Determined to trade injury for victory, the Fallen Angel Belgunor unleashed her Thorns of Light with reckless abandon, vowing to pierce Ryuichi straight through.
But Ryuichi didn't even flinch. The blinding spears of light streaked toward him like countless swords, yet he charged straight ahead, eyes fixed on his opponent.
Facing Ryuichi's relentless advance, Belgunor's once-beautiful face twisted into a feral snarl.
"Die!"
Her shrill cry tore through the night as if she were avenging a hatred that had lasted eight lifetimes.
But just as the glowing thorns were about to impale Ryuichi's body, Belgunor's expression froze in disbelief.
Because right before him, out of thin air, a silver-white shield materialized.The shield shone with divine brilliance, releasing a tremendous wave of energy the instant it appeared.
An invisible force field spread outward, wrapping tightly around Ryuichi. The Thorns of Light slammed into it one after another, but each one shattered instantly against the shimmering barrier.
Shing!
A flash of silver light cut through the air.
Ryuichi's blade sliced across the Fallen Angel's body as he passed her. His movements stopped behind her as silence fell.
Belgunor's eyes widened, frozen mid-scream. Then, with a sudden spray of blood, a deep crimson line appeared from her shoulder down to her lower ribs. Her upper body slid away, falling to the ground with a dull thud.
Ryuichi turned, glancing at her collapsing form. His voice was cold and faint.
"Idiot."
Who in their right mind would think of dying together with someone like that?
She wasn't some great figure whose death would shake the world.Perishing alongside her wouldn't make anyone proud—if anything, it'd be laughable.
From the very beginning, Ryuichi had been hiding his trump card.
The true power of the divine artifact Sword and Shield of the King didn't lie in the brilliant sword he wielded—known by its true name, King's Blade—but in the autonomous silver shield that could protect its master.
Its true name was—God's Lament.
Even lying on the ground, Belgunor hadn't died immediately. Her celestial vitality was strong, and disbelief still lingered in her fading eyes.Me… killed by a mere low-class Devil? Impossible…
Ryuichi's expression didn't change. He stepped forward and brought his sword down once more.
Under the raging demonic power of the King's Blade, the Fallen Angel's body disintegrated completely—leaving only a faint trace of ash drifting away in the night breeze.
Only then did Ryuichi's strength finally give out. His body swayed, and he dropped to one knee, glancing up at the sky. The barrier surrounding the area dissolved as its caster perished.
He raised his hand.A crimson Devil's seal appeared on his palm, glowing faintly.
The barrier had blocked communication before, preventing him from calling out to Rias. Fortunately, he'd managed to finish off the Fallen Angel before things got worse.
I have to be more careful next time, he thought, exhaling softly. I was lucky tonight. That one wasn't all that strong.
Luck wouldn't save him twice. He needed to start forming proper contracts soon—otherwise, next time, he might not survive.
A crimson magic circle flared on the ground beside him. From it emerged Rias Gremory, Akeno Himejima, and Koneko Toujou. The moment they saw Ryuichi kneeling, clutching his sword for support, all three rushed forward.
"Ryuichi! What happened!?"
The instant Rias received his distress signal, she had teleported over with the others without hesitation.
Her expression was sharp and fierce, but when her eyes fell upon the bleeding wound in Ryuichi's leg, a flash of pure fury crossed her face.
"This wound… It's from a Light Spear! Who did this to you!?"
In that instant, Rias radiated terrifying demonic pressure—her eyes gleaming like a true noble of the House of Gremory.
Seeing her treasured servant injured ignited a deep, primal anger within her.
Ryuichi looked up at her.For the first time, he could feel genuine concern in her voice and gaze—and that warmth softened his normally cold expression.
"President, relax. The one who hurt me… has already been turned to ash."
He waved dismissively, pushing himself up using the King's Blade. The pain coursing through his body made him wince involuntarily.
"Ahh—damn, President… how do I get rid of this light poison? It's killing me!"
Cold sweat trickled down his face; his shirt was already drenched.
"Light poison?" Rias's eyes widened. Then she quickly realized what he meant.
"You mean the divine energy of light! Yes, that's lethal to low-class Devils. It must be agony. Come, we're going back. I'll treat you myself."
"Alright… sorry for troubling you again," Ryuichi murmured, his tone apologetic despite the pain.
"Don't be silly, you adorable fool. I'm your master, remember?"Rias smiled softly as she supported him, wrapping his arm around her shoulder so he could lean against her.
Then she looked back at Akeno and Koneko."You two handle the cleanup here—and find out everything you can about that Fallen Angel."
Akeno's lips curved into a faintly dangerous smile. "Ara ara… leave it to us. We'll take care of everything, won't we, Koneko-chan?"
Koneko simply nodded.
Rias nodded once and immediately teleported Ryuichi back to his house, wasting no time as she began healing him.
When Rias's fair, soft body pressed gently against his back, Ryuichi suddenly remembered—So that's what happened that night…
The last time he'd felt this warmth, it had been the moment he was reborn as a Devil in her arms.He almost laughed to himself. Man… this is really kind of intoxicating.
"Ryuichi, your heartbeat's getting faster," Rias said playfully, hugging him from behind as her hand rested over his heart.
He could feel it all—the silk-like smoothness of her skin, the faint fragrance of her hair, and most of all, the surge of pure demonic energy flowing through her body into his.
That magic poured through every inch of his flesh, driving out the lingering light energy that had been tormenting his nerves.The pain slowly ebbed away, replaced by a spreading warmth.
Ryuichi exhaled. "I just… didn't expect this to be your idea of treatment."
"Oh? Are you saying you mind us being like this? Or do you not like my body?" Rias teased, her lips close to his ear, her breath tickling his skin.
"…You don't seem to mind, so why would I?" he replied with a small smile."As for your body… I think there's no man alive who wouldn't like it, President."
"Hmph… I'll let that count as a passing answer," Rias said with a satisfied smile.She patted his back lightly. "Alright, treatment's done. You're drenched in sweat—go take a shower."
"So fast?" Ryuichi muttered. He couldn't help but feel a tiny pang of regret as her warmth slipped away.
"What's wrong? Did you want to get a little closer to me?" she teased again, eyes glimmering with mischief. "If it's you, Ryuichi, I wouldn't refuse. You can do whatever you like to me~"
Her slender fingers brushed his cheek, her smile breathtakingly beautiful—and dangerously seductive.
"…I didn't think such heavenly words could exist," Ryuichi said, chuckling softly.But he didn't move closer. His expression stayed calm, his voice steady.
"Unfortunately… maybe it's the remnants of my human heart, but I don't feel right about something without any emotion behind it."