She was slightly stunned, but quickly regained her composure.
After listening to Sebastian’s words, she absorbed the Queen piece into her body.
Only after the connection between the Peerage was established did she speak.
“Then, the promise you made has been fulfilled.”
Grayfia’s words made Sebastian pause.
The maid, who was usually as cold as ice, revealed a gentle smile and continued.
“Because from the first time I met you until now, I, Grayfia Lucifuge, have never felt a shred of regret in my heart.
Not now, and not in the future.”
Hearing these words, Sebastian was glad he was wearing his iron mask; otherwise, Grayfia would have seen his face flushing red.
Sebastian nodded slightly.
“It is like this now, and it will be like this in the future.”
With his Queen piece officially returned to its place, Sebastian felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
Just then, Tokiomi Amagiri arrived.
His timing was perfect.
He bowed respectfully, his tone perfectly measured.
“Lord Sebastian, Lady Grayfia, thank you both for saving me.
I came to report because I thought you might be worried about the whereabouts of Kotomine Kirei.
I have gathered some clues.”
Tokiomi was thorough in his etiquette and spoke flawlessly.
Most importantly, he brought valuable intelligence.
Sebastian looked at him closely.
Although Tokiomi could not sign in, he handled matters efficiently.
“Please, take a look.”
Tokiomi took a gemstone from his pocket and placed it gently on the table.
The gemstone lit up, projecting a miniature map of Fuyuki City.
The most eye-catching detail was a bright red dot in the sewer system.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow.
“This is where Kotomine Kirei is hiding?
I didn’t expect you to mark him with a spell under those circumstances.
Not bad.”
“A trivial trick.
I am unworthy of such praise.” Tokiomi remained humble, offering the intelligence without making any immediate demands.
Sebastian smiled.
“Alright, no need to be modest.
You helped me, and I will remember it.
After this Holy Grail War ends, I have tasks for you.
Rest assured, it will benefit the Amagiri family.”
“Thank you for your grace.”
Tokiomi wisely did not press for details.
He knew that many human mages signed contracts with Devils—some sought power, while others sought forbidden magical knowledge.
As long as it was not a trap, a contract with a High-Class Devil offered massive advantages.
He had originally pinned the future of the Amagiri family on the next generation.
Sakura Amagiri, who was sent away, was meant to become a powerful mage, while Rin Amagiri had the potential to reach the Root.
He believed his daughters would eventually understand his choices.
However, unexpected complications arose with both Sakura and Rin.
Now, fate was giving him another chance.
If he secured a stable contract with Sebastian, the Amagiri family could reclaim its former glory within his generation.
With these thoughts in mind, Tokiomi bowed and left with Rin.
Sebastian watched them leave.
He rested his chin on his crossed hands, staring intently at the red dot projected over the map.
“Grayfia.”
Before Sebastian could even finish his sentence, a surge of magic exploded behind him.
The magic circle of the Lucifuge family glowed brightly, and Grayfia vanished.
Less than thirty seconds later, the blue magic circle flashed again.
Grayfia returned, dragging a man by his collar: Kotomine Kirei.
Grayfia acted as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
Her expression remained cold, her voice devoid of emotion.
“Lord Sebastian, I have eliminated his Assassin, and Kotomine Kirei has been captured.
Do you need me to extract his memories using magic?”
“Go ahead.”
Kotomine Kirei’s memories contained the details of how Sebastian had manipulated him, but Sebastian had nothing to hide.
Furthermore, watching Kirei’s memories would only prove that the man was a natural monster—Sebastian had merely pushed him in the direction he was already heading.
Grayfia pressed her hand onto Kirei’s head.
Her magic invaded his soul, extracting every memory.
Overwhelmed by the magic, Kirei’s soul shattered, removing him from the board entirely.
Sebastian drew Yamato and tapped the blade against the back of Kirei’s hand.
The number of Command Spells in Sebastian’s possession jumped from thirty-nine to forty-five, combining Kirei’s three original spells with the three he had stolen from Tokiomi.
Sebastian was not collecting them to control Artoria—he had far greater plans for that power.
After organizing the extracted memories, Grayfia spoke again.
“Lord Sebastian, I discovered two important details in his memories.”
“Two things?”
Grayfia nodded.
“First, the recent movements from Heaven were organized by him, and I can roughly guess their next move.
Second, this man has a daughter.”
“A daughter?” Sebastian was surprised, but quickly realized who she meant.
