Maria Naruse's appearance instantly gave Mio Naruse a sense of security.
"Maria!"
"Mio-sama."
Calling out to each other, they quickly closed the distance. But as soon as she was near, Mio leaned in and whispered sharply. "Maria, why were you gone so long? I was worried sick!"
A flicker of helplessness and loneliness crossed Maria's eyes, but she answered in a teasing tone. "Mio-sama, you've inherited the Gremory clan's demon bloodline. Low-level cursed spirits like those can't hurt you. I truly had urgent business just now. And the situation has become more severe—we need to find a base to lay low for a few days."
As she finished speaking, Maria looked toward Takumi. A trace of guilt showed on her face before she lifted her pale hand. "I'm grateful for your help, but Mio-sama's whereabouts cannot be exposed!"
The next moment, a strange glow emanated from her palm, invisible ripples spreading outward.
Seeing this, Mio instinctively grabbed her hand, hurriedly stopping her. "What are you doing, Maria? He just helped me…"
But Maria cut her off. "Mio-sama, he's obviously an exorcist. His identity is far too sensitive. I'm not trying to harm him—only to alter his memory with my power. That way we can use his cover to stay at his home temporarily. Compared to those vile swindlers, this is just a harmless little lie."
Her reasoning left Mio speechless. When her demon bloodline awakened, her foster parents had been killed, leaving behind wealth and inheritance. The lawyer handling the will had tried to cheat her. And on the way to Kuoh, she had met more than a few predatory men. Even if her heart resisted, reality told her Maria's method was the safest.
The moment Mio's silence signaled consent, Maria hastened her memory manipulation spell. "From this moment on, we're your distant cousins, staying at your place for a while."
This was a signature technique of her succubus lineage—planting dream fragments and manipulating memory. With only a premise inserted, the target's mind would subconsciously fill in the details. Confident in her power, Maria quickly withdrew her hand, smiling sweetly at Takumi. "Good evening, onii-chan~ I'll be in your care from now on!"
She nudged the dazed Mio, who snapped out of it and glanced at Takumi. A stranger she'd only just met was now, suddenly, her "Onii-chan." A wave of shame rippled inside her. Blushing, she lowered her head and whispered. "O-Onii-chan… hello."
Watching Mio and Maria bow politely, Takumi stood still, eyes flickering. Of course Maria's succubus magic had no effect on him. But was this situation a blessing or a curse?
Two pretty cousins suddenly moving in—no matter how he looked at it, it was a good thing. And their fate was heavy with fortune; just being near them made the [World-Crossing Gate] progress bar rise rapidly.
"Eh?" Maria tilted her head in puzzlement at his lack of reaction.
Realizing this was all upside for him, Takumi spoke. "Cousins, is it? Glad to meet you both."
He stepped forward, ruffled Maria's hair, and gave her a knowing look. Believing her spell had worked, Maria beamed. "Takumi-nii~ I'm Maria Naruse! Don't forget my name, okay?"
She turned the charm up to full, clinging sweetly, even taking some of his shopping bags.
Mio, seeing this, stepped forward too, murmuring. "Um, Onii-chan… let me carry a little."
Looking at these two capable little sisters, Takumi was nearly moved to tears. Sisters eager to help their Onii-chan—so reliable, and so pretty. If he'd met them years earlier, he might already be carrying two children of his own!
Handing over his bags, he said. "These are food and spices. The new house I bought already has bedding, just missing toiletries."
"Takumi-nii, my cooking is pretty good. Let me make you dinner later," Maria chimed.
A diligent sister and a free cook—Takumi could hardly believe his luck. He had only just plundered the [Protagonist's Halo (Green)], and already fortune was smiling on him. What a waste the last ten-plus years had been!
With a sigh of satisfaction, he led the sisters back to the shopping street to buy toiletries.
The detached house he'd purchased lay some distance away, so the three walked side by side. On his left, Mio's face glowed with happiness. After so long on the run, today felt like the first time she could relax.
She turned to glance at Takumi. He was nothing like the men who had sought to deceive or harm her. Since her foster parents' deaths, this was the first time she thought she might have found someone trustworthy. Yet the thought brought guilt—because this time, she was deceiving him.
"B-but… how should I make it up to him? I'll have to ask Maria later."
Pressing her lips softly, Mio sank into thought.
But before she could decide, Takumi stopped. His sharp senses noticed the sudden silence around them. Too silent—unnervingly so.
"Another Repelling Barrier," he murmured, raising his head to the sky.
Maria sensed it too and quickly seized Mio's hand, her expression stern. "Be careful, Mio-sama. An enemy!"
Black feathers drifted down as a pair of dark wings spread wide, eclipsing the moonlight.
She was tall and strikingly beautiful, with flowing black hair that reached her hips and an aura of icy elegance. Her tight black outfit clung to her graceful curves, accentuating every line of her voluptuous figure.
As her violet eyes fixed on them, both Mio and Maria shivered to the bone.
"A Fallen Angel!" Maria gasped, her face paling.
Fallen Angels wielded light, a force that heavily countered demons. Even when strength was equal, Fallen Angels often held the advantage. And this one's aura, undisguised and oppressive, was unmistakably close to a High-Rank Fallen Angel!
...
If we reach 100 Power Stones this week, I'll release a mass drop of 10 chapters as a thank-you for your amazing support!