By the time Leon and Sirzechs returned to Kuoh Academy and re-entered the Old School Building, Yuuto Kiba and Ruruko Nimura—who had been severely injured and unconscious—were already fully healed.
Yuuto Kiba had originally lost an arm, but now that arm was perfectly back in its original place, looking as if it had never been injured at all. This sight came as a shock to everyone who had witnessed his previous wretched state.
"So this is the effect of Phoenix Tears? That's truly incredible!"
Leon was marveled by the results, even entertaining the thought of getting his hands on some Phoenix Tears. An item with such potent healing effects was essentially equivalent to having a second life. If he could obtain some, he wouldn't have to fear anyone getting hurt even if they were attacked again in the future.
Unfortunately, Phoenix Tears were highly regulated items. Even an heir to a pure-blooded Devil family like Leon couldn't obtain them at will. Otherwise, Rias and Sona Shitori wouldn't have had to formally report to the Underworld just to obtain two vials to save lives.
Both of them were the next heads of pure-blooded Devil families, and unlike the Eligos family, the Gremory and Sitri families were currently in their prime. With members serving as Devil Kings, their backgrounds were terrifyingly deep. Yet, even they had to go through official procedures to apply for two vials for emergency use, which showed just how difficult it was to obtain this item.
"I'll just have to wait until I participate in Rating Games to find a way to get some."
Leon temporarily suppressed the thought. Once they reached the stage where they could participate in Rating Games, Phoenix Tears would be allowed for use as competitive items, and he might find a way to secure a few then. For now, he could only watch.
With Yuuto Kiba and Ruruko Nimura healed, Rias and Sona Shitori visibly relaxed, no longer burdened by fear and worry. After a day of rest, the others had either fully recovered or were mobile enough to no longer be confined to their beds.
Under the summons of Leon, Rias, and Sona, everyone gathered in the Occult Research Club to have an audience with the current Devil King, Sirzechs Lucifer.
"He is the Devil King Lucifer?"
Yukino Yukinoshita looked at the gentle-faced Sirzechs with a hint of doubt.
"He doesn't look like one," Utaha Kasumigaoka whispered softly.
"I... I thought a Devil King would look more terrifying."
"Yeah, he doesn't look like a legendary Devil King at all; he's more like a kind older brother from next door."
Asuna Yuuki and Mahiru Shiina also expressed their own impressions.
To this, Leon could only say—
"That's because you're lucky enough not to have seen him lose his temper." Leon tapped the foreheads of his dependents, reminding them not to be rude while saying, "If you are ever fortunate enough to see his true form in the future, you will understand then what it means to be the strongest Devil King."
Despite Leon's words, the girls exchanged looks, clearly unable to relate, still misled by Sirzechs' gentle appearance. In contrast, the members of the Gremory and Sitri peerages were all sitting stiffly and nervously, showing a clear sense of restraint in the presence of the Devil King.
"I am relieved to see you are all safe."
Sirzechs sat behind the desk with Grayfia standing behind him. Acting as if he were the master of the room, he wore a relaxed smile. "I have heard of your heroic performance from your masters. You all worked hard yesterday."
The Devil King's consolation made the dependents feel somewhat overwhelmed and humble.
"No, we didn't do anything."
"That's right. We exhausted ourselves just fending off the enemy's attack. In the end, our masters had to come save us. We achieved nothing."
"Forget achieving anything, we even dragged the three masters down."
"We weren't any help at all and only made our masters worry. It was truly shameful of us."
"Exactly."
The group spoke one after another, their spirits sinking lower with every word. Particularly Koneko Toujou, Tsubasa Yura, Reya Kusaka, and Momo Hanakai—some lowered their heads in gloom, while others clenched their fists in frustration.
In their eyes, they had been the most useless during yesterday's incident. Although Yuuto Kiba and Ruruko Nimura were severely injured, Kiba had ended up that way to protect his comrades, and Nimura had fought bravely until she collapsed. Only they had been protected by Utaha Kasumigaoka and Mahiru Shiina throughout the ordeal to eventually escape danger.
