Facing his partner's stubbornness, Ddraig had no choice but to comply.
At Roy's request, Ddraig opened the path deeper into the Sacred Gear's space.
Roy stepped in, passing through brief darkness before emerging in a vast white expanse.
Scattered tables dotted the area, each occupied by a past Red Dragon Emperor.
Scanning the room, Roy approached the nearest soul.
"That guy was one of the younger ones, close to your age," Ddraig's voice echoed, introducing him.
"Talent-wise, not on your level, but still impressive. He reached Juggernaut Drive fast."
"Too bad, like the rest, he couldn't control it and died."
"You didn't warn him?"
Roy asked, curious.
"I did, but few Red Dragon Emperors ever listened to me."
Roy was no exception there.
The difference? Roy's strength outclassed them.
Watching Roy suddenly slug the soul to the ground, Ddraig asked, "Anything?"
Roy shook his head. "Nope."
Maybe they lacked consciousness, or maybe being mere remnants here was the issue.
Punching the soul yielded no entries.
"Guess brute force won't clear them out. Not surprising," Ddraig mused, misunderstanding. "Got another plan, partner?"
"Yeah."
A white glow enveloped Roy's body.
Unlike Vali or Issei from the original, Roy had a unique edge.
Immortal arts.
A power to manipulate life flames, capable of feats with deep mastery.
Like… purifying curses and grudges.
Buzz—! Buzz—! Buzz—!
Guided by Roy, the white light bathed the Red Dragon Emperor's soul.
A sizzling sound, like boiling water, filled the air as black smoke rose from the soul.
That smoke was its grudges.
Once fully cleansed, a spark of awareness returned to its dull gaze.
"Thanks."
Nodding to Roy, the soul was engulfed by the white light.
A second later, it vanished from the gear's space.
"It worked!"
Ddraig's excited voice rang out.
"Bit of a drain."
Roy wasn't as thrilled.
Overusing life flames left him weak.
To conserve enough, he'd have to purify slowly.
Eyeing the remaining souls, Roy calculated.
"Clearing them all will take at least a month."
"That's already fast," Ddraig reassured. "You're a devil, partner—ten thousand years of life at minimum."
"A month's like a nap to you. It'll fly by."
"Nice metaphor."
Roy shrugged, moving to the next soul.
Work's work—might as well start.
Underworld, capital Lilith.
After a day buried in paperwork, Sirzechs received a rare call.
"Long time no see, little Rias."
Smiling at the figure on the screen, Sirzechs's face softened.
"Didn't expect you to reach out. Trouble?"
"Yeah, I need your help, brother."
Rias cut to the chase. "I want to call off my engagement."
Engagement off?
Sirzechs's expression grew serious. "That's doable, but why?"
"I don't like Riser Phenex. Zero feelings for him."
"And?"
"That's it."
"Hm… got it."
Exchanging a glance with Grayfia beside him, Sirzechs replied, "Rias, I can help with the engagement, but I can't step in directly."
"You get it, right? A Devil King's not omnipotent—too many eyes on me."
"Don't worry, brother, I understand. I just need you to set it up."
Rias clenched her fist. "Get me a shot at a Rating Game with Riser Phenex."
"If he wins, I'll follow the family's plans. If I win, the engagement's done."
"…Nice look in your eyes."
After a few seconds of staring, Sirzechs grinned.
"I'm in. I'll handle the Phenex family later."
"Thanks, brother."
Rias nodded slightly and cut the call.
Staring at the blank screen, Sirzechs pondered, then turned to Grayfia.
"If I recall, little Rias recently got a new retainer, right?"
Grayfia nodded. "A Sacred Gear wielder named Roy."
"Any detailed intel?"
"Yes."
Grayfia handed over a file.
Sirzechs skimmed it, quickly spotting something off.
"Took eight Pawn pieces, and eight days after becoming a devil, he soloed a special-grade cursed spirit?"
"Correct. Post-investigation, that spirit wasn't weak—likely a forest-linked anomaly."
"Interesting. No wonder Rias is switching gears and taking the lead."
Curiosity piqued, Sirzechs said, "Contact the Phenex family for me."
"Yes."
Time ticked by, and the next day arrived.
After morning training, Roy swung by the Occult Research Club for a shower.
Unlike usual, two figures were already there.
"Are you Mr. Roy?"
A girl in a nun's outfit with long blonde hair approached.
Roy nodded. "That's me."
"Great! I finally found you!"
A bright smile spread across her face as she introduced herself.
"I'm Asia Argento. Thank you for saving me."
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