Chapter 204 — The Devil's Favor, The Sister's Doubt
Junai spoke with gravity, her voice quiet but unshakable.
Just as Hakumoon had told her—power simplified everything. Power made fear natural, defiance unthinkable. If the Himejima clan could be forced into despair, then retribution would be effortless.
As an old proverb went: A mother is ennobled by the strength of her child. Once Junai achieved true dominance, the Five Great Houses wouldn't dare slander her mother. Let them choke on their noble lineage—she would rewrite it herself.
"I understand," Suika said softly. If this was the path Junai chose, she wouldn't stand in the way. Only by completing the task with her own hands could Junai truly sever the wounds of her past.
Still, one question lingered.
"Junai… who exactly is Hakumoon-san?"
Suika couldn't shake the unease. Someone this powerful couldn't possibly be a mere stranger. She worried her sister's heart had been placed in the hands of a man unworthy of it.
"That's difficult to explain, but… if you become his vassal, everything will make sense."
In truth, Junai had already asked Hakumoon privately: Would Suika be compatible? His answer had been yes. Junai now intended to bring her sister in—to grant her a safer, stronger future.
"Vassal?" Suika echoed.
"Like demon chess pieces," Junai explained with a smile.
"You joined him? I thought you were pledged to Rias Gremory?"
"I still am," Junai said. "But Hakumoon's system… it surpasses even that. And by the way—Rias herself has become his vassal. As for Hakumoon—he isn't a demon, an angel, nor a god. He's just a human."
"A human?" Suika repeated. What kind of human could claim Rias Gremory, heir of a great house, as a follower?
"And if you're his vassal," Suika continued, "what rank are you?"
Among demons, ranks were modeled after Western chess. Angels used playing cards. Ancient eastern sects used xiangqi. Japan adapted shogi.
Junai shrugged. "Honestly, I don't know. I've inherited the powers of the 54th Pillar Demon—Malmoth."
Suika went still.
"Malmoth? You're… one of Solomon's Seventy-Two Pillars?"
"But you don't have the bloodline…" Suika's voice trailed off. It didn't add up. Unless this had something to do with the legendary demon king's forgotten plan.
"If you join," Junai whispered, "you'd immediately gain two levels of rank. That's how strong it is."
Then, Junai released her aura—a high-level demonic wave, shimmering with power. Suika stepped back instinctively.
"I went from a mid-class demon straight to peak high-level. I feel it—within a month, I'll reach Demon King level."
Suika was thunderstruck.
"A month? That's impossible!"
Her own power currently sat at the peak of upper-class demon strength. To ascend two tiers would mean crossing into divine territory.
"If you trust me," Junai added, "join soon. I'm afraid the remaining seats will be gone fast."
"I'll think about it," Suika replied. She didn't doubt her sister's intentions. In fact, Junai seemed eager—desperate even—for her to gain strength quickly. Was there some great threat approaching?
Rumors had reached her ears. Talk of an unprecedented gathering—a summit of gods, mythic figures from every pantheon. Even the Himejima had received an invitation.
Chapter 205 — Secrets, Sisters, and Strange Sparks
"Speaking of," Junai said mischievously, pointing to the futon Suika had slept on, "what's with that stain?"
"Eh? I… have no idea."
"Really? You're sure? You were lying right there, weren't you? So—how long have you been listening?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"You really—huh?"
Junai tried to rise, but her legs gave out, leaving her slumped awkwardly on the floor.
Something… emerged. Suika's eyes widened. Her gaze flicked down, then away, unsure of where to land.
She knew exactly what had caused that. And clearly, she hadn't just overheard…
She'd watched.
Chapter 206 — When S Meets M
Junai had once kept a respectful distance from Hakumoon—a mix of awe and restraint.
That boundary no longer existed.
Now she leaned close, flirted boldly, teased with intent.
Her feelings weren't love. Not yet. But her fondness for him was the highest she'd ever felt toward a man.
