[Chains of Heaven (Enhanced): An enhanced version based on Gilgamesh's legendary chains. These divine bonds grow stronger alongside their owner. At minimum, they can restrain High-Class level opponents. At maximum potential, they can bind three-digit tier beings.] (TN: Universal Level)
"Taking someone else's sister right from under their nose?" Kuroka's voice dripped with indignation as she bared her fangs slightly. "That really makes this cat uncomfortable, nya~!"
Her aggressive stance made her intentions crystal clear.
However, there was a fundamental problem. As a master of Senjutsu and Youjutsu, Kuroka found herself at a severe disadvantage against Takeyo's abilities. The thought of engaging him in direct magical combat was practically suicidal given how easily he countered her techniques.
In pure hand-to-hand combat without overdrawing his incarnations' power, Takeyo would actually struggle against Kuroka. After all, her physical capabilities matched those of a High-Class Devil, far superior to his current baseline.
The Chains of Heaven should theoretically be able to restrain her, though barely.
However, Takeyo had no intention of using them. Not yet, at least.
Because right now... there was simply no need.
Just as the tension between them reached its peak, a cheerful, sing-song voice descended from the sky above.
"Mil~mil~mil~milmil~final~☆"
The voice carried an almost musical quality, completely at odds with the confrontation unfolding below.
"Bullying the precious family members of my adorable So-tan~☆ This is absolutely unforgivable~! Milky-chan will punish you on behalf of Sona-chan~☆"
Takeyo had predicted this exact scenario. After all, protecting her loved ones, especially her younger sister, was one of Serafall's defining characteristics. He'd sensed her presence the moment she'd entered a certain radius around them, her overwhelming demonic power impossible to miss.
"Magical Girl~☆ Serafall has arrived~☆ Time to punish the naughty Stray Devil kitty and the disobedient monkey who won't listen~☆"
Looking skyward, Takeyo spotted a figure descending through the air. She wore an elaborate pink magical girl costume, the iconic "Magical Girl Milky" outfit complete with off-shoulder design, pointed hat, and thigh-high boots. Her long black hair was styled in twin tails that streamed behind her in the wind, and red-and-black striped stockings hugged her legs.
Most importantly, the star-tipped magic wand in her hand crackled with terrifying ice magic, the temperature dropping noticeably as power gathered at its tip.
"Pink..." Takeyo muttered, his eyes inadvertently dropping.
"Hiss~"
A sudden sharp pain shot through his shoulder, accompanied by an itching sensation. Koneko had bitten him.
"Kitten, I meant her eyes~!" Takeyo quickly corrected himself, realizing his mistake.
Yes, he'd been referring to Serafall's pink eyes, definitely not her underwear, even though from his current angle he could technically see them beneath her magical girl skirt.
"Hmm..." Koneko released her bite, though her vertical pupils remained narrowed in suspicion.
Meanwhile, Bikou swallowed hard as he recognized the newcomer. Unless he remembered incorrectly, this was Serafall Leviathan, one of the Four Great Satans who ruled the Underworld! Even among Maou-class beings, she ranked at the very top as the strongest female Devil in existence!
"Onee-sama, if you could, please don't use too much force," Sona's familiar voice called out as she materialized beside Takeyo. "Your magic wand swings can wipe out small countries. We only need to capture them, not obliterate the landscape."
The Student Council President of Kuoh Academy and next head of the House of Sitri had arrived, her composed demeanor a stark contrast to her sister's theatrical enthusiasm.
"Since it's So-tan's request, Milky-chan will respect it~☆ You two naughty creatures who hurt people, prepare to be defeated by magical sparkles~☆"
Serafall seemed genuinely excited. Finding legitimate targets she could freely engage without political complications was surprisingly rare for someone in her position.
"Tch~! Monkey... we're retreating," Kuroka said, making a playful face at Bikou despite the serious situation.
"Got it~! After all, she's a Maou-class opponent. We have no choice but to withdraw for now~" Bikou agreed readily. "Your sister's situation will have to wait for another opportunity~!"
He really didn't want to face a Great Satan directly. Being captured and having his father beg for his release would be humiliating beyond words.
"No way~☆ If Milky-chan lets you escape, So-tan will definitely scold me~~"
Serafall's pink eyes sparkled with interest and determination. The magical girl Milky-chan would never allow evil to exist unpunished~☆
"Hey, don't say we didn't warn you, our escape experience is absolutely top-tier," Bikou boasted with a confident smile as he and Kuroka exchanged glances.
They'd caused trouble not just among the Biblical factions, but across multiple pantheons. They knew exactly how to slip away from even the most powerful pursuers.
"Start running~!" Kuroka called out.
Multiple magic circles materialized around her, complex arrays specifically designed for rapid teleportation and dimensional shifting.
However, Takeyo made no move to disperse them with his abilities.
