As they approached the Himejima Clan's estate, Akeno hesitated slightly.
"Jeanne-san… must we really go through with this?"
"Of course!" Jeanne Alter replied firmly. "You directed all your hatred toward your own father, yet now, when facing your true enemy, you start to waver?"
Jeanne Alter watched Akeno's conflicted expression with slight disbelief.
Humans could truly be illogical sometimes. They would meekly endure slander or unfair treatment from outsiders, yet at home, they'd selfishly vent frustrations onto those closest to them, taking advantage of their family's patience and love. Even knowing how unfair this was, they still couldn't stop themselves.
Gripping Akeno's hand firmly, Jeanne Alter spoke resolutely, eyes locked onto Akeno's hesitant gaze.
"If you truly can't bring yourself to do it, then I'll act instead. But they must pay for what they did… and I mean every single one of the Himejima Clan."
"No!" Akeno shook her head frantically. "Some of them are innocent… We can't harm the innocent."
"Then it's up to you," Jeanne Alter said sternly. "My flames burn with indiscriminate hatred, consuming enemies and innocents alike. If you don't wish to witness such a sight, then you must decide who lives and who dies."
Jeanne Alter knew Akeno was still hesitating, so she pushed harder.
To be honest, matters weren't entirely black-and-white. The real fault lay with the twisted teachings passed down within the Himejima Clan, similar to Abe Kiyome's situation. They believed Fallen Angels and Devils to be vile, filthy creatures. Initially, the Himejima Clan had attacked Akeno's family believing Shuri had been brainwashed by Barakiel. Those who leaked their location to enemy factions were rogue exorcists, who were eventually dealt with by Barakiel himself. Strictly speaking, the Himejima Clan's initial intentions weren't outright malicious.
But that wasn't the full story.
After Shuri's death, Jeanne Alter had learned, the Himejima Clan continued to hunt down young Akeno relentlessly. Without Barakiel secretly protecting her, Akeno would've perished long before meeting Rias.
Just for that, Jeanne Alter's determination to exact revenge solidified. This debt had to be repaid in blood.
The Himejima Clan was one of the Five Principal Clans among Japan's prestigious exorcist families, along with Kushihashi, Doumon, Shinra, and Nakiri. Each Clan held power related to the Four Sacred Beasts and the Yellow Dragon. Shinra Tsubaki, Sona Sitri's Queen, hailed from the Shinra Clan.
Barakiel had also inadvertently mentioned a powerful Longinus wielder affiliated with the Himejima Clan.
At the entrance to the Himejima main residence, two guards spotted Jeanne Alter and Akeno approaching.
Though she'd come for revenge, Jeanne Alter had deliberately concealed her oppressive aura. After all, even without drawing the Savior Blade, she possessed Maou-class strength, and the mana of five Holy Grails made her a match even for "Top Ten" beings. Had she released her presence, everyone within the residence would've instantly collapsed.
Thus, to the two guards, Jeanne Alter seemed completely harmless.
"Halt!"
"Who goes there? State your business!"
Ignoring their warnings, sparks of flame drifted from Jeanne Alter's form, the air rapidly growing hotter, stirring winds that carried embers into the sky. With icy eyes, she turned toward Akeno.
"This is your final chance to decide, Akeno… Will you act, or shall I?"
Honestly, Akeno was still afraid.
The trauma of her mother's death, the endless nights of terror while being hunted… just the faintest memory made it hard to breathe.
Yet now, standing before the Himejima residence itself, she realized the fear and tension were ebbing like a receding tide.
Warmth spread from Jeanne Alter's hand clasping hers, giving Akeno the comfort and courage she'd desperately needed.
She placed a hand over her heart, feeling its rhythm gradually calm down. The corners of her lips curled upward into a smile. Unlike her usual seductive expression, this smile was pure and innocent—astonishingly beautiful.
"Thank you, Jeanne-san," Akeno murmured softly.
Thank you for giving me the courage to move forward.
With newfound confidence, Akeno stepped forward decisively.
"I shall personally bring an end to this sad cycle of cause and effect."
She raised her hand, conjuring golden lightning—not ordinary lightning, but lightning imbued with holy light. Having accepted her Fallen Angel blood, Akeno now integrated that holy element into her lightning magic, creating "Holy Lightning."
Two golden lightning beasts roared forth, swiftly knocking the two guards unconscious with a single strike.
This was just the first step toward severing her painful past.
