“Do you think I took things too far, Saber?”

  “Back in my day, the punishment for voyeurism and repeated assault would range from public humiliation to execution, depending on the total number of offenses.”

  “Never mind.”

  The sun was starting to go down and we had taken a little break outside the school to have a little snack. At this point, I was starting to theorize that Saber’s body had the ability to turn food into magical energy, because there’s no other expnation for someone consuming a dozen chocote buns without suffering any kind of change in shape or mass. So she was either a self-propelling engine or just immune to the ws of thermodynamics, and I wasn’t going to ask—I know better than to get myself eaten.

  After that, it was time for the main event. I had left Rias waiting for long enough.

  ?

  “Rias, I would recommend that you approach this situation with a bit more patience.”

  Akeno sat calmly on the Occult Research Club’s room, legs crossed on one of the fancy couch’s, sipping tea with a calm and charming smile. Meanwhile, for the first time in quite some years, her King proceeded to freak out, making a mess of the entire room.

  “What did my brother mean I should probably keep an eye on him?! And why’s Sona already ahead of me again?!”

  To say that communication between the Gremory heir and her brother wasn’t the best was not an exaggeration, but that was the norm for all Satans. What was rare was for the Red Satan to give instructions to his sister, of any kind. Rias was still a very young Devil, after all, so even if her peerage was still very far from complete, it wasn’t something unusual enough to worry about. And yet, this was the first time her older brother had intervened in the matter ever since he decided to trade Koneko with her—and the nekomata was the only member of her group with the potential to eventually become a Super Devil.

  Needless to say, things had gotten complicated for the young heir.

  “Although it is strange.” Kiba through out loud. “He didn’t seem surprised when he saw me, which means he’s probably aware of us. And if he talked with the President’s brother before coming here…”

  “Well, I suppose it is hardly a surprise.” Akeno continued to not pay mind, casually dodging as a heavy book flew her way. “We did choose a rather aggressive approach, which assumed he would immediately show us the same interest we did him.”

  “You think we made a mistake?” Rias asked, looking worried.

  “Hmmm… No, I wouldn’t say that much. But we were a bit impatient, which may have made out President look a little desperate.”

  Thing is—Rias was desperate. As much as she personally didn’t mind her current state, it was exactly because of her peerage’s ck of strength that her family had felt the need to try and solidify their dominance by offering her hand to the Phenex family. Or in other words, there was a ticking clock chasing behind her heels, counting down on her chances of finding a way out of the arranged marriage.

  It was at that moment that the small catgirl came back.

  “Koneko!” Rias momentarily stopped her rampage, turning around with a wide smile. “Give me some good news!”

  “There was a fight on the hallway,” the small girl said before sitting down. “It was really fun.”

  “That’s it?!”

  “All three perverts got beaten. I like the new guy. I hope he stays.”

  “Huh?” Akeno covered her mouth pyfully. “You didn’t tell us he was the type to jump to the rescue. I love a pure, untainted heart.”

  Kiba sighed tiredly. “We should really do something about those three. I know we can’t just expel the few guys we have, but…”

  “I agree,” Koneko nodded. “Everybody talks bad about the school. Girls don’t want to come here.”

  “Can we focus for a minute?!” Rias snapped. “Do we even know where he is right now?”

  “Oh, he should be coming now.”

  “What?! Why didn’t you tell me before?”

  Koneko stretched zily. “You didn’t ask me before, President.”

  ?

  I pulled out the piece of paper Rias had given me.

  Invitations, when it came to Devils, were more than just formalities. They were, in essence, keys to their specific teleportation circle, but they also needed to be able to turn off the magical defenses surrounding the pce, allowing the guest to enter without triggering every single arm on the building. Funnily enough, most Devils tended to forget about that little detail. And I just couldn’t resist the temptation to tease Rias a little, wondering if she’d be one of them.

  Holding the printed spell in my hand, I infused it with just enough magical energy, carefully activating the precise part of the incantation I needed. The invisible barrier encasing the old schoolhouse shimmered for a moment, then flickered and dimmed. It weakened just enough for me to slip through as though it had never been there at all.

