Linde gently turned the pages, awestruck by the magnificent scenery depicted within.
Waterfalls plunging thousands of feet, and layers of mountains creating breathtaking views.
The two Holy Sword Wielders were also captivated, but soon, divine punishment descended from the sky.
In an instant.
The rivers in the valley burst their banks, and the forests were continuously ravaged and destroyed by the divine punishment.
"Hiss..."
All of this made their eyes widen, and they gasped.
Linde tore up the pages, softly comforting them.
On the other side.
Asia had already opened her eyes in a daze.
She didn't pray to God as usual, even though she was a demon; instead, tears flowed.
"So, this is why I became a witch.
The Lord had died long ago, and all of the Church's propaganda was false.
Everyone in the Church, all their prayers and ascetic practices from childhood, were all so ridiculous."
A lifetime of faith completely collapsed at this moment; despair and sorrow thoroughly overwhelmed her.
At this moment, Linde, walking slowly, seemed to be bathed in a glow.
He reached out and gave Asia a head pat.
"Master." Yi Qi Liu Yi San (Nine)! g - =
Asia whimpered, already charging into Linde's arms like a ball.
She looked up at Linde, her face full of sadness and confusion.
Linde lowered his head, stroking her hair.
"In the past, you were deceived by the Church, but now you have obtained the truth.
Since you have become my Retainer/Subordinate, no one will ever deceive you again."
The gentle voice made Asia's eyes glaze over, and tears flowed uncontrollably.
"Mm... Master, Asia also wants to truly integrate into the Retainers/Subordinates..."
Her face flushed, and she was the first to proactively make a request.
To this, Linde didn't hesitate and directly took her thin lips.
"Mmm..."
Asia's eyes widened, and tears continued to stream down.
But compared to the pain of her faith collapsing before.
Now, a completely opposite, inexplicable joy instantly filled her entire body.
The others, seeing this scene, all felt their faces flush slightly.
However, they also knew that Linde was helping a companion, so they naturally couldn't do anything.
And Eriri, who had just become a Retainer/Subordinate, was completely bewildered.
Who am I, where am I, what is this place?
She walked upstairs in a daze, leaning against the hallway wall.
"This is only the first day..."
Eriri listened to the sounds from downstairs, hugging her shoulders with both hands 087, her eyes slightly unfocused.
These people are too much, aren't they?
Don't they know there's an outsider here?
She looked at the door, then at the crowd blocking the entrance, and finally pulled her head back.
Forget it, it seems she can't get out.
The next day, at noon.
Lili, with dark circles under her eyes, yawned as she walked out of her bedroom and came downstairs.
She groggily saw Linde and Asia on the sofa.
She also saw the other sleeping Retainers.
She froze on the spot.
Huh?
Wasn't I at home?
Wait.
Lili finally woke up, remembering what had happened yesterday.
"You, you, you, you... why is it endless?"
Her face instantly turned red, and she let out a piercing shriek.
Hearing Lili's voice, Linde didn't even turn his head. "This is homework among Retainers."
"I'm working hard for them to become stronger, you know?"
Linde spoke with a righteous expression, but his actions didn't stop.
Asia immediately echoed, "That's right, Asia feels several times stronger."
"Heh... heh heh."
Lili twitched the corner of her mouth, already too tired to complain.
Linde took a sip of iced cola and smiled, "You're only a step away from being an Intermediate Demon. Are you sure you don't want my help?"
"Th-that... please, definitely don't consider me."
Lili retreated repeatedly, her ears already flushed crimson.
She really wasn't ready for something like this.
After an unknown amount of time.
Miyano Shiho, having finally completed her daily tasks, began cleaning.
Linde, sitting up from the sofa, looked at the slacking Retainers.
Slap! Slap! Slap!
He smacked them a few times, leaving faint palm prints on their bodies.
"Ah!"
With a few soft moans, they slowly woke up.
"Ah, it's already noon. Master, I'll go prepare lunch."
Miyano Akemi quickly grabbed an apron and started bustling in the kitchen.
Gennova and Irina wanted to help, but Linde called out to them.
"Here, these are your Retainer information. Take a look now."
