A streak of blazing fire cut across the dark purple sky.
After learning of Rias's current location, Jeanne Alter immediately set off at full speed, carrying Koneko safely in her arms.
Koneko, nestled quietly against Jeanne's chest, suddenly opened her eyes.
"What, not pretending to sleep anymore?" Jeanne asked lightly, eyes fixed straight ahead, seemingly unsurprised by Koneko's sudden awakening.
"...Jeanne-senpai, you knew I was awake?" Koneko's golden eyes widened in surprise.
"You didn't really think you were hiding it well, did you? At such a close distance, it was obvious," Jeanne replied casually.
When someone woke up, subtle changes in breathing and heartbeat were inevitable—and with Koneko pressed so closely against Jeanne's chest, it was nearly impossible for her not to notice.
"Especially when I summoned the magic circles for [Explosion], your breathing pattern changed dramatically."
Koneko fell into silence, her gaze flickering with uncertainty.
"Then... why didn't you actually cast that spell?"
In the end, Jeanne hadn't unleashed the [Explosion]. Once she learned Rias and the others' location from Vali, she had simply grabbed Koneko and headed straight there.
"Did you want me to use it?" Jeanne didn't answer directly, instead tossing the question back at Koneko, catching her off guard.
"...I don't know."
Koneko lowered her eyes, voice soft and complicated.
After a short silence, Jeanne spoke slowly.
"That woman... she's your sister, isn't she?"
Though initially hesitant, Koneko eventually nodded after another brief pause.
There was once a pair of Nekoshou sisters taken in by a devil. The older sister became obsessed with her powers, killed her master, and fled, becoming a Stray Devil. The younger sister was abandoned and sentenced to execution, only to be saved by Sirzechs and Rias, who adopted her and named her Toujou Koneko.
Koneko's feelings toward Kuroka were undoubtedly complicated.
She'd always refused to accept her own powers and identity, terrified of becoming someone like Kuroka—someone ruled by power, someone who hurt the people she cared about.
Jeanne glanced at Koneko's troubled expression.
"Well, no rush. You can decide when you've sorted out your own feelings," Jeanne said breezily. "Anyway, if we ever need to kill her, we can do it anytime."
"...I'm sorry. I caused trouble for you again, Senpai."
"Not just you. Rias, Ophis, Asia—all of you constantly make trouble for me, so one more doesn't make much difference. Honestly, I've lost track of it all. Just remember every single favor I've done for you, and repay me someday. That means you have to live—and live well—until then."
Was this her way of comforting someone? It was classic Jeanne-senpai, sharp yet oddly gentle beneath.
Koneko gently rubbed her cheek against Jeanne's chest. Because Jeanne had been carrying her, she hadn't worn her armor, worried the metal might hurt Koneko. Beneath her flame-wreathed black dragon-patterned coat, she wore a tight-fitting white skirt, radiating a heroic aura.
"Though honestly... I wasn't really planning to use that spell anyway," Jeanne suddenly admitted.
"Huh?" Koneko raised her head, confusion written all over her face.
"The power of that spell isn't easy to control. If I had cast it, even the two of us might have gotten caught in the blast. Plus, I had a hunch that spell alone wouldn't kill those four. It might severely injure them, but they'd probably still escape."
"But... didn't you seal off their escape with your barrier?" Koneko asked, puzzled.
"That sword... The sword that blond man wielded could cut through my barrier. More precisely, it could slice through space itself. They probably entered our battlefield that way—cutting open a dimensional rift. No barrier, no matter how strong, could stop them as long as he had that sword."
Jeanne felt strangely intrigued by that holy sword—and by the enigmatic blond man wielding it. She decided she'd ask Rias or Azazel about him later.
"Oh, by the way, since waking up this time, your condition seems much better. At least you're not clinging to me and trying to kiss me again."
"Uuuu... " Koneko's face instantly flushed bright red at Jeanne's teasing.
"What's wrong? Have you finally stopped rejecting your identity and powers?"
"...I just didn't want to burden you anymore."
Koneko spoke quietly, her voice thick with mixed emotions. "If I hadn't woken up, Senpai would have had to fight those people while protecting me... I don't want to be that useless again."
Koneko hadn't truly accepted herself yet—she'd merely chosen between two bad options.
But...
"That's enough," Jeanne said softly, a warm smile curling her lips. "Don't force yourself to grow up overnight. Each dilemma you face is a step forward. If you accumulate those small steps, one day you'll become exactly the person you wish to be. Your future is much brighter than you think."
