"Zheng—"
With a flash of red light, Leon's figure emerged from the magic circle in the manor's basement, returning once again.
"Is the matter concluded, Young Master Leon?"
Miyamoto Musashi, who was still instructing Asuna Yuuki, noticed the moment the magic circle activated and waved at Leon as he stepped out.
"More or less," Leon glanced at Asuna Yuuki, who was still maintaining her sword-holding posture with focused concentration, before replying, "At least, her family no longer objects."
Following a series of 'Devil whispers,' Leon not only introduced the benefits of becoming his servant to the women of the Yukinoshita family but also explained some common knowledge about the Underworld.
In the eyes of ordinary people, the Underworld was Hell, and the place where Devils lived was definitely not a nice place. Legends depicted it as a terrifying world with an extremely harsh environment, where raging hellfire burned everywhere. No normal person would want to settle there.
However, in reality, the terrifying Hell people envisioned was actually the deepest part of the Underworld, the Netherworld. The upper layers of the Underworld were not so dreadful.
Though it lacked a sun and moon, it still had a sky, though the sky was purple and not as refreshing as the sky in the human world.
It had no oceans, only vast lakes, yet its area was as large as Earth, and its population was not as numerous as the human world. Even combining the populations of all races living there, the total number was far less than that of humanity, making the land very extensive and cheap, unlike the human world where land was precious.
It also had forests, inhabited by monsters such as Hydras, Water Spirits Undines, Azure Lightning Dragons, and Slimes, making it incredibly fantastical. It also had cities. Not only was the environment not harsh at all, but it was even more beautiful than cities in the human world—at least, the cities in Devil territories were.
In the words of the Demon Kings, it's already the twenty-first century. Humans know how to build pleasant environments and improve their living conditions. Devils live much longer than humans and possess extraordinary power. Is it difficult to build a comfortable city to live in?
Since they could live comfortably, why would they force themselves to live in a harsh environment?
Therefore, the Underworld was not only not as terrifying as ordinary people imagined, but it was also an extremely suitable place to live. The dream of many Devils was to retire to a secluded corner of it and spend their days leisurely, which might be even more comfortable than being in Heaven.
While introducing this, Leon also introduced his home in the Underworld, the Eligos territory, allowing the Yukinoshita women to understand the extent of his property.
Due to the vastness of the land in the Underworld, even though the Eligos family line was severed, their territory was not seized. It was merely left abandoned. So when Leon inherited everything of the Eligos family, his territory was returned to him intact, not missing even a single inch.
And the area of the Eligos territory was larger than a state in this country.
Thinking back to their reaction when he mentioned this, and that he would grant a portion of the territory to Yukino Yukinoshita as her family's property, the wide-eyed look on Haruno Yukinoshita and Mrs. Yukinoshita's faces made Leon find it amusing.
To be frank, upon learning that Yukino Yukinoshita, after becoming a Devil, would not only avoid becoming a monster hunted by all but also not be treated as a non-human slave, but instead gain extended longevity, eternal youth, and even a territory to inherit and develop, Mrs. Yukinoshita and Haruno Yukinoshita were momentarily tempted. They looked as if they were about to abandon their human status and join his ranks, a complete turnaround from their previous attitude.
Ultimately, the matter was naturally settled without any doubt. The Yukinoshita family accepted Yukino Yukinoshita's transformation into a Devil, and consequently, they also accepted her becoming Leon's servant.
The main reason was that the matter was already a foregone conclusion. Even if they wanted to object, they wouldn't know how to do it.
Could they use the Yukinoshita family's power to fight for something?
Had they not witnessed the fierce battle between Yukino Yukinoshita and Shiro, Mrs. Yukinoshita and Haruno Yukinoshita might have entertained such an idea. But having witnessed that battle, they clearly understood that in front of Leon, they had absolutely no ability to resist.
Especially after Leon introduced the work of Devils in the human world and revealed how many important figures in Chiba were secretly his contacts, Mrs. Yukinoshita and Haruno Yukinoshita realized that even without using supernatural means, Leon could easily deal with the Yukinoshita family.
After all, the Yukinoshita family was not the only wealthy family in Chiba Prefecture, and they were not in a dominant position here. There were stronger prestigious families than theirs, and some of those prestigious families were even working for Leon.
Given this, what could they do?
They could only choose to accept it.
Thus, Leon returned victorious, leaving Yukino Yukinoshita behind.
The three women still had some private matters to discuss, and Leon naturally wouldn't forbid it, so he simply returned first.
"The private tutor is also online. Now there's only the Yuuki family left. Once that's dealt with, things should be fine, right?"