  As I passed through, a strange sensation stayed on my tongue—a faint, metallic, numbing taste that hinted at the nature of the magic. It didn’t take much thinking to recognize Akeno’s touch. The spell had an unfamiliar quality to it, a subtle yer of something foreign and alien. Most likely, traces of her Fallen Angel nature seeped through the delicate weave. It was subtle, but impossible to deny.

  I guess none of us can outrun what we are, no matter how hard we try.

  The Occult Research Club’s base was a surprising sight, more beautiful than I’d expected. Its exterior had been overtaken by creeping vines, small tendrils of vegetation crawling up the walls as though nature was ying cim to the structure. But this wasn’t the work of neglect. It was clearly deliberate, a design choice that gave the old building a timeless, forgotten charm—as if it stood frozen here, beyond the human eye. The windows, dark and barricaded, added a yer of mystery, helping you assume nobody had set foot inside for ages. And yet, beneath the weathered stone, dirt and wild growth, the structure was in pristine condition, not a hole to be seen.

  It felt like something out of a fairy tale, calling out for me to go and explore it.

  The interior, however, was more a bit more boring and predictable—a good reflection of the Gremory cn’s taste. Red carpets lined the hallways, burning candles flickered from their perches, casting dancing shadows along the corridors. Everything was covered in a thin yer of dust, as though the building had been waiting for a breeze to sweep through and disturb its slumber for years now, only to be left wanting.

  I knew better than to wander around without direction. Instead, I made my way to the second floor, pausing briefly before knocking on the door to the main chamber. From inside, I could hear faint sounds—the soft ctter of nervous footsteps. Then, the door creaked open.

  "Oh, my... You must be our guest for today." Akeno greeted me with a gentle bow, her voice smooth and sweet, the kind that could lure you into a sense of ease. The simple movement was enough to make her massive chest bounce slightly. "Pleased to meet you. I’m the club’s vice President, Himejima Akeno. It is an honor to make your acquaintance."

  "I see. Apologies for arriving unannounced, but your master seemed quite eager to meet me. Would she be avaible?"

  "Indeed, she is. Though you may have to wait a moment... In the meantime, please, come inside."

  Her tone carried an innocent lilt, but there was something beneath the surface—a knowing, teasing quality in the way she spoke. Her words felt carefully chosen.

  Akeno was, without a doubt, an otherworldly beauty. She stood tall, her figure voluptuous even by this world’s standards, let alone for a Japanese girl. It was as if every inch of her appearance had been meticulously crafted, not a single detail left to chance. The clothes she wore, likely the same size as Rias’, stretched a bit too much over her curves, the fabric strained just enough to let her full nipples press visibly through the material. It was the kind of wardrobe malfunction that seemed too perfect to be accidental, making you wonder if you should say something about it or not.

  Her hair—pure, midnight bck—cascaded down her back in a long, sleek ponytail, nearly brushing the floor. The contrast between her delicate features and her body’s shameless presence said it all. She had made herself the image of a respectful, pure maiden, unfortunately trapped in a body designed to tempt and provoke.

  And Akeno knew exactly what she was doing. Every gnce, every movement was calcuted to try and get you to fold or make a fool of yourself. And she was painfully good at it.

  With that in mind, I made sure not to give her a single look, pretending as if she wasn’t there at all. It wasn’t easy.

  “Ah, so you’ve finally made it.”

  The room had two couches fnking a small coffee table. On one, Kiba sat with a worried smile, greeting me as I walked in. Beside him, Koneko sat silently, her focus entirely on whatever snack she was munching on.

  “Kiba. Koneko,” I greeted.

  At the sound of her name, Koneko gnced up. “We... haven’t met yet.”

  I shrugged as I took Akeno’s invitation to sit across from them. “Well, all of you already know who I am, so I guess that makes us even.”

