Chiba City, Chuo Ward. Leon's Manor, basement.
As red light burst forth from the magic circle, Leon's group of five officially returned home, back to their own territory.
"We're finally back." Utaha Kasumigaoka was the first to speak, stretching her limbs as she sighed with emotion. "Being in one's own home is much more reassuring."
"It is," Asuna Yuuki picked up after Utaha, brushing back the hair on her forehead. "Even though we were only gone for two days, it feels like a long time has passed."
"That's because of everything that happened, isn't it?" Yukino Yukinoshita said softly. "After all, it was like walking to the gates of hell and back. It would be stranger if we didn't feel deeply moved."
At those words, everyone fell into a collective silence.
Recalling their encounters over the past two days, they suddenly felt a sense of unreality. As girls who had once been ordinary high school students, that they would one day encounter such events and experience life-and-death battles was truly incredible when they thought about it.
However, they had already processed enough of these emotions beforehand and had quietly adjusted their mindsets; they wouldn't continue to wallow in these thoughts.
"I don't think anyone is hungry, since Rias-senpai already hosted us and fed us well," Mahiru Shiina said with a faint smile. "I'll go prepare some tea for everyone to help wash away the fatigue."
"I'll go too," Asuna Yuuki immediately chimed in. "Meguri-san gave me some tea leaves grown at her home; it's a perfect time to try them."
"Speaking of which, Koneko gave me a lot of snacks too," Utaha Kasumigaoka said, pulling out a parcel. "They'll serve well as tea cakes."
"Then I'll head to the study first," Yukino Yukinoshita said calmly. "Himejima-senpai and Shinra-senpai recommended quite a few books to me. Those should be in our study as well. I want to see just how remarkable these highly praised books actually are."
The girls spoke back and forth, quickly deciding on their plans for the evening.
"Go ahead then." Leon had remained silent, but seeing everyone quickly return to their usual state, he smiled. "As for tonight's duties, let's take a break. You can do whatever you like to adjust your state. But after tonight, I won't allow you to be so idle anymore, okay?"
"Understood."
The girls nodded and subsequently left the basement.
Leon also left the room, but on his way, he ran into Musashi Miyamoto, who was looking for him.
"You're back, I see."
Musashi Miyamoto, with her sword at her waist and fully armed, walked from the other side of the corridor, offering Leon a refreshing smile.
"Yes, we're back, Musashi-san."
Leon waved at Musashi by way of greeting.
"I've heard everything." Seeing that Leon had returned in one piece without missing any limbs, Musashi nodded with satisfaction. "I didn't expect you to encounter an attack from the Old Satan Faction during this trip. Life is truly unpredictable."
As a King's peerage member, Musashi Miyamoto's information was clearly well-informed; she already knew what Leon and the others had faced on this journey.
"Do you know people from the Old Satan Faction as well, Musashi-san?"
Seeing Musashi's pensive expression, Leon asked out of curiosity.
"Of course," Musashi replied without hesitation. "When I first met Serafall-sama, she wasn't a Satan yet."
The implication was that at that time, Serafall was still the young lady of the Sitri family, serving as a vanguard on the front lines representing the Reformist Faction against the Old Satan Faction.
"The period when I was about to be reincarnated as a devil happened to be when the civil war was entering its most intense stage. So, I had the fortune of seeing some of the battles back then, and I know how pedantic and crazy those fellows in the Old Satan Faction are."
Musashi Miyamoto spoke with a hint of nostalgia.
"The Trix family you encountered this time was annihilated by the Sitri family led by Serafall-sama and the Glasea-Labolas family led by Falbium-sama. At that time, I hadn't even been reincarnated as a devil yet."
The Falbium mentioned by Musashi referred to the current Satan Asmodeus, whose full name was Falbium Asmodeus. Like Serafall Leviathan, he was a figure seen as a Super-Satan class existence in the future.
In other words, the Trix family had been wiped out by the current Satan Leviathan and the current Satan Asmodeus leading their respective families. It was clear just how hated that family was.
"In my view, no one in the Trix family was normal. Every one of them was crazy, bigoted, and irritable. That's why even the true ruler of the Underworld back then—the son of the Original Beelzebub to whom the Trix family swore loyalty—could only use them as executioners. Because besides that role, no one in that family was fit for any other position."
