[Mass Release: 3/7]
"Why can you switch between two faces so easily…? Whatever, I can't stop you from acting like that."
Takumi, unable to resist Yuki Souo's soft pleading, finally gave in with a sigh and nodded.
He channeled a bit of magic to respond to the summoning circle.
"Whoa! It's working, it's working!"
"Answering my summon—you're my hero!!"
Yuki waved her hand dramatically, completely immersed in her own world. A magic circle flared to life between them, and Takumi's body was teleported just a meter forward—ending up face to face with her.
Seeing himself fly through the air to land right in front of her, Takumi felt like his mind short-circuited.
If he shouted, "Are you my master?" right now, it'd be even more ridiculous.
Wait—no! She's dragging me into her delusions!
Realizing he was starting to get carried away, Takumi slapped his cheeks to clear his head.
Meanwhile, Yuki was absolutely euphoric, her face glowing with satisfaction.
"Ah~ I'm completely fulfilled! Then next, let me fulfill you too!"
"Don't say things like that in a back alley!"
"Eh? I'm not lying though~"
She answered with such seriousness that Takumi froze mid-retort. Glancing at the glowing [Affection: 95] above her head, he honestly didn't know what to say.
She really meant it.
This girl was throwing him off completely. Even though he wasn't exactly a saint, somehow she was making him the flustered one.
Rubbing his temples, Takumi tried to slow things down. Things were escalating way too fast, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could keep a straight face.
Just as he was about to speak, a faint ripple of magic brushed his senses.
Yuki, noticing him suddenly looking up, called out, "Come on, a beautiful girl's literally offering herself here—take the initiative already!"
"Not here, and definitely not like this! I'm not doing a royal PK in an alley!"
Takumi clicked his tongue and cut the conversation short. His gaze lifted toward the rooftops—where a flash of crimson caught his eye.
A striking red silhouette stood high above, her scarlet hair flowing like fire in the night wind.
Her delicate, seductive face was framed by that vibrant mane, her fair skin glowing like polished ivory. The girl's figure was tall and voluptuous, her open black jacket struggling to contain her sinful curves.
Her waist tapered gracefully, not a trace of excess flesh in sight. The black-and-white skirt framed her round, perky hips like ripe peaches hanging from a branch, and her long, shapely legs gleamed even in the dark.
Standing atop the building, the red-haired girl exuded a dreamlike aura—mysterious, alluring, and dangerously captivating.
Following Takumi's gaze, Yuki spotted her too.
Then, to both their surprise, a pair of jet-black demonic wings unfurled from the girl's back as she descended gracefully from the sky.
"I sensed a surge of magic here," the red-haired beauty said softly. "Didn't expect to find you, Takumi."
Hearing his name, Takumi narrowed his eyes slightly.
"So you've been investigating me behind the scenes, huh, Rias Gremory."
At the mention of her name, Rias's eyes flickered sharply.
Her identity wasn't exactly a secret, but for someone living in the human world to recognize her so easily—that was rare. Even if he'd heard of her from the succubus Maria Naruse, there was no way she could have described Rias's exact appearance.
For an instant, Rias's thoughts raced, but her expression stayed composed as she glanced toward Yuki standing beside Takumi.
"I'd like to speak with you privately, if that's all right."
"Hey, hey, hey! This gorgeous girl just swoops in out of nowhere and steals the guy I just confessed to? So unfair!"
"When did you confess!?"
"You heartless man! Wasn't what I said earlier basically a confession!?"
Yuki puffed up her cheeks in exaggerated protest, her eyes brimming like she might actually cry. Takumi could only stare at her, black lines practically forming over his head.
Even Rias paused for a moment, caught off guard by Yuki's energy.
"What an amusing girl," she said at last, smiling faintly. "If she wishes to come along, I don't mind."
"Yay! Total win! I'll listen quietly—promise~"
Yuki beamed with pure excitement, her gossip-hungry eyes darting between them. The sight alone gave Takumi goosebumps.
"You sure about this?" he asked helplessly.
Rias simply shrugged, answering with calm elegance, "It's fine. She's just an ordinary human girl—it won't affect anything."
"Being ignored like that feels kind of rude, but fine, continue." Muttering to herself, Yuki crossed her arms and leaned in, eyes fixed on them.
Seeing Rias truly didn't mind, Takumi gestured for her to go on.
"I've already investigated Mio Naruse," Rias began, her tone serious. "And by extension—you as well. Her existence poses a serious problem for the Gremory family."
Takumi's gaze sharpened. "Mio's a pure-blooded devil, right? From your family line, no less. Why would that be a problem?"
According to what Maria had told him, pure-blooded devils were rare—practically treasures of the underworld. They should be protected, not seen as threats.
Rias sighed softly, her crimson eyes dimming. "You probably don't know this, but the devils of the underworld are split between two factions—those who seek war and those who seek peace.
"Our Gremory family is one of the seventy-two noble houses, one of the few still standing. But our strength isn't among the top families—we're neutral right now.
"My mother is the current head of the Gremory family, and I… I'm her only child.
"If another pure-blooded devil from our lineage suddenly appears—someone like Mio Naruse—it could spell chaos.
"Think of it like human royalty: if a king has only one heir, there's no conflict. But if a hidden child with legitimate royal blood appears… well, you can imagine the rest."
Takumi frowned, puzzled.
Only one heir? What about your brother—Sirzechs?
Last he remembered, Sirzechs was a transcendent being, the one who inherited the title of Lucifer. The strongest of the Maou.
Don't tell me… he's gone?
If that were true, it changed everything.
Realizing how different this underworld was from the one he remembered, Takumi fell silent, lost in thought.
Even setting those details aside, Rias's meaning was clear.
"You're afraid that when Mio returns, she'll be seen as a rival for the Gremory inheritance?"
"Yes—but not exactly."
Rias met his gaze, her expression calm but her tone weary.
"I can't control how others interpret it. The Gremory family isn't just the main branch—there are offshoots, and ambitious devils among both the old and new factions.
"If Mio Naruse is officially recognized as a pure-blooded Gremory, even if she doesn't want to be involved, others will rally behind her name and use her as a banner for rebellion.
"The Gremory family… can't afford that kind of civil war."
Her words were blunt, filled with the kind of cruel truth that came with power and lineage.
The struggle between heirs had always been this way—most of the time, personal will meant nothing.
...
Read 50+ chapters ahead on Patreon! [patreon.com/METARLN]
Use code FREE2ALL for 30% OFF!