Her gaze steadied. "Okay. Asia will become a demon."
"Another case of a smooth-talking devil tricking an innocent girl," Kasumigaoka Utaha remarked dryly, giving Arashi a teasing look.
"You're the culprit here," Arashi muttered, glaring back before pulling a chess piece from his pocket — a bishop piece, perfectly suited for Asia's abilities.
"What should I do?" Asia asked nervously, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It's simple," Arashi said. "We just need to perform the reincarnation ritual."
He twirled the chess piece thoughtfully, wondering where to begin.
"Let me handle it," Kasumigaoka Utaha said, taking the piece from his hand before he could stop her.
"…" Arashi sighed inwardly. Careless, this woman.
"Ara ara, my perverted master, what kind of expression is that?" Utaha grinned mischievously.
Arashi maintained a calm, gentlemanly face.
Utaha chuckled and turned to Asia. "Alright, now open this."
"Eh?"
Asia froze, her cheeks instantly turning crimson like a ripe apple.
Is… is this really part of the ritual? Something feels wrong…
Seeing her panic, Utaha smiled. "Relax, I'm just placing the chess piece."
"Oh…" Asia blinked rapidly and tried to compose herself, though her heart was pounding.
Even with Arashi standing nearby, she felt overwhelmed and shy — almost as if steam was rising from her head.
But when she met his calm, reassuring eyes, her embarrassment melted away.
I shouldn't think such indecent thoughts… he's being serious, she told herself.
Utaha's movements were swift and precise. With one graceful motion, she placed the chess piece at the right spot.
In an instant, the bishop piece fused into Asia's body.
A dark red magic circle flared beneath them, filling the entire room with radiant light.
Moments later, the reincarnation ceremony was complete.
Sweat glistened on Asia's forehead. Her frail body suddenly felt powerful — overflowing with new energy.
"Have I… really become a devil?" she asked softly.
Something strange stirred behind her. A moment later — whoosh! — a pair of black, elegant devil wings spread wide.
Asia's eyes widened in awe. "I-I really did become a devil…"
She knelt down and began to pray, "Almighty God, please forgive me—ah! It hurts!"
"You're a devil now," Arashi said, half amused, half helpless. "It's best not to pray anymore."
Asia wiped her tears and nodded. "I'll remember that!"
Her faith clashed with her new reality, but knowing she could now help Arashi made her heart lighter.
"From now on, train with Utaha," Arashi said gently, patting her head. "If you ever have questions, come to me."
"Y-Yes, Brother Arashi!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha watched them, her expression twitching slightly. Did I just invite trouble into the house?
Asia turned and bowed to her. "Please take care of me from now on, Utaha-senpai!"
"…Forget it," Utaha sighed, half-smiling. "Why bother competing with this silly kid?"
Meanwhile — The Underworld
The skies of the Underworld shimmered like a still blue lake. Endless land stretched into the horizon.
Inside the grand castle of the Gremory family, a quiet tension filled a spacious office lined with papers.
At the desk sat a red-haired man with a calm, noble air — Sirzechs Gremory, one of the Four Satans.
Across from him stood a tall, silver-haired maid whose mere presence radiated chilling power — Grayfia Lucifuge, the Silver-Haired Queen of Annihilation.
Both were among the strongest beings in the Underworld.
"Are you saying Arashi Hayata wants to challenge Riser to a ranking game — to claim Rias's hand in marriage?" Sirzechs asked, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Yes," Grayfia replied evenly. "Neither Arashi nor Lady Rias are reckless. If they've decided, they must be confident in their victory."
Sirzechs leaned back, a faint smile forming. "In that case, perhaps it's time I lend a hand."
He'd long been searching for a way to cancel Rias's unwanted engagement.
And now, the opportunity had finally arrived.
"Shall I make the arrangements?" Grayfia asked.
"Do it," Sirzechs said firmly. "Make sure everything is flawless. The old nobles mustn't find a single reason to object."
"Yes, my lord."
With a shimmer of magic, Grayfia vanished from sight.
Left alone, Sirzechs looked out the window, his crimson eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"Arashi Hayata… you only just ascended to high-class demon rank," he murmured. "Where does your confidence come from?"
He smiled faintly. "This ranking game… might be more interesting than I thought."