BOOM! BOOM! Crackle—!
Within the barrier-shrouded forest, lightning tore the sky as firestorms raged, reducing the earth to a wasteland of scorched rubble.
All around, Kuroka's silhouettes flickered—on the ground, in the air, vanishing as soon as Rias's spells struck home. Illusions, every one, conjured by youjutsu.
"Over here!"
Kuroka's voice rang out from behind. Before Rias could turn, a volley of glowing magic wheels—spun from youjutsu and senjutsu—lashed toward her back. She dodged desperately, but the very air thickened, gravity crushing her limbs. One wheel struck her squarely.
BOOM!
"Aaah—!"
Rias was thrown like a ragdoll, the explosion hurling her across the blasted ground.
"Rias-buchou!"
Koneko's voice trembled with panic. She tried to stand, but her body collapsed, powerless.
Kuroka materialized above Rias, looking down with a smirk. "Even with the Red Dragon Emperor's power, this is all you've got, nya? You're a far cry from the real Emperor—the one who beat Vali."
Rias forced a bitter smile, struggling to her knees. Her body felt crushed under impossible gravity—if not for that, she wouldn't have been hit.
"No wonder you're Koneko's sister. Senjutsu, youjutsu, magic… You've even mastered spatial manipulation?"
Kuroka's eyes glinted coldly. "That's just the basics, nya. Now, let's finish this. Once you're dead, I'll take Shirone and be on my way."
She raised her hand, energy crackling, ready to strike. But Rias, sprawled on the ground, suddenly grinned.
"Not so fast!"
A crimson magic circle flared beneath Kuroka's feet—the trap Rias had been waiting for.
"Damn!"
Kuroka leapt, but too late.
BOOM!
The blast caught her in midair. Even with senjutsu defenses, she couldn't escape unscathed; blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.
"Hah… hah… Damn you, Rias Gremory! You've really pissed me off now!"
Landing heavily, Kuroka's eyes burned with true killing intent.
Rias staggered upright, breathing ragged. Even her strongest attack hadn't finished Kuroka. At this rate, she'd lose for sure.
No—if Tenra hadn't shared the Red Dragon Emperor's power, she'd already be dead.
"Kuroka, unless you kill me, I will never let you take Koneko!"
Bloodied and battered, Rias glanced at Koneko—her resolve unshakable.
She would not hand her over. Never.
Kuroka's smile turned icy. "Then die!"
She called out sharply, "Bikou—now!"
A man's voice answered from above. "Extend—Ruyi Jingu Bang!"
A golden staff shot down like a thunderbolt, slamming into Rias's back.
"AAAHHH!"
"Rias-buchou!"
Koneko's face went ghostly pale.
The blow shattered the Red Dragon Emperor's armor. Rias spat blood, crashing to the ground.
A flash of gold, and an armored man appeared—Bikou.
"Sorry about that, Princess Gremory," he said, grinning.
Kuroka shot him a glare. "Didn't I say I'd handle this myself? Why are you butting in?"
Bikou shrugged. "You were taking too long. If someone finds us, it gets messy."
Kuroka snorted. "Fine. Once we finish her, we grab Shirone and get out."
She strode toward Rias, youkai power swirling in her palm, ready to end it.
"No, sister! Don't hurt Rias-buchou!"
Koneko had somehow crawled over, clutching Kuroka's leg, tears streaming down her face.
"I'll do anything, just please—don't hurt her!"
"Koneko, don't beg her! I… I can still fight…"
Rias tried to rise, summoning the Red Dragon Emperor's armor once more, but agony wracked her body. Blood dripped from her lips.
"Please, sister… please don't…"
Koneko clung desperately to Kuroka, terrified she'd strike the killing blow.
Kuroka hesitated, her expression wavering. For a moment, the killing aura faded. She sighed, letting the youkai energy in her hand dissipate.
"Shirone… Big sister loves you more than anything. If you don't want me to kill her, I'll let her go."
She scooped Koneko up, voice gentle. "You're just as talented as I am, Shirone. Once we leave, I'll help you unlock your hidden power—and teach you the strongest youjutsu and senjutsu. You'll be as strong as me in no time."
"I don't want it! I don't want power that brings misfortune…"
Koneko sobbed, shaking her head.
Kuroka's gaze hardened, but then softened again. "You're still too naive, Shirone. There's no such thing as power that brings misfortune—only those without power are truly unfortunate. Don't worry, I'll teach you everything."
For a heartbeat, her eyes flashed cold, but holding Koneko, she softened once more.
"Koneko, you're my servant and my family. Without my permission, I won't let you leave me again!"
Rias, watching Koneko about to be taken, shouted in desperation,
"Koneko, you're my servant! I won't let her take you away!"
"Rias-buchou…"
Koneko's voice was a whisper.
"Sister, I don't want to go… I don't want to go…"
Her words were heartbreak itself. Even Kuroka wavered, but steeled herself.
"Bikou, we're leaving!"
"Yeah, yeah…"
Kuroka cradled Shirone as Bikou yawned, bored. He opened a teleportation circle, and the two prepared to vanish.
"Koneko!!!"
Rias tried to move, but pain kept her pinned. All she could do was watch as they took Koneko away.
Tenra… please… hurry… Save Koneko… Save us!
She screamed the plea in her heart.
As if in answer, a cold voice rang out from above.
"You hurt my Rias. You tried to force Koneko-chan to do something she doesn't want. Who said you could leave?"
With a thunderous crack, the barrier shrouding the forest shattered.
A figure plunged from the sky—red and white armor, crimson wings and ethereal blue light.
Tenra had arrived.
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