On one hand, his current condition wasn't optimal. His spiritual power reserves had bottomed out after the extended confrontation. If Serafall hadn't arrived, he'd already planned to use Vamana's power to teleport directly to the Underworld with Koneko.
On the other hand, he genuinely didn't want Kuroka and Bikou to be captured. They served a purpose in the larger scheme of things, and their freedom actually benefited his plans.
"President, thank you for your assistance," Takeyo said sincerely as Serafall enthusiastically chased after the fleeing pair.
"Takeyo, there's no need to thank me. I actually came here today specifically to speak with you about something important," Sona replied, adjusting her glasses as her violet eyes studied him carefully.
Her gaze inevitably fell on Koneko, still clinging to Takeyo's back in her cat girl costume, her real Nekomata ears and twin tails visible.
Even if there was no alternative, this behavior is perhaps a bit too intimate, Sona thought, though she kept her expression neutral.
If Koneko weren't in such poor condition, weakened by Kuroka's poison, Sona would have definitely separated them by now.
"However, first I need to know something," Sona continued, her tone turning serious. "Takeyo, have you awakened the power of a heroic bloodline?"
She'd witnessed his abilities firsthand. Those golden weapons he'd summoned would cause at minimum serious injuries if they struck her. If Takeyo possessed such formidable power, why hadn't he revealed it before?
Had he truly only awakened these abilities today, triggered by the crisis with Kuroka and facing danger for the first time?
"Yes, that's correct," Takeyo confirmed with a nod. "Along with the awakening came memories, knowledge about the existence of Devils, gods, and various supernatural beings in this world."
This was the cover story he'd carefully constructed for his identity. There was no way he could reveal the truth about gaining powers from entities that didn't belong to this world. Such information would inevitably attract unwanted attention and covetous eyes.
Claiming to possess a heroic bloodline was perfect. It explained everything without inviting too much scrutiny.
"It might be related to that terrifying phenomenon that appeared earlier today," Takeyo added thoughtfully. "After those visions in the sky disappeared, I felt something awaken inside me, something that had been dormant."
"I see," Sona said, processing this information with her characteristic analytical approach.
The explanation was reasonable and impossible to disprove. It fit the available evidence perfectly.
"Koneko, I should send you back to Rias first," Sona said, constructing a teleportation array with practiced efficiency. "Takeyo and I have another important matter to discuss, and you need proper medical treatment for Kuroka's poison."
Originally, she'd planned to have Ajuka Beelzebub teach Takeyo the fundamentals of demonic calculation techniques, hoping to transform him into a powerful strategist even without special powers. She'd gone so far as to trade valuable favors for that opportunity.
Now that he'd awakened his own abilities, those techniques would become even more potent. After all, it would be wasteful to return what she'd already obtained from a Great Satan at this point.
"I really don't know any healing techniques," Takeyo admitted with genuine regret as he gently lowered Koneko into the glowing teleportation circle Sona had prepared.
"Senpai... see you tomorrow," Koneko murmured softly, her hazel eyes reflecting both gratitude and reluctance.
"Take care, Koneko," Takeyo replied with a warm smile.
He noticed her twin tails swishing slightly, a telltale sign that the usually stoic girl felt both anxious about their separation and reluctant to leave.
The Sitri family crest flashed with crimson light, and Koneko's small form vanished within the teleportation array.
"By the way, Takeyo, this is for you." Sona produced a transparent crystal orb, its surface gleaming with an inner light.
The object contained an enormous amount of magical knowledge, everything Ajuka Beelzebub himself had traded to her. Within it lay the simplified construction methods for magic circles, proper thought-channeling techniques for incantations, optimal circulation patterns for demonic power, and countless other insights from one of the greatest magical minds in the Underworld.
According to Ajuka's calculations, these teachings alone were sufficient for an ordinary person to reach High-Class Devil level through dedicated study. For someone with exceptional comprehension and calculation abilities, they might even achieve Maou-class power through this knowledge alone.
"This is..." Takeyo began, genuinely uncertain of the orb's contents.
The protective arrays surrounding the crystal were incredibly sophisticated, far more complex than whatever data they contained. The patterns safeguarding this information were exponentially more advanced than the information itself.
Even using Krishna's "God-Given Omniscience" in combination with his Alpha Stigma, Takeyo could only perceive fragments of the protective enchantments.
"Ah~~☆ Why did you give that thing directly to So-tan?!~~" Serafall descended from the sky, her cheeks slightly puffed in an exaggerated pout as she rubbed her face against Sona's shoulder.
"Wait, Onee-sama, you let them escape, didn't you?" Sona's expression remained deadpan as she reached up with one hand to pinch her sister's cheek.
"Ah~ They were really slippery, but... doesn't So-tan like this development? Your big sister doesn't hate it~ Rather, I actually enjoy this kind of plot twist~☆"
Even while being pinched, Serafall maintained her cheerful smile, completely unbothered by her younger sister's exasperation.