"This is your home?"
In the Chuo Ward of Chiba City, outside Leon's manor, Utaha Kasumigaoka pointed ahead, a look of utter disbelief on her face.
"Someone gave it to me," Leon said with an air of nonchalance, as if it were no big deal, exuding an invisible sense of showing off. "Not bad, right?"
Utaha Kasumigaoka's eye twitched slightly.
How could "not bad" possibly describe a manor this size?
In all her life, she had never seen anyone living in such a luxurious and extravagant place. For a moment, she wondered if a monarch's palace might be inferior to this.
And this extravagant manor was given to Leon by someone?
Who could be so generous? A friend of yours?
Maybe she should ask if his friend minded becoming her friend, too?
"I finally understand why people suspect you're from a prominent family," Utaha Kasumigaoka finally managed to say after a long pause. "If those troublemakers at Sobu High, who have nothing better to do, knew you lived in a place like this, I doubt anyone would ever question that again."
At that point, the rumors of Leon being from a prominent family would instantly spread throughout Sobu High, causing his status to skyrocket.
Unfortunately, Leon was not interested in this.
"What they suspect, what does it have to do with me?" Leon said dismissively. "Let alone finding out I live here, even if they found out Yukino and Asuna live here, what could they do?"
At this, Utaha Kasumigaoka narrowed her eyes again, giving a tight, insincere smile.
"Don't worry. As long as you don't expose yourselves, they would never imagine that the daughters of the Yukinoshita and Yuuki families would be a certain boy's [Servant] and are already cohabiting with him."
Let alone them, even Utaha Kasumigaoka herself felt astonished and incredulous when Leon first mentioned it. How could anyone else possibly believe it?
If she hadn't already had some suspicions about the relationship between those two and Leon, Utaha Kasumigaoka would definitely think Leon was dreaming.
One must know that the "Ice Queens" of Sobu High were not granted that title just by having a pretty face.
The reason an Ice Queen is an Ice Queen is precisely because they occupy a high position, making them seem unattainable to ordinary people.
Looks, figure, intelligence, talent, family background... every single one of these conditions must be exceptionally outstanding to be called an Ice Queen.
Therefore, including Utaha Kasumigaoka herself, the Ice Queens of Sobu High were all well-born young ladies from prominent families.
Utaha Kasumigaoka and Eriri Spencer Sawamura were alright. While they came from a certain level of family background and their homes could be described as wealthy, compared to Yukino Yukinoshita, Asuna Yuuki, and Mahiru Shiina, they were not exactly prominent families.
Yukino Yukinoshita, Asuna Yuuki, and Mahiru Shiina were different. Each hailed from an established, influential family whose social status was extremely high, having been passed down for several generations. They could all be considered local powerhouses.
Especially the Yuuki family, a prominent family based in Tokyo, was famous nationwide. Even if they couldn't compare to a world-class megacorporation like the Shinomiya family, they were far beyond typical wealthy families.
Yet, a daughter from such a grand family had become someone else's [Servant]. It was simply unbelievable.
"Don't look at us with secular eyes," Leon glanced at Utaha Kasumigaoka. "Although I am not a wealthy noble in the Human World, in the Devil World, I am a genuine High-Class Devil, the contemporary heir of the House of Eligos, one of the Seventy-Two Pillars."
"If we only talk about status, I am higher than any son of a prominent family in this world."
"Even having been temporarily cut off, Eligos is a Devil noble line that has been passed down for countless years. Now that I have inherited all the family's assets, casually letting slip a little bit of wealth from my fingers could cause the financial system of this world to collapse."
As he spoke, Leon led Utaha Kasumigaoka into the manor.
"You can look into that later if you're interested. For now, let me show you our life, as you wished."
Leon led Utaha Kasumigaoka to the mansion entrance.
He had notified the household beforehand that he would be bringing a guest. Thus, not only was a red carpet laid out in front of the mansion gate, but rows of familiars dressed as maids lined up neatly, bowing to welcome them.
Yukino Yukinoshita and Asuna Yuuki also appeared alongside the familiars.
"Welcome to the House of Eligos, Kasumigaoka-senpai."
Yukino Yukinoshita secretly glared at Leon, then greeted Utaha Kasumigaoka in a serious, reserved manner.
"Hello, Senpai. I am Asuna Yuuki, and you are welcome to visit."
Asuna Yuuki had a wider smile than Yukino Yukinoshita, and her demeanor was more poised. She exuded a subtle, gentle aura that made Utaha Kasumigaoka look at her sideways.
"Hello."
Utaha Kasumigaoka nodded to the two of them, not overly enthusiastic.
She was fundamentally a literary girl, not a noblewoman who had formally studied etiquette, so she wasn't too particular about even superficial courtesies.