  As I settled in, I finally noticed why Kiba looked so nervous. Toward the back of the room, a thin, shower-like curtain concealed the far wall behind him. Light filtered through, and behind it, the outline of a woman was clearly visible—Rias, framed perfectly by the light as she washed herself under the soft sptter of water. It wasn’t exactly like she was putting on a public show, but given that I could follow every slow movement of her hands across her long thighs and curvy chest, it was about as close as you could get to suggestive without crossing the line into soft porn. And she was enjoying herself in there, pushing her hips, bending her back and letting my imagination fill in the gaps.

  Then, out of nowhere, warm breath tickled my ear. “Is something the matter, Nyx?” Akeno’s voice was a soft, honey chuckle as she leaned in closer.

  I almost ughed at how hard they were trying, but somehow managed to keep it together. “Just wondering if that shower’s reserved for the President’s use.”

  “Oh?” She purred. “Were you thinking of joining her?”

  I gnced down for a deliberate moment, letting my eyes trace the curve of Akeno’s chest as she stretched out on the couch, like a cat basking in my attention. Then I met her gaze again. “I was just thinking that if I’d come at a different time, I might have caught a more interesting show. Maybe I should try again every now and then.”

  For a brief moment, the entire room stood still, the only sound being the faint drizzle of water. Akeno smiled, and I could almost hear Rias groaning behind the curtain, as the show had immediately stopped.

  “Akeno! J-Just bring me my clothes!”

  “Yes, President~” Akeno replied with a pyful lilt, csping her own cheek.

  A minute ter, Rias emerged, fully dressed but clearly flustered. The tension in the room eased as everyone settled into pce. While the rest of us remained seated, she stood by her desk, her posture firm as she looked down at us.

  “Nyx Cervantis,” she began, resolute. “I’ll make this simple for the both of us. Join my peerage, and I promise you the full support of the Gremory cn. Whatever your goals are, I’m confident they can be achieved with my help. My family, as always, stands atop the Underworld, and I would be gd to have you stand with us.”

  I had to hand it to her—Rias cared deeply for her family and knew how to present that without coming off like an arrogant asshole. I mean—she wasn’t wrong.

  So I let the silence stretch for a moment, pretending to mull over her offer. Then, finally spoke. “I’m sorry, but I’ll have to decline.”

  Her eyes widened, not expecting that response at all.

  “W-What do you mean decline?!” She paused, regaining her composure. “Is this because of the Student Council? If so, I’m more than willing to negotiate. I’m sure we can come to some kind of agreement, in spite of what they might have offered.”

  I shook my head slightly. “I’ve decided to take a few lessons on magic from them, yes, but it’s not like I’m joining their peerage either. Honestly, I don’t feel comfortable binding myself to a group of strangers. Right now, I’m more interested in forming my own peerage—getting to know some interesting people around Kuoh City, maybe even trying to see if some second heirs would be interested. I don’t have many connections through the Underworld, but I’m hoping that will change soon enough.”

  That seemed to catch her attention. Her posture softened. “Then, what if we took the time to get to know each other? Like you said, you could come back here occasionally, maybe take a few weeks to think about it.”

  I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “What I really want to know… is what your brother told you about me. I don’t mind that you’re trying to recruit me, but this feels a little… rushed.”

  Rias expression shifted, and she took a step back, perching herself on the desk behind her. Her demeanor grew more serious. “He didn’t tell me much—only that I probably wouldn’t get a better chance to spend eight pawns on a single ally. Or in other words, that if I were to recruit you it would be the same as acquiring another Queen.”

  I studied her for a moment, letting her words settle, preparing my next card. “I’m looking for fragments of Excalibur. I have reason to believe a few of them will be coming to this city within the year. They’re not exactly crucial for me, but my Queen—she’ll only join my peerage if I promise to retrieve them for her. It’s the only leverage I have.”

  The room’s atmosphere changed. This time, it wasn’t Rias who was at a loss for words. Kiba’s reaction was clear—his jaw clenched, tension rising to his face. Everybody else noticed immediately, but no one said anything.

  “Why are you looking for fragments of Excalibur?” Kiba asked, his voice tight as he struggled to keep his temper in check.

