"No matter how much you apologize, my mother won't return, and the pain I've caused my father all these years won't disappear. Yes, nothing can ever truly be undone."
Akeno stared directly into Himejima Suou's eyes, her voice firm, without a trace of hesitation.
"This is purely revenge—there's no justification or righteousness in it. Right or wrong no longer matters to me. I only seek closure… nothing more."
Suou regarded Akeno deeply, a complicated gleam flickering in his eyes.
"Yes. Both of us have something we cannot compromise on. Perhaps, ever since you turned to the Devils, I should have expected this day would come. You've truly grown into an exceptional woman, Akeno."
Akeno merely smiled faintly without answering aloud.
Without Jeanne-san, I'd still be that spoiled child, hiding behind my father's indulgence, blaming others for my pain, and never truly growing up.
Gently tightening her grip on Jeanne Alter's hand, Akeno felt comforted by the reassuring warmth it provided.
Jeanne Alter met Akeno's gaze.
"You haven't forgotten what I taught you before, have you?"
"Of course not," Akeno smiled warmly. "I could never forget anything connected to you, Jeanne-san."
"Good." Jeanne Alter nodded, lips curving gently. "Then I have nothing more to worry about."
Himejima Suou was the clan's head, unmatched in strength within the family. But after Akeno's lessons under Jeanne Alter, along with her newly awakened [Holy Lightning], the gap in power was now far narrower.
Moreover, Jeanne Alter had provided an additional support, transferring a steady flow of mana from the Holy Grails to Akeno, vastly increasing the potency of her magic.
Feeling Akeno's now overwhelming presence, Suou felt a surge of anxiety, but even more unsettling was the calm, mysterious woman standing silently beside her.
He finally understood: Akeno's confidence wasn't due to her own strength alone, but because of the woman he had overlooked. Only now did he realize Akeno was no longer that powerless child whom his clan had hunted relentlessly. She truly had earned the right to seek vengeance.
"Akeno, I acknowledge my wrongdoings. I have no right to ask your forgiveness, but the Himejima clan itself is innocent. Suzaku is innocent. I alone gave the order to hunt you down, causing your mother's death. Let me bear the full burden of this sin. I beg you… spare the rest of the family."
From start to finish, Suou's priority had always been the clan. Facing Akeno and Jeanne Alter, he decisively admitted his crimes, sacrificing himself for the sake of his clan.
Akeno didn't answer immediately, instead turning uncertainly toward Jeanne Alter, who merely raised an eyebrow in response.
"What? This is your path of vengeance. Don't tell me you're expecting me to make this decision for you. Just follow your heart."
My heart…
Akeno pressed a hand to her chest, silently asking herself: What exactly is my heart's wish?
After a moment, clarity returned to her eyes. Facing Suou resolutely, she announced her decision.
"Very well. I won't touch anyone innocent, but those who chased and hunted me down back then—I'll let none of them escape."
Regardless, this was still her mother's family. They all shared the name Himejima.
Those directly responsible for Shuri's death had already been slain by Barakiel, but those who hunted Akeno afterwards—while many had also been eliminated—still had survivors, including Suou himself.
Hearing Akeno's promise, Suou let out a relieved sigh.
"Good. Then let this old man see how much you've grown!"
His eyes flashed with determination as powerful energy surged forth from his body. Suzaku, watching anxiously, immediately cried out.
"No, you mustn't, Clan Head!"
Suzaku revered Suou but cherished Akeno dearly. She couldn't bear either coming to harm.
"Suzaku! You're forbidden from intervening! If you do, you'll face the clan's punishment!"
Suou's command was firm, brooking no argument. It mattered little if he perished, but Suzaku must remain unharmed. She was the clan's greatest talent and its future leader.
"Remember your responsibilities as the future head, Suzaku. Even if I fall by Akeno's hands, you must never seek revenge. Focus solely on leading the clan forward. Understood?"
Suzaku bit her lip hard, fighting back anguish, and eventually nodded slowly.
"Yes… I understand, Clan Head."
A flicker of pride passed through Suou's eyes as he faced Akeno.
Seeing her face, so reminiscent of Shuri's, momentarily stunned him, but he quickly regained focus.
"Come, Akeno! Show me your strength!"
Akeno gave a firm nod. Terrifying lightning gathered in her palm, erupting forth with a thunderous roar, intent on annihilating all enemies before her.
Though Suou lacked Suzaku's contract with the sacred beast Suzaku, his raw strength still surpassed hers. Powerful divine techniques flowed effortlessly from his fingertips. While he wasn't near Maou-class, he rivaled many top-class Devils.
