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That afternoon.
At dusk.
"Shiho is truly diligent, she even cast me, her master, aside."
Although Linde said this, a smile played on his lips.
No master would dislike a Retainer/Subordinate who strives to become stronger.
He walked out of Kuoh Academy, but instead of going home, he waited quietly.
"He's out."
Linde's eyes flickered slightly as he watched a figure carrying a school bag.
That was his target, Issei Hyodo.
He harbored deep malice towards this so-called protagonist.
Not to mention, the boosted gear (gauntlet of the red dragon emperor) also piqued his interest.
Linde wiggled his fingers, and the light of a Magic Circle flashed and disappeared.
At the same time.
Issei Hyodo, who was on his way home, inexplicably got lost.
"What's going on? Why is there no one around?"
Looking at the silent streets, Issei Hyodo couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.
He started to run quickly.
Suddenly.
A young man with an aristocratic aura appeared in front of him.
"Hello, I seem to be..."
Before he could finish his sentence, he felt a wave of coldness wash over him.
The next moment.
Issei Hyodo had already turned into an ice sculpture.
"Let him stay frozen for now. I'll figure out how to extract the boosted gear (gauntlet of the red dragon emperor) later."
Linde walked forward, a dark red Magic Circle flashing on his hand.
Issei Hyodo's figure had completely vanished.
"Hmm?"
Linde, who was about to leave, suddenly had a change in expression.
"The aura of light?"
As a demon, Linde was most sensitive to the power of light.
Even without fully extending his senses, he could acutely perceive it.
"However, this power of light no longer makes me feel disgusted?"
"Is it also related to my awakening of the Progenitor Demon's bloodline?"
Linde mumbled to himself and decided not to leave.
Soon.
In front of him, a man in a priest's coat with white hair had appeared.
"Oh my, what do I see? A lost demon!"
Freed's face twisted into a smile, and a pungent smell of blood emanated from his entire body.
"Lost Exorcists."
Linde looked at the other party with some disappointment.
He had thought it was a Fallen Angel.
He remembered that the other party seemed to possess the technique of extracting Sacred Gears from within humans.
"Hahaha, that's right, I am the Lost Exorcists."
Freed laughed maniacally, his killing intent as tangible as a solid object.
"Those bastards have long since abandoned God; only I am worthy of serving God."
"Your appearance, you filthy demon, is a gift from God."
Listening to Freed's words, Linde's expression remained indifferent.
He walked forward, as if strolling leisurely.
If it weren't to confirm his guess, he would have already killed the other party.
"Oh my, oh my, you're actually walking over on your own? Shouldn't a mere demon tremble in fear when it sees me?"
Freed's expression became ferocious: "It's all because of those bastards."
"They even made you demons completely ignorant of reverence."
The moment his words fell, the priest had already taken out an item from his embrace.
It was a sword hilt without a blade.
Buzz!
The power of light spread.
A brilliant light blade had extended from the sword hilt.
"Demon, I will now make you pay for your sins; die for me."
Accompanied by a roar, Freed shot out like lightning, and a sword had already slashed down towards Linde.
Clang!
The sword of light seemed to have struck a piece of refined steel.
Freed's eyes widened, horrified to find that his sword had only torn the other party's clothes.
Even.
This demon hadn't even used any magic power.
How was this possible?
Although he was a Lost Exorcists, what he used was genuine power of light.
This was the bane of all demons!
Why?
Was it completely useless against this demon in front of him?
"It seems my guess was correct; I am no longer afraid of light."
After sensing the situation, Linde murmured in a low voice.
Freed failed to break through his defense.
Aside from the vast difference in strength between them.
It was also because he had awakened the bloodline of the Progenitor Demon.
The natural suppressive feeling of the power of light had completely vanished for him.
"Damn it, this demon is not right."
Freed gritted his teeth, wanting to retreat.
Boom.
But before he could make a move, a fist had already slammed heavily into his chest.
With just a pure burst of strength, Freed's chest instantly caved in, and his entire body was sent flying sideways like a cannonball.
He had just let out a scream when his entire body burst open like a watermelon with a bang.
Linde retracted his hand, his expression utterly calm, as if he had crushed an ant.
He gently waved his hand, using magic to clean up the scene, and then his entire person vanished... The night deepened.
The bright moon hung high.
Miyano Shiho dragged her leaden body on her way home.
"Cultivation is truly exhausting."
"But it's all worth it."
She mumbled in a low voice, a smile gracing her lips.
Seeing Rias and the others' surprised expressions brought her a special sense of accomplishment.
Most importantly... she learned a super-tier magic called Thunderstrike.
Miyano Shiho looked at the starry sky, feeling an immense sense of peace and tranquility.
Once upon a time.
This feeling was something she wouldn't even dare to dream of.
And all of this was brought to her by Linde.
"Speaking of which, my magic power is depleted again."
As if remembering something, Miyano Shiho's cheeks turned crimson.
Ten minutes later.
Miyano Shiho saw a familiar figure in front of the villa.
"The address is correct."
Miyano Akemi looked at the villa, her brows slightly furrowed.
She had heard the news of the organization's research facility here being destroyed.
She had originally thought her younger sister would be under strict surveillance.
But looking at this.
It didn't seem to be the case?
Remembering Miyano Shiho's hesitant tone on the phone, she became a little worried.
"Sister, you're here."
At this moment, Miyano Shiho appeared in front of her, smiling brightly: "Why are you standing there? Come in quickly."
Miyano Akemi: "..."
Damn it, would her younger sister smile like that?