The journey through the forest had been silent, both of them alert for pursuit. Dawn painted the sky in shades of crimson and gold as they finally reached the teleportation circle Algernon had prepared—hidden in a cave system far from the Naberius incident site.
Kuroka studied the intricate magical array with professional interest. "You really did plan this out, didn't you?"
"I told you—I've been preparing for months." Algernon activated the circle with a pulse of demonic energy. "This will take us somewhere safe. Somewhere we can complete the reincarnation properly."
The world twisted, reality compressing around them. When it snapped back, they stood in the basement of the Branch House manor—Algernon's personal space, heavily warded and absolutely secure.
Kuroka's ears twitched as she surveyed the room, her enhanced senses cataloging every detail. "Fancy. And private. Good choice."
"I won't conduct the ritual where we might be interrupted." Algernon gestured to a cleared space in the center of the room. "The reincarnation process is delicate—it requires focus and significant power. Are you ready?"
She met his gaze steadily, then a mischievous smile crept onto her face. "Before we do this, masked man, don't you think it's time you showed me who I'm really binding myself to?"
Fair point. If he expected her trust, he needed to offer his own.
Algernon reached up and removed the black mask, revealing his features fully for the first time. Crimson eyes met golden as he spoke clearly. "My name is Algernon Azeroth. I'm from the Gremory Branch House."
Azeroth, a name that would accompany him in his future.
Kuroka blinked, her tails freezing mid-sway. "Gremory? Wait—Azeroth, not Gremory?" Her head tilted, confusion and curiosity warring in her expression. "I thought I knew all the Gremory family members, but I've never heard your name."
"That's intentional. I've kept a low profile." He allowed a slight smile. "My ambitions don't exactly fit within traditional noble expectations. The less attention I draw, the better—at least for now."
She stepped closer, studying his face with undisguised interest. Her golden eyes narrowed playfully. "Well, well. I have to admit, you're not what I expected. What is it with devils and being unfairly good-looking? Is that some kind of genetic requirement?"
Algernon raised an eyebrow. "I didn't realize you were judging me by appearance."
"Oh, not all devils." Her tail swished behind her. "Just the interesting ones. You hide behind a mask, talk about changing the world, and then you have a face like that? You're full of surprises."
Despite himself, Algernon felt amusement tug at his lips. "If you're done with your assessment, we should begin. There's much to do—protecting your sister, dealing with potential fallout, and starting your real training."
Kuroka's playful demeanor softened. "You're right. Let's do this."
Algernon retrieved the box containing his Evil Pieces, opening it to reveal the crimson-black glow of the mutated bishop piece. The energy pulsing from it was palpable, far stronger than normal pieces.
"This is what will bind us," he explained, lifting the piece carefully. "The mutation will enhance your natural abilities rather than suppress them. Your Senjutsu, Youjutsu, your Nekoshou heritage—all of it will be amplified."
He held it out. "Do you want to handle the insertion yourself, or shall I?"
"Go ahead." Her golden eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Let's see what makes these pieces so special."
Algernon stepped forward, his movements deliberate and respectful. He pressed the bishop piece gently against her chest.
The reaction was immediate and overwhelming.
The piece was absorbed into her body in a flash of light, and power erupted like a contained storm. Crimson-black lightning crackled around Kuroka, illuminating the basement with its intensity. She gasped as energy flooded through every fiber of her being, rewriting her existence at a fundamental level.
Then her wings emerged.
The first pair burst forth—bat-like devil wings. But even as they manifested, they began to change. The leathery texture shifted, feathers replacing membrane, each one streaked with crimson and black that mirrored Algernon's own hair color. The transformation was beautiful, almost hypnotic.
But it didn't stop at one pair.
A second pair unfurled, identical in coloring. Then a third.
Algernon's eyes widened slightly. "Three pairs..."
That was the mark of a High-Class pure-blood devil. The mutation piece hadn't just reincarnated her—it had elevated her bloodline itself, transforming her into something greater than what she'd been born as.
