Somewhere in Kuoh Town, inside the shell of an abandoned factory, two magic circles shimmered into existence overhead. Tenra stepped out first, followed by Rias and the rest of the girls.
A small bat fluttered from the shadows, landing daintily in Rias's palm—her familiar.
"Good job, little one. Leave the rest to us. Go on and get some rest," Rias praised, stroking its silky fur. The bat nuzzled her hand, let out a cheerful chirp, and vanished in a puff of smoke.
Sunset painted the sky in deepening shades of red. Night crept in, but Tenra and the girls didn't need to see it to sense the hostile presences lurking all around—murderous intent thick in the air, encircling them.
"Come out. We know you're there," Rias called, her voice cold and commanding.
As her words echoed, pairs of crimson eyes blinked open in the darkness, glowing with malice.
The atmosphere turned eerily surreal—enough to frighten any ordinary person. Only Asia, trembling, clung to Tenra's arm. The rest didn't flinch.
Footsteps rang out—deliberate, echoing. Three men strode from the shadows, eyes locked on Tenra and the girls.
"The Devil King's sister, Rias Gremory. The Lord of Two Heavens, Tenra Kamiyo. You honor us with your personal visit," said the man in the black coat, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Hmph. So you're with the Khaos Brigade's Hero Faction? You've been causing plenty of 'trouble' in my territory lately," Rias shot back, her tone icy.
No wonder Rias was so irritated. Ever since the Underworld incident, these Hero Faction goons had been popping up everywhere, sowing chaos and launching attacks in her domain. Even key strongholds of major factions had been hit. Cleaning up their messes was driving her mad.
"Ha ha ha… All for the sake of justice!"
"Purify the devils! Save the city!"
The three men laughed, their mockery echoed by voices from the darkness.
Rias's glare could have frozen steel. These idiots actually thought they were heroes? Purifying devils, saving the city—what a joke. They were nothing but brainwashed pawns.
"Ara ara, Rias, don't bother arguing," Akeno said, stepping forward with her trademark wicked smile. She raised a finger—lightning crackled and shot forth.
BOOM!
The three men barely dodged the blast. But dozens of their allies lurking in the shadows were incinerated instantly.
Ever since Akeno had accepted her true power, her strength grew by the day.
"Kill them! Kill them all!" the lead man roared.
A chorus of ghostly wails erupted as hundreds of wraiths, aberrations, and Stray Devils surged from the darkness, rushing the group.
"Everyone, move!"
"Yes, President Rias!"
Rias summoned her Crimson Emperor's armor, launching herself into the fray with Akeno, Xenovia, Irina, and Koneko. The battle erupted in a blur of magic and steel.
"You all help out too," Tenra said with a casual wave.
"Yes, Lord Tenra."
Yubelluna and Raynare dashed into the chaos, spells blazing. Tenra flicked away a few stray wraiths and raised a barrier, sealing off the horde outside.
Inside the barrier, Asia, Ravel, Kuroka, and the maids Maru and Bürent remained.
Asia's role was clear—healing wounds. Even if she wanted to fight, no one would let her.
Ravel could handle herself in a fight, Phoenix flames at her command, but she preferred not to dirty her hands. Tenra let her be.
Kuroka, meanwhile, was simply too lazy to bother.
Maru and Bürent set out tables and chairs, brewing steaming tea. Despite the chaos outside, Tenra and the girls lounged comfortably, sipping tea as if nothing was amiss.
It wasn't that they were heartless—there was just nothing to worry about. The enemy might be numerous, but Rias and the others would wipe them out soon enough.
Those wraiths, aberrations, and Stray Devils were only disposable cannon fodder, gathered for shock and numbers. Akeno and Yubelluna could vaporize them by the dozens with a flick. The only real challenge was the three Hero Faction men…
And each of them, as it turned out, wielded a Sacred Gear.
The black-coated man fighting Rias controlled searing white flames—hot enough to liquefy steel. Even Rias kept her distance.
Against Xenovia and Irina was a man in sunglasses. His Sacred Gear manipulated shadows—swallowing attacks and reflecting them from unexpected angles. His power wasn't overwhelming, but the trickiness kept the girls on their toes.
The last wielded a massive bow. With a surge of spiritual energy, he fired blue arrows—fast, powerful, and able to split into hundreds for a wide-area barrage.
Not Longinus-class, but still formidable Sacred Gears.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!
The factory was reduced to rubble as the battle raged. Inside the barrier, Tenra sipped his tea, watching with mild interest.
Honestly, Rias and the others could handle this alone. They didn't need backup. But Rias had mentioned that many of the recent troublemakers from the Hero Faction were Sacred Gear users, piquing Tenra's curiosity. He was glad he'd come along—three Sacred Gear users in one night!
Since taking Vali's Divine Dividing, Tenra hadn't had much luck acquiring other Sacred Gears. They were rare, after all. Opportunities like this were his favorite.
"Ahhhhh…"
Soon enough, the last wraiths, aberrations, and Stray Devils were wiped out. The three Sacred Gear users clung on, fighting desperately—but the battle was nearly over…
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