The next morning.
Today, the members of the Eligos peerage did not go for special training. Instead, they were all summoned by Leon to his tent, where they sat in a neat row before him.
"No special training today?"
Yukino Yukinoshita watched Leon yawn in front of her, crossing her arms as she voiced the question.
The others also looked toward Leon. Their expressions held curiosity, but not much confusion.
After these two weeks of special training, the four girls had not only grown significantly in strength, but their temperaments had changed. Even their overall spirit was completely different from before; they now sat quietly waiting for Leon's instructions, possessing a sense of composure that suggested they could calmly accept whatever might happen.
Looking at Yukino and the others, Leon said nothing, but he was very satisfied inwardly.
He knew that prior to this, although these girls had gained supernatural powers by becoming his servants and were no longer ordinary humans, their mindsets hadn't changed much.
After the attack by the Old Maou Faction, their mentalities began to shift, but they had only just barely stepped out of the realm of "ordinary people."
However, during this half-month of special training, the girls had experienced high-intensity discipline and combat unlike anything they had ever known. To their former selves, such a thing would have been unimaginable.
Aside from everything else, the basic training every morning—which could be described as having a "lethal dosage"—was something even determined boys might not be able to endure. Yet they had not only persevered but had also dealt with Leon's relentless bombardment and interference throughout the process. If this treatment had been given to some pampered "little fairies," they likely would have exploded long ago.
Yukino and the others had persevered to the end, and the resulting changes were visible to the naked eye. They had finally established the self-awareness and confidence that they were no longer ordinary girls, to the point where their speech and actions had become much more serene and steady.
Now, they were qualified servants—qualified supernatural beings.
If they were sent back to the time of the Old Maou Faction's attack now, Leon believed they would all be able to pass the trials of the first five rooms and reach the Master's Chamber where he was located together.
"No special training today," Leon said, meeting the girls' gazes while resting one hand on his hip. "Today, we are taking a trip to the Gremory Territory."
The Gremory Territory?
Isn't that the territory of Rias-senpai's family?
Yukino and the others exchanged glances before looking back at Leon in silent inquiry.
"It's like this—"
Leon recounted his conversation with Sirzechs from the previous day to the girls and then stated:
"After contacting Lord Sirzechs, he told me to just go to his family home today and wait for him. People from the Phenex family will be going there as well. We will meet there to see the young lady of the Phenex family who is about to become my servant and your companion."
Hearing this, the girls first felt a sense of realization, followed quickly by some confusion.
"Can devils become servants too?" Utaha Kasumigaoka muttered. "I thought only races other than devils could accept Evil Pieces and become servants by reincarnating into devils."
After all, they were already devils; why would they need to accept Evil Pieces and become someone else's servant devil?
"That's where you're oversimplifying things," Leon explained, noticing Utaha's misconception. "It's true that most servant devils are reincarnated from other races, but servant-servants who were originally devils are not nonexistent."
"Some are devils from commoner backgrounds who want to obtain high-efficiency cultivation methods by becoming the servants of high-ranking devils to get stronger. Or, they use this method to build connections with pure-blood devils of noble birth to advance their careers."
"Others are chosen because of their outstanding talent or superior strength, being scouted by high-ranking noble devils to join their peerage."
"Don't think that devils won't become someone else's servants. Because of the Rating Games, many devils actually want a stage to showcase their own value and climb the ladder of the devil world. These people usually hope to join the banner of a 'King' with potential and strength, much like a medieval knight choosing a monarch worthy of their loyalty to realize their dreams."
"So, many who are already devils choose to become someone else's servants, especially under those powerful 'Kings' and strong peerages. As long as one can make a name for themselves in the Rating Games, there will be plenty of people wanting to join them."
Ravel Phenex was in a similar situation. Because the Phenex family was optimistic about the future of the Eligos peerage and Leon's potential, believing he would distinguish himself in the devil world, they chose to have their daughter serve him and follow him as he made his mark.
If Leon could become a pillar of the devil world in the future, holding a status no lower than a Maou, then even the status of his servants would far exceed that of an ordinary high-ranking devil, making it much more prestigious than being a simple noble daughter.
If it weren't for this, so many devil families wouldn't have been willing to send their own people for Leon to choose from.
As long as there is profit to be gained, what does it matter if one is a servant?
This was the value system of devils.
Of course—
"The premise is that we must have enough value to make them willing to do so," Leon said. "In the past, we were unknown, or rather, the attention I received in the devil world wasn't enough, so such things didn't happen."
"But now, we have fully demonstrated our ability and value. Naturally, there are as many people interested as there are stars in the sky."
"The young lady of the Phenex family is the one I chose, and the only one I am interested in."
"Today, we'll go meet this young lady and see what she's made of."
This was actually the result of a mutual selection.
Leon had chosen her and wanted to see her; she would also want to see him to determine if he was truly worthy of her submission.
"Someone from the Phenex family?" Asuna Yuuki seemed somewhat interested. "Does that mean she can produce Phoenix Tears?"
"They have immortal bodies, right?" Mahiru Shiina also had a deep impression of this family and asked, "Are there really devils that can't be killed?"
The girls asked one after another out of curiosity.
"Well, how should I put it?"
Leon scratched his head and then said:
"As for Phoenix Tears, they certainly know how to make them. Anyone from the Phenex family can produce them, but thinking they can be made easily is just a pipe dream. It's said they must go through a special ritual to be successful, so even if they have them, they aren't exactly abundant."