The changes continued. Kuroka's two cat tails, already distinctive, suddenly became three. The additional tail emerged with a shimmer of magical energy, its fur lustrous and radiating power.
Her Nekomata bloodline had been purified, enhanced, brought to its full potential.
The light finally faded. Kuroka stood transformed, breathing heavily but radiating power that filled the room. She flexed her new wings experimentally, the six appendages moving with instinctive grace. Then she noticed her third tail and laughed—a sound of pure delight.
"High-Class devil?" She spun to face Algernon, her golden eyes wide with amazement. "And my bloodline... I can feel it. It's purer, stronger. These pieces really are something else."
Algernon said, using the system's designation for his mutation. "They don't just grant power—they unlock potential. Everything you already were has been amplified."
Kuroka took a few steps, testing her new body. Her movements were more fluid, more powerful. Even her aura had changed—denser, more refined, carrying the weight of a High-Class devil despite her young age.
"I can feel the difference," she murmured, clenching her fists. "My Senjutsu control is sharper. My Youjutsu feels more responsive. Even my spatial manipulation..." She made a small gesture, and the air beside her rippled slightly. "It's like I've been training for years in just moments."
Algernon nodded, satisfied. "That's just the beginning. As you grow and train, that potential will continue developing. The mutation piece grows with you."
He stepped forward, his expression becoming formal. "Kuroka. From this moment on, you are no longer just a stray, nor are you defined by your past. You stand as my Bishop—the first member of my peerage and the foundation of everything we'll build together."
Her playful demeanor softened, recognizing the weight of his words.
"As my first peerage member," Algernon continued, "you'll carry my name. Not Gremory—that's my connection to the past. You are Kuroka Azeroth. That name represents the future we're creating together—power earned through merit, ambition without limits, and the will to transcend whatever stands in our way."
Kuroka blinked, then her lips curved into a genuine smile—not teasing, but touched. "Azeroth... You're really giving me your name? That's bold, King."
"You're family now. Family shares names."
She placed a hand over her chest, over where the bishop piece now resided. "Kuroka Azeroth. I have to admit, it has a nice ring to it." Then her mischievous grin returned. "But you'd better work hard to live up to all this talk, King. I'm high-maintenance, you know."
"I wouldn't expect anything less from my Bishop."
"And by the way," she added, leaning closer with a purr, "you're definitely more handsome without that mask. Just saying."
Algernon chuckled despite himself. "Noted. Now, let's discuss practical matters."
_____________________________________________
As Kuroka continued exploring her new abilities—testing her wings, examining her third tail with obvious delight—Algernon felt the familiar pulse of his system activating.
[Quest Complete: The First Piece]
[Kuroka (Nekoshou) successfully reincarnated as Bishop.]
[Reward: Next ideal peerage candidate location and timing revealed.]
Information flooded into his mind. A map of the Underworld materialized in his thoughts, highlighting a specific location in territory controlled by the Fallen Angels. A cave system, isolated and forgotten.
[Next Candidate Location: Cave in Fallen Angel Territory]
[Optimal Recruitment Window: One Year from Current Date]
One year. That gave him time to train, to strengthen Kuroka, to prepare for whatever challenges came next.
He didn't need to see more details to know who he'd find there. The timeline, the location—it all pointed to one person. But he'd confirm when the time came.
A second notification appeared.
[Peerage Member Added: Kuroka Azeroth - Bishop]
[Status Overview Now Available]
Curious, Algernon pulled up her full status.