Even with Jeanne Alter's training, Akeno was barely at the threshold of a top-class Devil, lacking Suou's extensive combat experience and versatile techniques. If not for Jeanne Alter, Akeno's defeat would've been certain.
But that "if" didn't exist.
"Fall! [Holy Lightning]!"
Radiant gold erupted as power capable of shaking even Maou-class beings condensed into an enormous magic circle. A colossal lightning dragon roared forth, painting the skies golden as it descended furiously.
Facing this immense power, despair flashed across Suou's heart. He desperately planted his staff, invoking numerous defensive spells. Yet, it was futile.
The dragon slammed down mercilessly, crushing his defenses, snapping his staff, and sending him flying, blood streaming through the air.
"One final strike!"
Spears of golden lightning materialized above Akeno. With a deafening roar, they shot down, piercing straight through Suou's chest.
"Clan Head!"
Witnessing Suou's devastating injury, Suzaku disregarded all warnings, rushing forward desperately. Yet, in truth, the battle was already over. Even if no one interfered, Suou wouldn't survive much longer.
Watching Suzaku mournfully hold Suou, Akeno's expression grew complicated. After a long pause, she released the lightning from her hand.
"Let's go, Jeanne-san."
"You won't finish him?" Jeanne Alter asked calmly, unreadable.
"…It's fine," Akeno replied quietly. "Even if I leave him now, he won't last long… Let them have their final moments."
Akeno's gaze dropped to the ground, afraid to meet Jeanne Alter's eyes, conflicted about sparing her enemy.
Jeanne Alter easily sensed her hesitation and smiled softly.
"What's troubling you? Didn't I tell you? Whatever your heart decides, I will support."
Akeno's eyes widened slightly, searching Jeanne's face uncertainly, wondering if she was truly sincere.
"I wouldn't lie to you," Jeanne Alter said gently, pinching Akeno's cheek affectionately. Though outwardly mature, Akeno was still that lonely child longing for love.
Such a simple gesture immediately eased Akeno's heart, her lips curling happily.
---
Suou's vision blurred, memories flickering rapidly—his final thoughts rushing past.
Was I truly mistaken…?
"Clan Head… Clan Head!"
Suzaku's urgent calls roused him briefly, clarity returning momentarily, his pain strangely absent—perhaps a fleeting illusion before death.
"Suzaku…"
"Clan Head!" Relief flooded Suzaku's voice. "Let me heal you immed—"
"No… don't interrupt, Suzaku. Listen carefully to my final words."
Realizing this was farewell, Suzaku's eyes widened in anguish. Fighting back tears, she nodded solemnly.
Suou felt immense pride. Even without him, Suzaku's strength assured the clan's future.
"Though sooner than expected, the clan is yours now, Suzaku. I believe in you. You will lead the Himejima Clan to new heights."
"Since childhood, your talent and compassion were extraordinary. Only you accepted family members the clan rejected… Perhaps you were always right. My obsession with reputation brought only suffering and ruin."
"Follow your own path now, Suzaku. It'll be challenging, but I know you can do it. You are our clan's future."
At death's doorstep, Suou finally recognized his mistakes, hoping Suzaku would atone for the wrongs he committed.
---
Having left the crumbling gates of the Himejima estate behind, Jeanne Alter and Akeno walked hand-in-hand, no longer concerned with the clan's internal turmoil.
"Jeanne-san… You're really not disappointed by my decision?" Akeno timidly asked, following closely.
Jeanne Alter didn't answer directly, instead posing a question of her own:
"Then let me ask you: does hatred still linger in your heart?"
After a prolonged silence, Akeno pressed a hand against her heart, sincerely confronting her emotions.
"…Yes. Hatred still remains, but I'm no longer bound by the past. I wish to move forward, for your sake, for my beloved parents… and for myself."
These were her honest feelings, free from deceit or reluctance.
Seeing Akeno's peaceful, unburdened smile, Jeanne Alter nodded approvingly.
"Then, allow me to answer your earlier question: I'm glad you made that choice."
"The flames born from hatred are terrifying. Though they grant strength and drive, without sufficient resolve, they will consume everything—enemies, innocents, loved ones, even yourself."
"I once promised to show you what lies beyond vengeance's shore. Now, let me tell you: there's nothing there. All Avengers eventually share the same fate—burning away, leaving behind only cold ashes. Therefore, you must cross it, step beyond that shore, leaving hatred behind forever. Only then can you awaken from dark nightmares and continue forward… toward a tomorrow blessed by the stars."