  “My Queen is a bit of a special case,” I replied, leaning back slightly. “She isn’t particurly adept at magic, but she was born with an almost perfect compatibility with Excalibur. My pn is to reforge it and give it to her. Right now, we have one fragment, but I promised her I’d do everything in my power to collect the others—even if that means taking them from the Church.”

  And just like that, I had earned his full attention.

  Rias hummed thoughtfully, crossing her arms. “That won’t be easy. It could take years to gather all the fragments in one pce, and the Church won’t exactly welcome a Devil reforging a Holy Sword.”

  “That’s exactly why I’m not interested in joining any organization right now,” I said. “I understand the risks for myself and anyone who chooses to follow me. But… if you would still insist on having me, we could work together for a while. Treat me as you would any other member of your peerage, and I’ll handle the Excalibur business on my own. That way, if we ever realize this isn’t working, we can part ways without any hard feelings. I am not looking to drag all of you into this.”

  Akeno chuckled softly, the teasing edge to her voice still present. “So, you’d join us as a probationary member? Would it be our job to sink our cws in and make sure you never want to leave?”

  Rias stayed silent, contempting, then turned to the others. “What do you all think?”

  “We could just throw him at the next group of perverts we see,” Koneko muttered, entirely uninterested, opening another chocote bar. “Like having a wnmower for weirdos.”

  Kiba took a moment, his eyes still locked on me. “President, if what he’s saying is true, and you believe we can trust him, I see no harm in giving him a chance.”

  Rias nodded slowly. “I agree. But as for whether we can trust him…” Her gaze shifted back to me, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “Nyx, would you mind if we conducted a little test? Just to ensure we can count on you.”

  “A test?” I repeated.

  Her smile widened, mischievous, almost predatory. “Well… I am curious to see what my dear brother saw in you. And there’s no best way to get to know each other than to fight together.”

  ?

  It was te. The world was bnketed in darkness. Wading through a field of

  tall grass, we approached the site of the attacks. The abandoned building slowly

  took shape in the distance.

  “How long have you known there’s a stray living here?” I asked, breaking the silence.

  Kiba gnced at me, then shrugged slightly. “Sometimes they’re given a grace period. A chance to find their way back to their master. We try not to exterminate them without mercy.”

  I nodded. That made sense. Still, it was hard to believe that stray Devils were as rare as they cimed. All it took to create one was an abusive master or a servant too frightened to obey. How could anyone expect a reincarnated human—someone who had barely spent a few decades on this world—to fully grasp the weight of reincarnation, or to embrace a life-long pact with open arms? No matter how much you drilled it into them, old habits and survival instincts didn’t just fade away.

  In reality, it was almost inevitable that some peerage members would inch closer to outright rebellion, given the right circumstances. That stray Devils were still considered a rarity said more about the demonic world’s control over information and its influence on powerful figures than most were willing to admit.

  And once those same runaway humans got a taste of demonic magic—using it recklessly, out of desperation or sheer fascination with the unknown—it wasn’t hard to imagine the chaos they could unleash. That was the real reason stray Devils were so dangerous. If they were ever allowed to organize, to form factions of their own within the human world, it wouldn’t take long before the entire pying field was flipped over. Years, maybe even less.

  Hell, it wasn’t like humans weren’t already plotting their own revolution, so it wasn’t entirely wrong for Devils to be wary. But still, the fact that all three major factions had agreed on a shoot-on-sight policy for strays? That felt like overkill.

  My demonic eyes had no trouble cutting through the shadows, revealing the structure ahead. But even then, it was hard to put into words what we were looking at. A tower? Something old, abandoned beyond the forest's edge? Maybe a manor left to decay by some long-forgotten noble? I couldn’t be sure. It loomed like a memory of something important.

  As we approached the towering building, the whispers grew louder and worried.

  “I smell blood,” Koneko murmured as she pressed her sleeve against her nose.

  “Not blood,” I corrected, taking a deep breath. “Just stains. Whoever died here… it’s been a long time. There’s not even blood left.”