"As for the immortal body, it's true that a Phenex can regenerate immediately even if they are reduced to ashes. However, while the body can be resurrected, the spirit is a different story. The most direct way to defeat a Phenex is to destroy their spirit, or beat them until their magic is exhausted and regeneration stops."
"If one's power far exceeds theirs, it's possible to crush the spirit along with the body. So while an immortal body is very strong, it isn't invincible; there are ways to counter it."
Otherwise, the Phenex family would have dominated the Underworld long ago.
Precisely because their weaknesses are clear and they are not invulnerable, the Phenex family holds a respectable position in the devil world, but not an overwhelmingly high one. At the very least, they cannot compare to the Great King house, the Archduke house, or the families of the various Maous.
"You don't need to see her as anything too special. Even if she is a Phoenix, you are no less than her—in fact, she might even be inferior to you."
Leon spoke these words, and it was the truth.
At the very least, compared to Yukino Yukinoshita and Mahiru Shiina, who were hosts of Longinus, the little "Fire Turkey" girl was certainly going to be inferior.
The truly special aspects of the Phenex family were the production of Phoenix Tears and that difficult-to-overcome immortal body. The former only serves for healing, and the latter only makes them hard to defeat; it doesn't mean they themselves are inherently powerful.
Proof of this was that the highest-ranking members of the current Phenex family were only Ultimate-Class devils. Whether anyone possessed Maou-class strength remained an unknown. Perhaps the first-generation Phenex had such power, but very few descendants had reached that height—it's even possible none had.
In the original story, the highest-ranking Phenex member shown was an Ultimate-Class devil; no one in that family had demonstrated Maou-class strength.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have chosen to invest in the Red Dragon Emperor, nor would they be looking at Leon now.
"Get ready, we'll head out soon," Leon said after the girls' questions subsided. "We'll teleport directly using a magic circle. It won't take long."
Hearing this, the girls nodded in unison and left the tent to change their clothes.
Underworld, Gremory Territory.
Like the Eligos Territory, although the Gremory Territory was vast—roughly the size of Honshu—most of the land remained undeveloped. This resulted in many mountains, forests, and massive lakes that stretched beyond the horizon within the territory.
The difference was that, as a family currently rising like the sun in the devil world, the Gremory Territory was not only home to many people but also numerous towns, cities, and even castles.
Since ancient times, members of the Gremory family have appeared at important events riding camels, so the Gremory mascot is the camel "Gomomo." At the same time, the Gremory family is one of the wealthiest in the devil world because their family trait is the ability to discover treasures. Furthermore, the family members are known for being deeply emotional, to the point where both Sirzechs and Rias tend to dote on their servants.
This is because, in their eyes, servants are also treasures they have discovered.
Thanks to this, the Gremory family has produced talents generation after generation, each with highly capable servants under their command who help manage the territory perfectly.
On this day, in front of the Gremory main estate, a magic circle suddenly appeared, allowing Leon's group to gradually manifest within a red light.
"Alright, we're here."
Leon led the way out of the magic circle and spoke to his servants, but he received no response.
Because they were all stunned by the scene before them.
"Th-this is the Gremory home?"
Utaha Kasumigaoka pointed tremulously at the building in front of her, speaking with a look of disbelief.
The other girls didn't speak, but their reactions were similar.
There was no helping it; what appeared before their eyes was a massive castle and a courtyard so large it was hard to imagine.
Outside the castle, there were flowerbeds blooming with beautiful flowers everywhere. The roads were bright and wide, vegetation sat in neat rows, and beautifully designed fountains continuously sprayed water, while various small birds flew through the sky. it was like a fairyland.
The girls were struck speechless by the sight, unable to imagine that this was a family's private residence.
With this level of luxury, wouldn't it be no exaggeration to call it a King's palace or fortress?
Originally, Leon's manor had seemed like an incredibly extravagant residence to them—at least the Yukinoshita, Shiina, and Yuuki families didn't have homes that luxurious. However, compared to the castle and courtyard before them, their own manor was nothing; it probably would only take up a small corner here.
"Surprised already?"
Leon could understand their feelings, but the best was yet to come.
Along with their arrival, the castle gates slowly opened, and a red carpet rolled out from within, covering the entire ground.
Groups of maids and butlers poured out from the castle, lining up on both sides of Leon's group to form a path. They played music and bowed in greeting.
"Welcome to the Gremory Estate."
The one leading them was Sirzechs' "Queen"—Grayfia Lucifuge.
The maid bowed to the group and spoke with a voice as calm as still water, ignoring the stunned expressions of Yukino and the others.
"Lord Sirzechs and the members of the Phenex family are already waiting for you. Please move into the castle."
Saying this, Grayfia stepped aside and made a gesture for them to enter.
"Thank you for your trouble."
Leon nodded to Grayfia. Seeing the girls still standing there stunned, he immediately grabbed the hands of Yukino and Asuna, who were closest to him, and advanced along the carpet.
Utaha and Mahiru finally snapped out of it and hurried to follow.
The group of five passed through the massive gates, entered the interior of the castle, passed through a series of opening doors, and walked down a long, luxurious corridor until they reached what appeared to be a grand hall.
Ahead was a staircase leading to the second floor, with a massive chandelier hanging from the ceiling. To the side, a door to a room stood open; it appeared to be the parlor.
Under Grayfia's guidance, Leon's group entered the parlor and saw the people chatting inside.
"You've arrived?"
One of them turned around and smiled at Leon and the others.
It was Sirzechs.
As for the other people there, they instantly drew the attention of Leon and his group.
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