Koneko's eyes glittered with emotion.
"But... I might make the wrong choices."
"If you were alone, maybe you would. But you're not alone. You have Rias, Akeno, Yuuto, Asia—they care about you deeply. They won't let you stray too far. They'll always pull you back before you do something truly irreversible."
Jeanne listed off several people, yet notably left out the one person Koneko cared about most.
Pretending not to mind, Koneko fixed her gaze on Jeanne's face, carefully noting every subtle expression.
"Then... what about you, Jeanne-senpai?"
"Hm? Me?" Jeanne tilted her head slightly. "With so many others around, do you really need me? Still, if the day comes when even Rias and Asia can't bring you back, I guess I'll have no choice but to step in personally, beat some sense into you, and drag you back by force if necessary. I'm not good with words anyway—fighting is all I've got."
It was blunt, slightly awkward, but Koneko felt Jeanne's sincerity clearly.
Something warm surged in her heart, spreading to every part of her body. Suddenly, she felt as though she could accomplish anything.
Her heart pounded fiercely, almost painfully, her cheeks burning uncontrollably hot. She couldn't suppress the smile tugging at her lips.
Happiness, joy, satisfaction—countless words raced through her mind, yet none could fully describe the overwhelming warmth filling her chest.
"Thank you, Jeanne-senpai... "
Unable to contain herself any longer, Koneko hugged Jeanne tightly around the neck and pressed her lips gently to Jeanne's cheek.
Jeanne nearly fell out of the sky in surprise, briefly fearing Koneko had reverted to her previous unstable state.
---
"Haha! We're alive! Ah, praise the wind of freedom! Suddenly even the Underworld's purple sky looks lovely."
Bikou's heartfelt laughter filled the air, genuine relief evident after barely escaping death. After facing that flame-wielding monster, everything around him seemed beautiful now.
"Right, nya. That was terrifying... " Kuroka weakly sprawled on a branch nearby, wiping fake tears from her eyes. "I really thought today was the end for me, nya. Honestly, I don't know if I should feel happy or worried for Shirone, having such a terrifying protector."
"None of this would've happened if you hadn't insisted on retrieving your sister," Bikou muttered reproachfully.
"Eh? You're blaming me, nya?" Kuroka pouted. "Fine, I do feel slightly guilty... but how could I know a human could be so absurdly powerful, nya?"
When those thirteen magical circles appeared in the sky, the immense magical power—enough to obliterate everything within miles—had nearly shattered Kuroka's sanity. Every hair on her body had stood on end.
Arthur, the blond swordsman beside Vali, remained silent. He'd always been taciturn, but the slight tension around his mouth indicated he was still processing what had just happened.
Vali had removed his armor, his hands trembling—not from fear, but excitement.
He'd witnessed overwhelming strength, glimpsed even greater heights. Nothing thrilled him more.
Even though Jeanne was his natural nemesis, he eagerly regarded her as a target to surpass.
At that moment, a small magic circle appeared near Arthur's ear—a communication spell delivering information.
"...I see. Understood. I'll inform Vali."
As the spell faded, Arthur adjusted his glasses and met the gazes of Vali, Bikou, and Kuroka.
"What happened, Arthur?" Vali asked casually. "Another unexpected situation?"
Arthur nodded slightly. "The original leader of the attack—Diodora Astaroth—escaped."
"Can't blame him," Vali shrugged. "We didn't expect Loki to suddenly intervene. What a troublesome god—always messing up everyone's plans."
"But wasn't that battlefield sealed by Loki? How'd Diodora escape?" Vali pondered briefly, then realization dawned. "Ah, I see. Did that faction finally step in?"
"Exactly," Arthur confirmed. "Diodora's headed for Kuoh Town. After learning Jeanne came to the Underworld, he decided to target the nun—the user of [Twilight Healing]."
"Typical," Vali sneered. "That guy is irredeemable, obsessed with corrupting holy maidens. Truly tasteless."
Arthur hesitated. "Should we inform Jeanne Alter?"
Vali glanced at Bikou and Kuroka, who immediately shook their heads vigorously.
"Please spare us. I never want to see that witch again," Bikou pleaded.
Vali smirked. "Then let's leave it alone. Jeanne isn't careless. I doubt she left Asia unguarded."
"You think highly of her," Arthur noted dryly.
Vali smiled cryptically. "Well, even if we don't see eye to eye, we're still nominally allies. For now, let's watch how this plays out."
---
T/N: oof bros gonna get the ophios treatment