  The door creaked open with a single push, and an unsettling silence descended upon us, thick as tar. It was the kind of silence that felt alive, like the eerie hum of insects at dusk, except it wasn't soothing—it was violent, hungry, eager. The weight of it settled on our shoulders, making every breath feel like an invitation for battle. It wasn’t enough to make us turn back—mostly because we were all together. Alone, even a Devil would’ve been tempted to retreat. The air was heavy with the unmistakable residue of death, as though the souls of the fallen clung to the walls, their resentment lingering long after their bodies were gone, now feeding their predator’s malice.

  It was… strangely simir to the catacombs where I grew.

  Rias stepped forward, hands resting casually on her hips. “Nyx, I’m guessing you’ve never had the chance to participate in a Rating Game.”

  “You’re right.”

  “Hmmm.” Her gaze flickered over the room, then settled back on me. “Then, since we’re both inexperienced, let me expin this as best I can. My intention tonight is to try and learn exactly what kind of Evil Piece you might be. My brother says you’re worth eight pawns, but that’s not enough for me. I need to understand how you use your abilities—how I could make use of them once the time comes—which role you may py on an open battlefield.”

  “So, you’re asking how I’d handle a Promotion if I had one,” I said, meeting her gaze. “What Evil Piece I would choose to turn into as a Pawn.”

  She nodded, her expression thoughtful. “Exactly. I want you to choose one of my followers—the one you feel most comfortable working with. The two of you will go into the building, and I’ll observe. I need a reference, something to compare your skills against.”

  The one I feel most comfortable with, huh?

  If we were talking literally, it’d have to be Akeno. She had that easygoing vibe, the type of person who would just follow my lead, probably teasing me about my choice the whole time, but always serious enough to have my back when it counted. Especially when it came to long-range attacks, of which I didn’t have that many. Besides, there was something about her company I liked.

  And she knew it.

  As I gnced over at the group, Akeno caught my eye, tilting her chin slightly with a knowing smile, her shes fluttering pyfully. Her eagerness was palpable, like she was more than ready to hunt down whatever unfortunate creature crossed our path and torture it just for the fun of it.

  But I had a different move in mind.

  “Kiba, will you come with me?”

  The blonde swordsman blinked in genuine surprise. “Me? I... wasn’t expecting that choice.”

  “Well, magic’s not exactly my strong suit,” I admitted. “If I wasn’t a King, I’d probably be a Knight. So, I figured it made sense to team up with you if the President wants to assess my skills. Let’s give the girls something to look at.”

  “I see…” Kiba’s surprise melted away as he pushed whatever thoughts he had to the back of his mind. “Let’s go, then.”

  Just as we turned to leave, Rias’ voice pulled us back. “Kiba,” she called. “Remember, this may not be an official Rating Game, but the goal remains the same. I’m watching to see how my peerage would fare against the strength of others. Do your best.”

  Kiba bowed deeply. “I won’t disappoint you, President.”

  With that, we left the others behind and ventured into the heart of the tower. Our opponent still hadn’t revealed itself, but a spiraling staircase appeared to lead the way, curling along the circur stone walls as we ascended to the second floor.

  That’s where the debauchery began.

  The base floor hadn’t been much more than an abandoned medieval shrine, worn down by both time and looters. But as we climbed higher, the scent of death thickened, suffocating the air with its presence. By the time we reached the second floor, it hit like a wall. The first set of human bones greeted us behind a heavy wooden door, id out like a grotesque exhibit. They were clean, polished even—whoever had done this had taken their time, ensuring not a shred of flesh remained. It felt almost like… art. Twisted, morbid art.

  Without hesitation, I summoned my weapon.

  “First Hardblood Art — Split!”

  A giant, elongated whip with multiple tails of deep, blood-red energy materialized in my hand, each tendril jagged and lined with vicious spikes. It was a brutal creation, designed to make my enemies bleed, to tear them apart if necessary. This was the first weapon I’d forged using my Crimson Oath. Back when I was more focused on taking my enemies apart piece by piece, taking bites until they crumbled, making sure they’d bleed through the fight.

  “Kiba.”

  “I can sense it.”

  Heavy footsteps echoed ominously through the darkness as a gargantuan creature advanced. It wasn’t a Devil anymore—and yet, whatever it had once been, this abomination belonged in hell. One gnce told me that much.

