The night air hung heavy, the pond still shimmering with the remnants of Riser's aura.Sona had seen the impossible—power that dwarfed the Maou, a will that bent the very world.And now, his question hung in the air, more dangerous than any flame:
"Will you bleed for this power, Sona? Will you endure it, to stand beside me as my equal?"
She stood frozen, her rational mind warring against the storm in her chest. Her fingers tightened around her glasses.
"…You're reckless," she finally whispered, her voice trembling despite her best efforts. "You show me all of this—power that even terrifies me—and then you ask me to bleed for it."
Riser smirked faintly, though his gaze stayed soft. "Because I trust you can. You're the one who told me you want to build something for devils beyond politics and bloodlines. Dreams like that… they demand sacrifice."
Sona bit her lip, her heart racing. He was right. He always managed to strip away her walls with infuriating directness.
Her shoulders lifted as she drew in a sharp breath. "…Then yes."
Riser blinked, mildly surprised. "…Yes?"
"Yes," she said more firmly, meeting his eyes now, her violet gaze lit with new steel. "If this is what it takes to stand as your equal… to protect what I believe in… and to stand beside you… I will bleed for it. I will endure it."
Her voice caught for an instant, but she pushed the words out, low and almost shy: "…Because I trust you, Riser."
For a moment, the arrogant Phenex prince actually fell silent. Then his grin returned, softer this time. "…Careful, Sona. Say things like that, and I'll think you've fallen for me already."
Her face flushed crimson, and she turned away sharply. "D-Don't twist my words!"
But she couldn't hide the truth—her heart had already admitted it.
A few meters away, a certain older sister crouched behind the hedges, wide-eyed, her hands clamped over her mouth to muffle her squeals.
Unbelievable…! Serafall thought, cheeks pink with excitement. He showed her all that insane power just for her?! Maou level, Super Devil level—he's not bluffing! And Sona—Sona actually said she trusts him!
She nearly jumped out of hiding to squeal her joy—until she realized something.
Riser, without even looking back, chuckled. "You know, you could come out now, Serafall. Observation Haki doesn't let me miss nosy sisters."
Serafall froze, then popped her head out sheepishly, caught in the act. "Ehehehe~ busted~! ♥"
Sona's face went pale, then red, as she spun around. "O-Onee-sama?! You—you were spying—?!"
Serafall put her hands together dramatically. "I couldn't help it! I felt your aura all the way from the house! And then I see this—Riser-kun glowing like a Super Devil, and Sona-tan blushing like a maiden in love~ oh my Satan, this is gold!"
"Shut up!" Sona nearly screamed, covering her face with both hands.
Riser just laughed, walking over and slinging an arm casually around Sona's shoulders, tugging her closer despite her struggling. "Relax, Sona. Let her enjoy the show. After all, she's your sister—and one day, she'll be mine too."
Serafall's jaw dropped. "Ooooh~ bold~! You're already talking like family, huh? I like it! You know what, Riser-kun—you've officially leveled up in my book!"
Sona groaned, utterly mortified. But deep down, beneath the embarrassment, a strange warmth bloomed. Riser wasn't just teasing. He meant it. He had shown her his greatest secret, trusted her with his will, and asked her to walk beside him.
And she had said yes.