Musashi seemed to have no positive feelings toward the Trix family as she continued her reminiscence.
"Being able to return in one piece after meeting that kind of fellow can be considered very lucky."
Hearing Musashi's words, Leon recalled the actions of Luffy Trix. Indeed, that fellow was not only irritable but also exceptionally bigoted and crazy. Originally, he thought this was just her personal style, but he hadn't expected the entire Trix family to be like that. No wonder they were exterminated.
Could it be that this mental state is brought about by the magical nature of this family?
Leon couldn't help but think so. Just as the characteristics and magical traits passed down through generations of devil families are inherited by their descendants, perhaps the magical characteristics and traits of the Trix family weren't anything good, leading to every member of the family being the same kind of bigot. Such a thing was not unheard of in the history of the devil world.
"Anyway, let's not talk about them." Musashi changed the subject and said to Leon, "I've already received instructions from Serafall-sama. She wants me to be stationed here with you from now on. While I'll be guiding Asuna in her swordsmanship, I'll also be responsible for protecting you all."
"Serafall-sama also mentioned that besides me, the Underworld will likely send one or two more experts just in case."
"Sirzechs-sama has been to the human world, right? Has he already mentioned this to you?"
Leon nodded, indicating he was already aware.
"That's good," Musashi said bluntly. "The people sent from the Underworld might take two or three days to arrange everything. Until then, I will take full responsibility for the safety of the Eligos peerage."
"Normally, besides going to school, if you have any other travel plans, it's best to let me know so I can make arrangements."
"By the way, Serafall-sama also charged me with training you all well. She said that right now, the entire devil world, as well as the Heaven and the Fallen Angels, are watching you. Some are looking forward to your growth, while others are waiting to see you stumble."
"In short, as long as it's something I can do, feel free to give me orders."
After leaving those words, Musashi Miyamoto departed.
Leon watched her retreating figure, lost in thought. From the changes around him, he could see that their emergence this time seemed to have brought about more widespread attention than expected. Not just the devils, but even Heaven and the Fallen Angels had shown significant reactions; otherwise, Sirzechs and the others wouldn't have been so hurried in making these arrangements.
Though they hadn't said it, Leon could guess from their attitude that various forces might have already taken some actions.
It's a pity we were exposed too early.
Leon still felt some regret about this. Had it not been for the attack by the Old Satan Faction, the uniqueness of the Eligos peerage could have remained hidden for a while longer, buying them more time to develop.
The time is still too short. If I had a year—no, even six months—I would have complete confidence in raising the strength of Yukino and the others to another level.
Even now, Yukino Yukinoshita, who was the first to join, had only been reincarnated as a devil for two or three months. Asuna Yuuki had only been reincarnated for a month or two. For Utaha Kasumigaoka and Mahiru Shiina, it was even shorter; both had been reincarnated for less than a month. To have their current strength could already be considered extraordinary talent.
If they had another six months, Leon believed that Yukino and Mahiru, the two Longinus holders, would surely become powerhouses capable of standing on their own. They wouldn't even fear an existence like Luffy Trix face-to-face. Asuna and Utaha would likewise grow to a point where they wouldn't lose to anyone in the Gremory or Sitri peerages, including the two "Queens," Akeno Himejima and Tsubaki Shinra.
If they could successfully master Balance Breaker, Leon would be even less afraid. He would then dare to confront head-on those fellows who had designs on them.
When that time truly came, even if others didn't know, Leon didn't plan on hiding it anymore. At the latest, when the Eligos peerage made their official debut, he would open everyone's eyes to just how strong he and his peerage were.
However, plans cannot keep up with changes. Before that could happen, they had already exposed their potential and become the targets of various forces.
This cannot continue.
Leon returned to his room and sat at his desk, one hand propping up his chin while the other tapped rhythmically on the table.
"Although the Satans have arranged everything, giving us a certain degree of security, true safety is never given by others; it is fought for by oneself."
"One's own strength is the fundamental way to eliminate all malice."
"Perhaps I should find a way to accelerate the growth of Yukino and the others."
Leon continued to ponder over this matter.
Outside the door, Mahiru Shiina, carrying hot tea, saw this scene upon entering. After a moment of silence, she ultimately retreated quietly.