Moreover, the Ice Queens of Sobu High generally operated on a "kings never meet" principle, were not familiar with each other, and had barely met a few times.
Utaha Kasumigaoka only had some connection with Eriri Spencer Sawamura due to certain private hobbies, and this relationship was kept secret; outsiders had no idea they knew each other.
As for the other Ice Queens, Utaha Kasumigaoka had only met them once or twice.
For instance, Yukino Yukinoshita: Utaha Kasumigaoka had essentially only seen her at the entrance ceremony, as Yukino Yukinoshita was the top student in her grade and had to give a speech. Normally, this "Winter Flower" of Sobu High either stayed in the classroom or the Service Club room, giving them no chance to meet.
Mahiru Shiina, a first-year, was in the same situation. Yukino Yukinoshita was the top second-year, and Mahiru Shiina was the top first-year. Mahiru also gave a speech at this year's entrance ceremony, which was the only time Utaha Kasumigaoka had ever seen her.
Asuna Yuuki was even less likely. Having only transferred as a second-year student recently, what chance did she have to meet Utaha Kasumigaoka, a third-year senpai?
In summary, despite meeting the two other Ice Queens of Sobu High here, Utaha Kasumigaoka was completely unfamiliar with them and was momentarily at a loss for words.
Fortunately, Leon was the host here.
"As you can see, Yukino and Asuna are both my [Servants]. They currently reside in this manor, acting as proper students during the day and quietly engaging in Devil activities in the dark at night."
Leon folded his arms and spoke to Utaha Kasumigaoka.
"Since Senpai is interested in the life of a Devil, you can tour the place first, and then go with either Yukino or Asuna to complete a Devil task. This will give you a taste of how we usually sign contracts with others."
Over several weeks, Yukino Yukinoshita, having resolved her family concerns, had settled into the Devil work, becoming increasingly skilled. While her personality wasn't the best and made her seem difficult to deal with, her meticulous work attitude was reassuring to those seeking to have their wishes fulfilled. As a result, Yukino Yukinoshita had developed a steady stream of repeat customers, and her performance was soaring.
Asuna Yuuki, while carrying out her daily training, started with grassroots work like handing out flyers, just as Yukino Yukinoshita had initially done. A week ago, she successfully received Leon's permission to officially accept summoning and commissions. Although still a bit unfamiliar, her personality and striking looks ensured her work progressed much more smoothly than Yukino Yukinoshita's initial period, requiring no worry from Leon.
This time was precisely when the two began their Devil work for the day.
Thus, Leon simply handed Utaha Kasumigaoka over to them.
"I'll be counting on you both."
Utaha Kasumigaoka seemed quite serious about this, straightening her expression.
"It's no trouble at all, Senpai, don't worry about it," Asuna Yuuki said, taking the initiative since Yukino Yukinoshita showed no sign of speaking. "I'll lead Senpai on a tour of the manor first."
Utaha Kasumigaoka readily agreed, following Asuna Yuuki into the mansion.
Yukino Yukinoshita watched the scene, not immediately following them.
"Is she your next target?"
Yukino Yukinoshita coldly threw the question at Leon.
"Pretty much," Leon didn't deny it. "Although I've been watching her for even longer than I watched you initially, she is indeed the next candidate I've set my sights on."
"You certainly know how to pick them," Yukino Yukinoshita retorted coldly. "Are your next targets Mahiru Shiina from the first year and Eriri Spencer Sawamura from Class G?"
Evidently, Yukino Yukinoshita was subtly mocking Leon's potentially impure initial motives for selection.
First her, then Asuna Yuuki, and now Utaha Kasumigaoka—it seems he only values the Ice Queens of Sobu High, doesn't he?
"You've misunderstood me," Leon spread his hands, looking quite innocent. "I haven't specifically chosen you Ice Queens. It's just that all of you happen to possess that."
"You mean... Sacred Gear?" A hint of surprise appeared on Yukino Yukinoshita's icy face. "Kasumigaoka-senpai is also a Sacred Gear user?"
"That's right," Leon admitted straightforwardly. "I discovered she was a Sacred Gear user as early as two years ago, right when we first enrolled."
This timing was indeed earlier than Yukino Yukinoshita. After all, Yukino Yukinoshita enrolled in Sobu High a year ago, and Leon only discovered her to be a Sacred Gear user then.
However, at that time, he didn't know that the Sacred Gear within Yukino Yukinoshita was a Longinus, not until Yukino Yukinoshita lost control of her power before the start of this school year did he realize it.
Otherwise, Leon's primary target would actually have been Utaha Kasumigaoka, and only then Yukino Yukinoshita.
Yukino Yukinoshita had effectively cut in line ahead of Utaha Kasumigaoka.
-----------------------------------------------
I handpick only the finest and most captivating novels for you. Don't forget to check out my other novels!
p@treon HongMengZi