During his stay at the Yukinoshita family, Leon also received confirmation from his contacts that the Yuuki couple were already on their way to Chiba and were expected to meet him in the evening.
The meeting location would be arranged by his contacts, ensuring it was high-end, grand, and classy.
Therefore...
"I'll be attending the banquet tonight, Asuna. Don't train too late."
Leon instructed Asuna Yuuki.
"...Got it."
Asuna Yuuki's grip on her sword tightened slightly, and she replied softly to Leon, seemingly still a bit uneasy in her heart.
Leon, however, looked completely nonchalant, as if he wasn't going to meet family members but subordinates.
This was the benefit of not pursuing romance but only taking in servants.
If it were romance, the other party would be your future father-in-law and mother-in-law. You'd have to humble yourself and give them ample face, wouldn't you?
But taking in a servant means the other party is your servant's parents. By extension, they have to treat you like a big boss and speak humbly to you.
"In that case, Young Master Leon has nothing to do until tonight, right?" Miyamoto Musashi suddenly asked, "Then, Young Master, would you like to spar with me?"
This single sentence stunned both Leon and Asuna Yuuki.
"Are you challenging me to a fight?"
Leon pointed at himself, slightly surprised.
"Yes," Miyamoto Musashi admitted readily. "I've heard, Young Master, that you've awakened a variant trait—the more servants you have, the stronger you become, right?"
"It's also been a long time since I've dueled anyone. I'm honestly a bit eager to fight."
Miyamoto Musashi's challenge would not have been a rare occurrence even in her lifetime.
She considered herself a rōnin, and her greatest hobby was challenging strong opponents.
She wasn't necessarily bloodthirsty, but gaining enlightenment through battle was an inevitable path for every swordsman.
For a qualified swordsman, seeing a strong person and not challenging them would be an incomprehensible act.
However...
"Why would you think I'm a strong person?"
Leon asked with keen interest.
Based on what he had currently displayed, outsiders would only think that even if he became stronger, he was still just a six-winged High-Class Devil.
If the opponent were an ordinary person, Leon would undoubtedly be a strong person.
But when the opponent was Miyamoto Musashi, who would think Leon was a strong person?
Although Miyamoto Musashi only had four wings, she was the strongest sword master in history, a servant of the current Demon King Leviathan. Her actual combat power was at least Ultimate-Class Devil level, and possibly even a ten-winged Ultimate-Class Devil, not a recently promoted eight-winged one!
In other words, in terms of actual combat power, Leon, as merely a High-Class Devil, was at least one rank below her, and possibly two.
A gap of one rank was already considered huge; a gap of two ranks was an insurmountable chasm, not a sparring match but a one-sided annihilation.
Unless... Leon brought out his true capabilities.
And did Miyamoto Musashi know what Leon's true capabilities were?
The answer was naturally no.
But...
"Don't underestimate a swordsman's intuition, Young Master Leon."
Miyamoto Musashi's gaze on Leon became incredibly bright, as if she had activated the legendary "Mind's Eye" or "Heaven's Eye." A smile full of fighting spirit surfaced on her face.
"The blood, bone, flesh, and even the entire brain marrow of me, a swordsman, are all trembling, telling me that there is a worthy opponent in front of me. How could this person not be strong?"
Hearing this, Leon raised an eyebrow and immediately smiled.
His own fighting spirit was also ignited. The Devil's blood within him seemed to be boiling, telling him that he craved battle, craved chaos.
"Since the esteemed servant of the Demon King has said so, it wouldn't be very sensible of me to decline."
Fire burned in Leon's eyes as he looked at Miyamoto Musashi.
"Then, come."
This extremely direct response made Miyamoto Musashi's smile grow more genuine.
In the basement, the atmosphere had become tense, like the calm before a storm.
Asuna Yuuki, who had been practicing her sword-holding posture in the arena, had retreated, moving all the way to the outside of the basement barrier, watching the two figures in the arena with great tension.
Leon habitually spread his wings, flying into the air, occupying a favorable position.
Miyamoto Musashi, conversely, remained standing where she was, showing no intention of taking flight. She looked up at Leon with a smile on her face, appearing fearless and undaunted.
"You start first, Young Master Leon."
Miyamoto Musashi drew one of the two swords tied to her waist, rested it on her shoulder, and spoke boldly.
"Then I won't hold back."
Seeing Miyamoto Musashi's casual stance but the astonishing qi already gathering around her, Leon didn't hesitate.
"Boom!"
Astonishing magical power transformed into a fiery aura, rising in the basement.
The fierce battle erupted in an instant.
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