After Linde explained as usual, Gennova and Irina began to check it.
"Gulp."
After reading it, Gennova and Irina swallowed.
They had no idea that after becoming Devils, besides being able to rely on their Master to become stronger, they would also have such benefits.
An attribute panel that breaks limits and constantly upgrades.
skills that were like divine artifacts.
These were all things countless people dreamed of.
"Master, thank you very much for reincarnating me as a Devil." 2.
Irina and Gennova knelt on one knee, their gazes towards Linde shimmering with adoration and love, clearly visible in their eyes.
The moment their faith collapsed, it was reshaped.
In their hearts, Linde had replaced that deity.
Or rather, he was even greater.
Because Linde was visible and tangible.
He not only granted them new life.
But also gave them power.
That Lord, who had died long ago, naturally couldn't compare.
"Alright, from now on, you don't need to kneel whenever you feel like it."
Linde helped them up and said, "By the way, you two came here with a mission, right?"
Hearing this, Gennova and Irina nodded, revealing everything they knew.
"It is indeed a mission from the Church."
"Not long ago, three of the Holy Swords kept by the Church were stolen by a Fallen Angel cadre, Kokabiel, from the Fallen Angel faction."
"Our purpose in coming here is to retrieve the Holy Swords, and the worst-case scenario is to destroy them to prevent the Fallen Angels from using them."
Hearing their conversation, Miyano Shiho and the other girls were startled.
"You mean a Fallen Angel cadre is in this town?"
According to what they knew.
Fallen Angel cadres were the true high-ranking members of the Fallen Angels.
They had probably even participated in the ancient divine wars.
Undoubtedly, the opponent possessed strength infinitely close to that of a Devil King.
"According to our intelligence, that is indeed correct."
Gennova nodded gravely: "Actually, approaching Master was also a misunderstanding."
"We wanted to observe the Devils here to see if cooperation was possible."
At this point, Gennova became a little embarrassed.
This truly was cooperation.
She had directly gotten herself involved.
At this moment, Linde was also deep in thought.
It seems that even with this hodgepodge of events, this incident hasn't changed.
He just didn't know if the process would change.
"What are you all talking about?"
"Everyone, come quickly, dinner is ready!"
Miyano Akemi, wearing an apron, poked her head out and waved to everyone.
Hearing this, all the girls' stomachs rumbled.
Although they had eaten a lot last night, it had all been digested and converted into strength.
Now they were truly hungry.
"Hmm, Akemi, your cooking has improved again."
At the dining table, Linde was not stingy with his praise.
Miyano Akemi's cooking skills were already good.
Now, with the Danger Beast ingredients he brought back, her cooking was definitely not comparable to that of an ordinary chef.
Hearing Linde's praise, Miyano Akemi smiled happily.
Occult Research Club.
"That Linde guy, how many days has it been? He still hasn't shown up?"
Rias, who was writing something, looked at the date and muttered to herself.
"Oh my, if President wants him, she can go find him herself."
Himejima Akeno brought a cup of hot black tea and said with a smile.
"Haha, how could that be? I'm just curious."
Rias tossed her long hair and continued to write something as if nothing had happened.
However, the entire table was creaking.
That bastard.
He was probably off finding women somewhere again.
Should I... go find him myself?
While she was hesitating, the window suddenly darkened. Although it was noon, it felt as if it had turned into deep night.
"..."
Rias and Himejima Akeno were startled at the same time and immediately rushed out of the clubroom.
They looked up and saw that the entire sky was pitch black, and an invisible force had already enveloped the entire Kuoh Academy.
"This is a very high-level isolation Barrier..."
Sona Sitri, who had rushed over, looked grim: "The person capable of casting such a Barrier must be at least a High-Class Devil or above."
"Sure enough, we can't send messages to the outside world."
The magic light in Rias's hand flashed and disappeared, and she said in a heavy tone, "I'm afraid to the outside world, everything here looks normal."
"This is bad. The opponent using such methods probably means they're not here for good."
As the two conversed.
An indescribable sense of oppression instantly descended.
Immediately, the expressions of Rias and the others all changed.
