The dossier included a photograph—a young woman with golden hair and sapphire-blue eyes. Her hair tumbled in soft waves, and her gaze glittered like gemstones. She looked to be about twenty, the kind of beauty that could turn heads in any crowd.
Her name, according to the file, was Lavinia Reni: a prodigy among magicians and one of Mephisto Pheles's most trusted subordinates. But what really caught Tenra's attention wasn't her reputation or her looks—it was the fact that she wielded one of the legendary thirteen Longinus, the Sacred Gear known as Absolute Demise.
No wonder Rias was taking this so seriously. Tenra understood immediately.
"Rias, did Mephisto say anything else about her?" Tenra asked, his curiosity piqued.
Rias nodded. "Mephisto mentioned that Miss Lavinia is very interested in you. If possible, he hopes you'll consider forming a magician contract with her. But ultimately, it's up to both of you."
"She'll be visiting us soon," Rias added. "You'll have a chance to discuss everything in person."
"Got it." Tenra nodded, feeling a flicker of anticipation. If he could sign a contract with a Longinus wielder like Lavinia and bring her into his camp, it would be a major win—no matter how he looked at it.
That night—
Tenra opened his eyes to find Rias, Akeno, and Yubelluna tangled around him, still asleep. The three of them had only just recovered from a bout of wild passion, and now they lay exhausted, breathing softly in the darkness.
He gently untangled himself, dressed, and tucked the girls in before slipping out of the room without a sound.
The night wind was cool on the rooftop. Tenra was just about to take off when a small voice startled him.
"Keeper, where are you going?"
Ophis.
Tenra blinked. "Ophis? Why aren't you asleep?"
She shook her head. "I'm not tired."
Of course, for a being like Ophis, sleep was optional. Rufi had mentioned before that Ophis would simply lie quietly at night, never truly resting.
"Be good and go back to bed. I've got something to take care of—won't be long."
Tenra ruffled Ophis's hair, but before he could leave, he felt a gentle tug on his sleeve.
"I'm coming too."
Tenra hesitated. He hadn't planned on bringing anyone, but the look in Ophis's eyes—hopeful, a little lonely—softened his resolve. Night after night, while everyone else slept, Ophis could only lie quietly, waiting for morning. No wonder she was eager to follow.
For all her power and age, she was still just a lonely little girl at heart.
"Fine. But you have to listen to me. No wandering off, and you can't tell anyone about tonight. Promise?"
Tenra cupped her cheeks, speaking gently but firmly.
"Okay." Ophis nodded, her face serious.
Tenra smiled, scooped her up, and unfolded two pairs of golden wings. In a flash, they soared into the night sky.
The world below was silent, the only sound the rush of wind. Tenra and Ophis flew for a long time before landing atop a deserted mountain.
"Keeper, why are we here?" Ophis asked.
"We're waiting for someone," Tenra replied, settling down on a rock.
Ophis didn't press for details. She curled up on Tenra's lap, pulled out a snack, and began nibbling contentedly.
Time slipped by—a minute, then an hour. The mountain remained empty and silent, save for the two of them. Tenra frowned. The coordinates were right. Was he being stood up?
Just as impatience began to creep in, a magic circle flared in the air. Tenra's eyes lit up.
Here they come.
Two figures materialized, breathless and disheveled—Grayfia and Venelana.
Tenra had expected Grayfia; she was the reason for this secret meeting. But Venelana's presence caught him off guard. And both of them looked like they'd just escaped a chase.
"Grayfia, Lady Venelana, what happened—"
Before he could finish, Grayfia's voice cut through the night, cold and urgent.
"Tenra Kamiyo, activate your Time Domain. Now!"
"What?"
Tenra was momentarily stunned, unable to process the urgency.
"Time Domain! Quickly!" Grayfia snapped again.
Tenra snapped out of it, unleashing his Sacred Gear's Balance Breaker. An invisible field expanded, enveloping all of them.
The Time Domain—a forbidden technique Tenra had developed from the Sacred Gear Forbidden Balor View—let him control the flow of time inside the field. Days could pass within, while only minutes ticked by outside.
Truth be told, it was a technique he rarely used. Against powerful foes, it was useless; against weak ones, unnecessary. Mostly, he'd used it for personal reasons—rewarding his lovers, or during his conquest of the Belphegor matriarchs. It was a handy way to stretch private time without anyone noticing.
"Thank you, Tenra. You've saved us," Venelana said, relief softening her features.
Grayfia's eyes darted to Ophis, and her expression shifted from relief to alarm. Venelana tensed up beside her.
"Tenra Kamiyo, why is Ophis here?!"
Grayfia had seen Ophis before, during the Khaos Brigade's assault on the Underworld. Venelana hadn't met her in person, but the legend of the Infinite Dragon God was infamous.
Tenra raised his hands in a calming gesture. "Don't worry. Let me explain…"
He quickly recounted how Ophis had left the Khaos Brigade and was now living quietly as part of the Kamiyo family. Azazel had orchestrated the whole thing, keeping it secret from nearly everyone.
Grayfia and Venelana exchanged glances, shock and hope flickering in their eyes.
If Ophis was truly on their side, maybe—just maybe—there was a chance.
"Now, can you tell me what happened?" Tenra asked, watching them closely.
Grayfia and Venelana turned to him, their faces grave.
"Tenra Kamiyo, you've always wanted the truth," Grayfia said quietly. "Tonight, we'll tell you everything."
"But first," Venelana added, "there's something you need to do for us."
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