If Utaha hadn't used her barriers to protect Koneko and Tsubasa, the two would surely have fallen under the concentrated fire of the stray magicians. If Mahiru hadn't used the power of the Holy Cross to clear the path, Reya and Momo would have perished in the traps of the first room; how could they have possibly reached the third?
Even Meguri Tomoe felt that if Asuna hadn't been there to provide her with a Holy Sword as a weapon, she would have certainly fallen in the first room.
As if that wasn't enough, the fact that they, as dependents, failed to break through the obstacles to reach their master's side and offer their strength—and instead required their masters to rescue them from peril—was the most unbearable part.
"We are too weak."
Koneko Toujou voiced the frustration in everyone's hearts with a low whisper, causing the group to lower their heads in shame.
Seeing this, Yukino Yukinoshita and the others also fell into silence. Their performance had been satisfactory, but according to the logic of the Gremory and Sitri peerages, hadn't they also failed to help their master and required their master to save them?
Especially Yukino—she had been on the verge of death. If Leon hadn't successfully killed Luffy Trix, gained ownership of the pocket dimension, and used his authority as the new ruler to open a passage to find her, she might have met her second death in this life.
Thinking of this, a sense of despondency gradually rose in the hearts of the four girls.
Looking at Yukino and the others, Leon opened his mouth but said nothing. Rias and Sona did the same, remaining silent. They knew that someone would say what needed to be said for them.
"Lift your heads, everyone."
Sirzechs' gentle voice entered their ears, causing everyone to instinctively follow his lead.
"I am very happy to see you care so much for your masters. Seeing you like this brings me great comfort."
Sirzechs looked at everyone present as if he were gazing upon shining treasures, his face showing visible joy. "However, please remember that the relationship between a King and their dependents is never one-sided; it is mutual."
"While many believe a servant should offer everything to their master—a view that isn't necessarily wrong in the world of Devils—the master also has the duty to guide and protect the servant while the servant offers everything."
"In my opinion, that is the only way for a master-servant relationship to truly reach the finish line. Whether it is the master or the servant, if it isn't a two-way street and only one side is giving, the relationship will become distorted."
Sirzechs' gaze swept over each person, carrying encouragement and strength.
"What matters isn't what you achieved, but why you did what you did. As long as you remember this, you will surely fulfill your desires in the future and become servants your masters can be proud of."
"Do you understand?"
Upon hearing this, it was as if courage and energy had been injected into them; the gloom in their hearts was instantly swept away.
"Yes! Lord Lucifer!"
The group responded in unison, the previous despondency nowhere to be found.
Leon, Rias, and Sona looked at each other and smiled.
"Actually, I've always felt that you are servants I can be proud of, you know?"
Leon's single sentence brightened the moods of Yukino and her companions; Asuna and Mahiru even broke into uncontrollable smiles.
"Though we are still immature, I feel the same way regarding that point. So... let's work hard together."
Sona was used to being strict—strict with others and strict with herself—but that strictness made the Sitri dependents feel very reassured.
"As long as you are safe, I am satisfied."
Rias pulled Akeno Himejima and Koneko Toujou into an embrace, her voice gentler than ever, causing Yuuto Kiba to smile sheepishly nearby.
Sirzechs watched this scene with great joy. Even Grayfia, standing behind him, relaxed her expression, making the atmosphere extremely warm.
"Although the current situation is unclear and new conflicts are brewing beneath the surface, threatening our hard-won peace, seeing all of you makes me feel that Devils still have a future."
Sirzechs let out a sentimental sigh. "Until you grow up, we will do our best to shield you from the wind and rain. I hope you can encourage each other and become the new pillars that support the Devils."
After leaving these words, Sirzechs stood up.
"It's getting late; it's time for me to head back to the Underworld." Sirzechs smiled. "I will be watching over you. I look forward to your future performance."
Amidst the loud responses of the crowd, Sirzechs stepped into the magic circle with Grayfia and disappeared in a burst of red light. Everyone watched the Devil King depart until the magic circle fell into complete silence.
"Now... I believe he is the Devil King."
Utaha Kasumigaoka was still whispering quietly, earning nods from Yukino and the others.
"Yes!"
Leon smiled silently, saying nothing more.
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Since we've caught up with the author, updates will be reduced to one chapter per day from now on.