They subconsciously looked up.
In the dark, deep sky, a figure stood suspended at some unknown point.
It was a man with a gloomy face, dressed in an exquisitely luxurious robe.
Behind him, ten jet-black wings emitted a strong, ominous aura.
The Fallen Angel cadre, Kokabiel, had arrived.
"Good, everyone I'm looking for is here."
He looked down at Rias and Sona from above, a smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
Rias stared at the opponent and spoke in an unfriendly tone, "This is the territory of our Gremory Family. No matter who you are, are you trying to start a war with us Devils by doing this?"
"Hahaha, what you said isn't entirely correct."
Kokabiel laughed maniacally: "What I want to see is a war between Fallen Angels, Devils, and Angels."
"I believe the deaths of the two Devil Kings' sisters here should be enough weight, right?"
Hearing Kokabiel's words, Rias and the others all felt a chill in their hearts.
Madman.
This was a complete and utter madman.
"Alright, I can't wait to see the war."
Kokabiel's eyes flashed with a hint of brutality: "You should feel honored to become a sacrifice in this grand war."
Boom!
As soon as he finished speaking, a brilliant light force erupted from his hand, and a magnificent spear of light, radiating a grand aura, was thrown.
"This madman."
Rias and Sona Sitri's expressions changed, and magic circles simultaneously appeared beneath their feet.
Buzz!
In an instant,
two magical barriers spread out, centered on the old school building and the student council office respectively, directly enveloping the entire Kuoh Academy.
Boom!
The spear of light collided with the magical barriers, causing the entire Kuoh Academy to shake.
"Hahahaha, not bad, two rather advanced defensive barriers."
"As expected of the place where the two Devil Kings' sisters reside."
Kokabiel continued to laugh wildly: "But unfortunately, you who control the barriers are simply too weak."
A sky full of light descended, and spears of light rained down on the barrier's light curtain, causing the barrier to constantly vibrate.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Amidst the earth-shattering roars, Rias and Sona Sitri could only draw on their spiritual power to desperately hold on.
"This can't go on..."
Akeno Himejima clenched her fists, but facing all of this, she could only watch helplessly.
"Let's see how long you can last."
With a roar, Kokabiel became even more frenzied.
Buzz!
Overwhelming light power gathered, transforming into an unprecedented spear of light that directly struck the magical barrier.
At this moment,
Kokabiel finally attacked with full force.
Crack!
The mighty spear of light erupted with immense power, completely piercing through one magical barrier.
"Again."
The next moment, Kokabiel repeated the process, and another identical spear of light crashed down.
Rumble!
The last layer of the magical barrier developed visible cracks under this attack, which then spread in all directions, eventually collapsing completely.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Violent air currents spread outwards, transforming into an invisible shockwave that swept in all directions.
On the other side,
Linde had already looked out the window.
"I always feel like something isn't right?"
He frowned slightly, and the Boosted Gear appeared on his hand, the penetrating power transforming into x-ray vision in his eyes.
A moment later, Linde's gaze turned cold: "You're courting death."
Terrifying killing intent permeated the air.
His figure disappeared with a flash of light.
Looking at Rias and Sona Sitri, who had lost the protection of the barrier, Kokabiel's face revealed a sinister smile.
"Now, you should die."
"..."
Hearing Kokabiel's words, everyone's faces showed despair.
But just then, a voice suddenly rang out.
"I think you're the one who's going to die."
Rias was stunned.
This voice was so familiar.
Sona Sitri and Akeno Himejima were also startled, looking in the direction from which the voice came.
"Hmm?"
Kokabiel frowned, looking down.
He saw a figure slowly emerging from the light.
"Lin... Linde?"
Seeing this figure, Sona Sitri's eyes dimmed.
She had originally thought help had arrived.
But it was just Linde?
Even if they had an extra High-Class Devil among them, it wouldn't be enough to face this Fallen Angel executive.
"Interesting, you can actually break through my barrier?"
Kokabiel looked at Linde with a half-smile, playing with the words: "Who exactly are you?"
Linde's gaze was calm, and he spoke softly: "The one who will kill you."