_________________________________________________________
Kuroka Azeroth - Bishop
Age: 11
Race: Half-Devil and Half-Nekomata
Class: Tier 1(High-Class)
Bloodline Status: pure blood devil, pure blood Nekomata
Abilities: Youjutsu: 60%, Senjutsu: 73%, Touki: 50%
Magic Potential: Highly Elevated (Boosted by Mutated Bishop Piece)
Wings: Three Pairs (Crimson-Black)
Unique Traits: Enhanced Poison Control, Illusionary Mastery, Spatial Manipulation
__________________________________________________
Impressive. Even freshly reincarnated, she was already at the lower end of High-Class. With training and time, she could easily reach Ultimate-Class—maybe even beyond.
Algernon dismissed the interface as Kuroka turned back to him, having finished her self-examination.
"So, King," she said, her tails swishing behind her, "what's the plan now? I assume you didn't go through all this just to have me sit around looking pretty."
"Far from it." Algernon's expression grew serious. "First priority is your sister. I need to ensure the evidence you left reach someone who'll actually protect her. Sirzechs Lucifer is the most likely candidate."
Kuroka's playful demeanor evaporated. "Can you really make that happen?"
"I have indirect connections through the main Gremory house. It'll require careful maneuvering, but yes. Your sister will be safe."
Relief flooded her features. "Thank you. Truly."
"Second," Algernon continued, "your safety. You're wanted by every devil authority in the underworld right now. We need to keep you hidden while things settle."
"And where exactly am I supposed to hide? Underground?"
"The Gremory Branch House, actually. Specifically, the manor I control in the human world."
Kuroka's ears perked up in surprise. "The human world? You have territory there?"
"A estate, well-maintained and private. No one would suspect a wanted criminal to be hiding in a Gremory property—it's audacious enough to work. Plus, it gives you space to train without interference."
She considered this, then grinned. "Hiding in plain sight. I like it. But what am I supposed to do while I'm laying low? I'm not great at sitting still."
"Train." Algernon's eyes gleamed with purpose. "Your Senjutsu and Youjutsu mastery is impressive, but your real potential lies in your spatial manipulation. That ability is rare, Kuroka—if you develop it fully, you could achieve mobility and versatility that rivals even Ultimate-Class devils."
Her interest was clearly piqued. "Spatial manipulation, huh? I've mostly used it for short-range teleportation and creating pocket spaces. You think there's more to it?"
"Much more. Spatial barriers that nothing can penetrate. Teleportation across vast distances. Creating dimensional pockets to trap enemies or store things. With enough mastery, you could even distort space around opponents, making their attacks miss or redirecting them entirely."
Kuroka's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Now that sounds fun. Alright, King, you've sold me. I'll work on my spatial magic. But don't expect overnight results—even a genius like me needs time."
"Take as long as you need. Just push yourself. Break your limits." He met her gaze steadily. "This isn't just about revenge or freedom anymore. It's about building something that'll reshape the devil world. And for that, I need you at your absolute strongest."
Her teasing expression faded into something more genuine—respect, perhaps even the beginnings of real loyalty. "You really believe in all this, don't you? Changing the world, conquering the Underworld..."
"I don't believe in it. I know it's possible." Algernon's voice carried absolute conviction. "And I'm going to prove it, one step at a time."
Kuroka studied him for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright, King. I'll follow your lead—for now. But if you slack off or fail to keep your promises, I won't hesitate to remind you that I have very sharp claws."
"Fair enough."
She grinned, her playful nature returning. "So when do I get to see this fancy human world manor of yours?"
"Tomorrow, after we handle some final preparations here. Tonight, you should rest—the reincarnation process is exhausting, even if you don't feel it yet."
"Fine, fine." She stretched, her three tails fanning out behind her. "But you'd better have comfortable beds in that manor. A cat needs her beauty sleep, you know."
Algernon shook his head, amused despite himself. "I'll make sure everything meets your standards, Bishop."
As Kuroka settled into the corner of the basement to rest—claiming she felt safer in enclosed spaces after years on the run—Algernon turned his attention to the next steps.
One year until his next recruitment opportunity. One year to train Kuroka, strengthen his own abilities, and lay more groundwork for his eventual conquest.
(END OF CHAPTER)
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