  From the waist up, the creature still retained the form of a beautiful, voluptuous woman, but her lower half was a grotesque nightmare. Where legs should have been, a monstrous, fur-covered body twisted into existence, sprouting an additional pair of massive, muscur arms that gripped a rough, emerald nce. Two pairs of dog-like legs made her some sort of nightmarish centaur, but the horror didn’t stop there. A gaping second mouth stretched grotesquely across her midsection, and from behind, a snake-like tail thrashed violently, completely out of sync with the rest of her body.

  “Kee-hee-hee-hee-hee-hee-hee-hee…” An ominous, raspy ugh echoed around us. “What is this stench? Gimme a taste! Sweet? Bitter? I wonder… Oh, I wonder…”

  Kiba and I didn’t hesitate. We moved as one, leaping from the ground and splitting in opposite directions. His sword shimmered in the dim light as he mirrored my movements with perfect precision.

  “Stray demon Byser! We’ve come to extinguish your life!” Decred the Knight.

  The beast responded with a frenzied flurry of nce strikes, swinging the massive weapon like it was swatting at flies. But for all its size and strength, it had only one set of eyes—and they clearly couldn’t even follow us.

  I felt no fear. Instead, a strange sense of exhiration surged through me. Confident I wasn’t in any immediate danger, I took a deep breath and dove in, relishing the moment. The sharp crack of my whip resounded as it sliced through the air, and then—impact. Flesh tore apart with a scream of pure agony, and a cascade of blood rained down like crimson rose petals. My whip had torn through her shoulder, branding both flesh and bone with searing force.

  The beast's emerald nce fell to the ground with a heavy thud, and Kiba nded gracefully beside me. His first strike had been perfect—he had poured his heart into it, and managed to match me in cutting off the abomination’s arms.

  Now, the creature raged. Blood continued to pour freely from her wounds, spttering the floor in heavy, wet beats as she howled in fury. But despite her thrashing, she was already falling apart.

  “I have a question for you,” Kiba said suddenly, his tone cold as he swung his sword in a sharp arc, flinging the blood from its bde. “You said you're pnning to reforge Excalibur.”

  “I am.”

  Before he could respond, the monster's immense jaws snapped open, and a magical circle shimmered into existence. We both stepped aside, dodging a bst of raw, uncontrolled magic that tore through the air, obliterating part of the tower’s stone wall in a deafening explosion.

  “What makes you think Excalibur should be yours to wield?!” Kiba's voice was edged with fury, his eyes burning with an old resentment.

  “Should?” I chuckled, keeping my eyes on the beast as it writhed in pain. “Should we leave it in the hands of the Church, then? Excalibur is a weapon. Weapons will always be used. The only thing we can do is choose who gets to wield them.”

  Kiba stood firm, his bde fshing as he deflected a brutal strike from the creature’s shing tail. “We could end it!” he grunted. “Shatter it into a million pieces and make sure no one suffers because of that sword again. We could stop the bloodshed—for good!”

  By this point the creature had begun to retreat, limping back the way it had come. I snapped my whip forward, cing it around one of its legs. The spikes dug deep into its flesh, and with a sharp pull, I yanked it back, dragging it toward us.

  “That decision isn’t yours to make,” I said, my voice lowering as I grew serious. “I know who you are, Kiba. I know what you've lost. But Excalibur doesn’t belong to you, just like it doesn’t belong to the Church. It has a rightful owner, and I intend to see it returned to her.”

  The Knight’s eyes went wide. “What?”

  “My Queen—or rather, the woman I hope to call my Queen—she carries the blood of Arthur Pendragon in her veins. The Church has butchered her legacy for long enough, but I won’t let you destroy Excalibur and take away her chance to set things right. She deserves the chance to write her own story.”

  Kiba grunted, his features hardening. He didn’t agree, that much was obvious. His anger simmered beneath the surface, but he remained silent, unwilling to continue the argument.

  “Save that anger,” I said, releasing my whip with a sharp flick. The beast’s severed leg slid across the floor, left behind. “You’ll need it for the real monsters.”