The flame missed its target and ignited the surrounding grass and trees.
However, under Shinki’s deliberate control, the fire gradually died out.
Looking at the monster that had been reduced to ashes, he let out a long sigh.
“Who are you people?” The girl who had appeared without anyone noticing stepped forward confidently and cast a stern gaze toward them.
Young, yet elegant.
The figure that entered Shinki’s sight was a girl with deep crimson hair that curled slightly at the ends and sapphire-blue eyes.
Compared to the disgusting monsters, the girl before him could easily be mistaken for an angel descended to the mortal world.
Her appearance was breathtaking.
Beautiful was the perfect word to describe her.
The early parts of High School DxD hadn’t gone into great detail, but after examining her carefully, Shinki found that she perfectly matched the Rias in his memories.
There was just one small difference.
She was much smaller than he expected.
So much so that he almost didn’t recognize her.
And yes…
small in every sense of the word.
Standing quietly beside her was a middle-aged man in a suit, radiating a powerful aura.
“Who are you?” Thinking Shinki hadn’t heard her, Rias asked again.
“As you can see, we’re simply exterminating monsters.” Suppressing his annoyance at having his kill stolen, Shinki explained calmly.
“Exterminating monsters?
That’s unnecessary.
Any Stray Devils within my territory are my responsibility.” Rias stared at him.
As the ruler of this territory, it was her duty to eliminate any Stray Devils that appeared.
In truth, devils were much like the humans of the Five Great Clans.
They were highly wary of outside forces.
Much of that attitude stemmed from the Three-Way War of the past.
Shinki shrugged.
“How about introductions first?
My name is Himejima Shinki.
At the moment, I’m considered a traitor to the Himejima family, and I’m protecting that mother and daughter.” “Rias Gremory, heir to the pure-blood devil House of Gremory in the Underworld!” The girl’s declaration was full of confidence.
Considering her age, her spirited personality, and the fact that she had grown up as a princess without many close friends, a bit of pride was only natural.
“You said you’re a traitor?” “Personally, I don’t think so.
Unfortunately, someone else decided to label me that way.” Shinki spread his hands helplessly.
“After being attacked by those people earlier, the Stray Devils appeared as well.” “I see.” Rias observed carefully and discovered that both Shuri and Akeno carried the scent of humans.
“But why?” “For a variety of reasons.
Though I can assure you we haven’t done anything evil.
There are still plenty of stubborn old conservatives around these days.” “Just like those old fossils in the Underworld.” Rias nodded sympathetically.
“Lady Rias.” The middle-aged man beside her spoke in reminder.
“Ahem…” Rias cleared her throat.
Just as she was about to continue, her gaze suddenly shifted toward a section of the forest.
“Who’s there?” At the same moment, Shinki looked in the same direction.
Another group had arrived.
This time, however, the leader looked far more familiar.
As the figure approached, his identity became obvious.
It was Himejima Suzaku—the current head of the Himejima family.
The old man hadn’t hidden in the rear after all.
“And who are you?” Rias frowned in displeasure.
Outsiders had appeared in her territory again and again tonight.
She was beginning to wonder whether a war was about to break out.
“Himejima Suzaku, current head of the Himejima family.” With a dark expression, Suzaku bowed respectfully toward Rias.
“That mother and daughter, along with this young man, are traitors to the Himejima family.
I ask that Lady Rias show mercy and refrain from interfering in our family’s affairs.” The dozen or so men sent earlier had merely been a test.
The true operation had always involved him personally leading the final capture.
Unfortunately, the appearance of the Stray Devils and Rias had completely disrupted his plans, forcing him to reveal himself.
Devils from the Underworld.
A troublesome force indeed.
Though the main family viewed devils as heretical beings, their influence was enormous.
They were not enemies to be offended lightly.
Rias rolled her eyes.
She was originally inclined to agree and stay out of human matters.
However, her gaze inadvertently met Akeno’s pitiful expression.
“…” A moment later, the young lady of House Gremory pointed directly at Akeno.
“That girl.
I want her.” A strange expression appeared on Shinki’s face.
Was this what they called love at first sight?
“This matter has nothing to do with devils.
Himejima Akeno is a member of the Himejima family and should be punished according to our clan’s laws.” Suzaku clearly hadn’t expected things to develop this way.
“You entered my territory without permission.
According to the rules, I have every right to treat you as enemies.” The moment Rias finished speaking, the atmosphere became heavy.
At the same time, the man beside her remained silent, yet his aura steadily expanded.
At the very least, he possessed the strength of a High-Class Devil.
After all, he was one of her father’s Bishop pieces.
Suzaku’s expression darkened.
For the first time, he found himself trapped in a difficult position.
Rias, however, paid him no mind.
She looked toward Akeno and asked, “Your name is Akeno, right?
What is your wish?” Akeno was somewhat afraid of the devil before her.
But remembering what Shinki had told her earlier, she gathered her courage.
“I want to live together with my mother…
and Shinki-kun.” The moment those words left her lips, Rias smiled.
“In that case, I’ll save your life.
From now on, you shall live as a devil.” As soon as Rias finished speaking, a familiar notification sounded in Shinki’s mind.
Mission Complete.
The Second Gate will open in ten minutes.
Reward calculation in progress.