After passing through, they encountered a formidable barrier blocking their path. Naturally, the Himejima Clan's main estate would be protected.
"Allow me," Jeanne Alter said confidently.
Under Akeno's gaze, Jeanne Alter placed a single hand upon the barrier wall. From her touch, purple-black flames swiftly spread, burning through the barrier as though it were mere dry grass. Within seconds, the protective barrier of the prestigious Himejima Clan had vanished entirely.
Together, hand-in-hand, the two stepped calmly inside.
Unlike their composed entry, the entire Himejima Clan erupted into panic.
"The barrier is gone!"
"Who dares invade the Himejima Clan?!"
"Quick, gather reinforcements!"
Dozens of exorcists quickly assembled around Jeanne Alter and Akeno, suspicion and hostility radiating from their gazes.
"Who are you?"
"Over here! The intruders are here!"
The crowd grew quickly, encircling them, glaring angrily.
One older woman suddenly recognized Akeno's face, eyes widening in shock.
"You're… Shuri? No, you're Shuri's daughter?"
Realization rippled through the crowd.
"The daughter of Shuri Himejima? That child tainted by Fallen Angel blood?"
"Wasn't she supposed to have been eliminated?"
"Damned Fallen Angel brat, is this revenge?"
Insults and scornful glances surrounded them, yet, strangely, Akeno remained completely calm—almost eerily so.
Simply by having someone standing beside her, she found herself completely at peace.
Glancing gently at Jeanne Alter, who silently stood at her side, she was met with an encouraging nod and a warm smile.
"Do what you must. If it's something your heart believes is right, I'll stand by you."
Akeno stared, momentarily captivated.
She could never have imagined her heart racing from another girl's smile, yet here she was.
Returning an equally dazzling smile, Akeno whispered softly:
"Please… watch over me carefully."
As long as those beautiful eyes reflect me, I'll possess boundless courage and strength.
Yes… as long as Jeanne-san is by my side, I can do anything.
Turning back to face the crowd, her timid hesitation vanished, replaced entirely by unshakable resolve.
"Come forth, [Holy Lightning]!"
Having completely embraced her Fallen Angel heritage, Akeno's power surged dramatically. Golden lightning rained down mercilessly, incapacitating dozens of exorcists instantly, leaving scorched earth and fallen bodies in her wake.
When Himejima Suzaku arrived, she saw only charred craters and unconscious clansmen. Her eyes landed on the intruders, breath catching sharply.
"Akeno…? Is that really you, Akeno?"
Suzaku didn't recognize Jeanne Alter, but she knew Akeno well.
Akeno likewise recognized Suzaku and, after a moment's hesitation, politely bowed her head.
"It's been a long time, Suzaku-nee-sama."
Suzaku was the Himejima Clan's true prodigy and heir, having inherited the name of "Suzaku"—Akeno's cousin and once her only family member who'd shown kindness.
Because Suzaku had treated her kindly, Akeno's expression was complicated. She could hate the Himejima Clan, but she couldn't hate Suzaku.
Suzaku glanced curiously at Jeanne Alter and the way Akeno continued holding her hand, but quickly set that aside after noticing the fallen clan members. With complicated eyes, she asked:
"You're here to take revenge for what happened back then?"
She immediately understood Akeno's motive.
"Step aside, Suzaku-nee-sama. You're the only one… I don't want to fight."
"Akeno, father has regretted his actions. Couldn't you forgive—"
"No," Akeno interrupted gently yet firmly. "I'm deeply grateful for your kindness. If it were anything else, I'd agree. But not this… I must settle this hatred to move forward."
Suzaku felt her heart clench painfully. Though related by blood, circumstances forced them into conflict. But as the future head, Suzaku had no choice but to protect her clan. She couldn't back down.
Tension thickened, almost tangible.
Then a calm, elderly voice broke the silence:
"Suzaku, stand aside. They came for me—so let me handle this."
An elderly man appeared, holding a staff.
"Clan Head!" Suzaku hesitated briefly but obeyed.
Himejima Suou, current leader of the clan, surveyed his fallen people, eyes narrowing briefly before turning to Akeno.
"Akeno, you've grown so much… Shuri would be pleased to see you."
"Perhaps. But my mother is already dead… because of you."
Akeno's voice was icy cold.
Suou sighed, eyes filled with regret. "I never intended your mother's death…"
Indeed, his goal had only been to eliminate Barakiel and Akeno, not Shuri, though circumstances tragically spiraled out of control.