“Karem?
The Saint of the Magdalene?”
She was born with the natural ability to perceive Devils and possessed the Shroud of the Saint to bind spiritual entities.
Sebastian knew of her, but he questioned her relevance.
“What about his daughter?”
“Lord Sebastian, wouldn’t a Saint who can sense Devils be useful to our faction?”
Sebastian pondered the idea.
It made sense, but securing a Saint under the watch of Heaven was complicated.
Even if Michael could not fully control the Church, he would never allow the Holy Church to fall entirely into the hands of Devils.
Besides, mentioning a Saint reminded Sebastian of another figure from the Underworld.
“Don’t worry about the Saint for now,” Sebastian instructed.
“Instead, keep an eye on a Devil named Diodora Astaroth.
You might find more useful information through him.”
“Understood.” Grayfia nodded and returned to the main issue.
“Kotomine Kirei reported the destruction of the Fuyuki City church to the higher-ups.
He claimed multiple High-Class Devils were active in the area and responsible for the damage.
Heaven created a distraction to keep the Underworld focused elsewhere.
In reality, the Church is preparing to send a strike team led by Holy Sword Wielders to clear out the Devils in Fuyuki City.”
“Oh?”
With his knowledge of the world, Sebastian saw through the Angels’ strategy immediately.
The Angels feared another conflict that could reignite the Great Three-Way War between Devils, Angels, and Fallen Angels.
They were using a surgical strike to remove potential threats under a smokescreen.
“This smokescreen conveniently hides our actions in Fuyuki,” Sebastian said.
“All that remains is to deal with the squad sent by the Church.”
Grayfia looked concerned.
“If we wipe out that unit directly, news of our presence in Fuyuki will leak.
Won’t that disrupt your plans?”
Sebastian waved his hand dismissively.
“It doesn’t matter.
We won’t need to lift a finger against them.”
Grayfia was stunned for a moment, but choosing to trust his judgment, she did not pry further.
“Grayfia, dispose of Kirei’s body.
I have preparations to make.”
“Yes, my Lord.” Grayfia grabbed Kirei and departed.
Sebastian let out a soft breath.
He snapped his fingers, and a pitch-black magic circle appeared in his palm—a direct communication line left by Rizevim Livan Lucifer.
A moment later, the connection established.
“Sebastian, if you are bothering me with something trivial, you had better pray for a quick death,” Rizevim’s harsh voice echoed through the magic circle, carrying the crushing pressure of a Super Devil.
Sebastian merely smiled.
Out of Rizevim’s sight, his grin widened.
I am only afraid you aren’t strong enough.
If you aren’t strong, where is the fun in dragging you into despair?
Rizevim had to die—not by the hands of Vali Lucifer, Fafnir, or Sirzechs Lucifer, but by Sebastian’s own hands.
However, the time was not yet right.
“How could I disturb you without a good reason?” Sebastian replied smoothly.
“If I am not mistaken, you are currently playing cat and mouse with the unit Sirzechs sent after you, aren’t you?”
“Hmm.” Rizevim’s tone grew cold with impatience.
Sebastian continued with a slight chuckle.
“We are Devils, but when dealing with our own kind, raw Devil power isn’t always the most efficient tool.
Tell me…
do you want a Holy Sword?”
Rizevim paused, his eyes narrowing.
“If I can get my hands on them, of course.
But the Holy Swords are held by Heaven, and their Holy Sword Wielders rarely deploy alone anymore.
There are no openings.
Sebastian, if you are wasting my time with useless fantasies, your life ends today.”
“I am not wasting your time,” Sebastian said, letting a faint hint of urgency enter his voice.
“I received reliable intelligence.
The recent movements from Heaven are a cover for a secret unit of Holy Sword Wielders.
The Angels, Devils, and Fallen Angels are terrified of starting another full-scale war, which makes them reckless.
Flaws are appearing.
What do you think?”
Silence fell over the communication line as Rizevim processed the information.
Ambush a isolated unit and capture several Holy Swords without Heaven noticing?
It was a massive advantage, especially for future clashes against Sirzechs.
I didn’t expect this brat to actually be useful, Rizevim thought, a dark smile spreading across his face.
On the other end, Sebastian maintained his act of helpful subordination.
“Fine, you don’t need to worry about this matter,” Rizevim scoffed.
“Just focus on being a useful mole.
When I return to the Underworld, if you still have value, perhaps I will grant you real power.”