If normal admiration rated a "1," Hakumoon was a solid "50."
From their first encounter, he'd electrocuted her without hesitation. During her demonification, her playful mischief earned her a humiliating punishment.
Yet his eyes were never lustful. Never vulgar. His gaze was like that of a sculptor examining marble.
It wasn't that he lacked desire—it was that he had mastery over it. His stare was pure aesthetic critique, as if she were an artwork.
Despite looking their age, Hakumoon carried impossible pedigree. He could destroy powerful extradimensional entities with a flick of his wrist.
It was enough to overwhelm Junai's senses.
The deeper she probed, the more he seemed cloaked in divine mystery.
It wasn't love. It was fascination.
Junai found herself adrift in the same obsession that gripped heroes like Laviel—the longing for the unknowable champion.
Every girl had the fantasy: the gallant knight, the flawless prince.
Hakumoon surpassed that. By so much, it made her feel unworthy.
Thus, when alcohol clouded her restraint, she lost her composure entirely.
From today onward, her loyalty as vassal would carry a second thread—a growing romantic pursuit.
Then—
Crackle! ⚡
Junai twitched violently. Lightning danced across her skin. But it wasn't hers.
"Aaaahhh—!"
She screamed, body seizing from the electric shock.
Hakumoon had zapped her, mid-meal.
She'd been misbehaving—making secret moves beneath the table.
It wasn't prudishness—it was discipline. Her playfulness was becoming reckless.
And Junai… was a shameless tease.
So he gave her a proper punishment. No mercy. Just voltage.
If she were human, she'd be dead.
But oddly enough, her anguished face… held traces of delight?
Was Junai, the proud sadist… just turned masochist?
Suika sat across the table, lips twitching. Her silence was judgment incarnate.
Her sister had no shame.
Couldn't she read the room? Her big sister was still present.
Chapter 207 — Sacred Grounds and Supernatural Tours
Moments later, the trio had left the inn, now strolling as tourists through the scenic region of Arashiyama.
As they approached Tenryu-ji, Junai felt it—the faint repulsion of divinity. Holy sites clashed with her demonic nature.
At the temple gates, two figures stood waiting.
One was a golden-haired girl in priestess robes—young, delicate, charming.
The other, resplendent in twelve-layered court dress, was breathtaking—elegant maturity woven into fabric.
"Hakumoon-san," the woman said with a gentle smile, "would you mind if my daughter guided you today?"
"Not at all," Hakumoon replied, eyes flicking toward the older woman. A trace of meaning lingered there.
Was she truly comfortable placing her daughter at his side?
Suika knew this woman. Yasaka. A nine-tailed fox—and a ruler of the youkai in Kyoto.
Rumors whispered of conflicts last night—an internal upheaval among monster factions.
"If possible," Yasaka added, "please forgive her if she's a bit clumsy. Kokojo can be a handful."
Her tone bore faint apology.
If she was so concerned, why send her daughter to act as a guide?
The reason soon became clear.
Yasaka planned a purge today—cleansing Kyoto's darker corners. With potential chaos looming, Kokojo might be caught in the crossfire.
By placing her with Hakumoon, she was safeguarding her.
Last night had revealed much. Kyoto was being hunted. The Hollow Cicada Sect had allied with the Calamity Horde.
Suika had already passed Yasaka a warning via shikigami. Yasaka had agreed to Suika's visit—but hadn't expected this trio.
Soon, under the young guide's lead, the group began exploring the hidden corners of Arashiyama.
Atop a quiet bluff, they gazed over the mountain vista—no tourists, no noise. A secret panorama reserved for privileged souls.
Then, chaos stirred.
A cry rang out.
"The cable car—it's stuck!"
Suspended midair, passengers panicked.
"This… this shouldn't happen," Kokojo muttered, face pale. "It gets checked daily…"
Trouble was brewing again.
But this time, Hakumoon was watching.