Chapter 127: The Plan (Part 1)
"You broke through? So quickly?"
After a moment of surprise, Yuuma quickly composed herself.
Back in that strange space, Haruto's aura had once made her think he had succeeded in breaking through. Now, after more than half a month, it didn't seem strange that Haruto had successfully reached S-rank.
"Yes, my martial arts broke through, but my magical power is still lacking."
Upon reaching S-rank, Haruto finally understood the difference between magical power and martial arts. Unlike magicians, the root of magical power, as Rias and the others described, lies in imagination—a path of overwhelming force over finesse.
Both the path of the Root and the path of immortality rely on and transcend the heavens and the earth. Every breakthrough brings a fundamental change in one's life essence.
However, so-called high-class devils, and even Maou, could still be stabbed to death by an ordinary person with a knife.
Well, that is, if they neither defended nor resisted...
But Haruto had no such weakness. With his current physical constitution, ordinary blades could no longer pierce his defense, though he was still somewhat inferior compared to magical weapons.
This was one of the key reasons Haruto wanted to obtain the Boosted Gear.
Engaging in physical combat against others' weapons, even with his sturdiest wings and tail, still put him at a slight disadvantage.
If he could obtain the Boosted Gear, preferably mastering its full-body armor form, even without any other enhancements, it would greatly amplify his combat strength.
As for the path of the Root, Haruto decisively abandoned it. He couldn't even grasp the straightforward and brutal magical power, let alone the more profound arts of magic.
He wasn't that greedy. Being able to continuously improve his magical power through dual cultivation was already quite good, and this method of cultivation had considerable potential.
However, compared to the other two paths, it placed much higher demands on talent and bloodline.
One could say that talent determines the upper limit, which is likely why bloodline is so highly valued in this world.
Fortunately, Haruto didn't need to worry about this. As long as there were powerful women, he wouldn't have to fear his aptitude falling behind.
"Mmm..." Yuuma let out a soft moan, savoring the pleasure of the dragon filling her body.
Her back arched against the sheets, a shiver wracking her frame as she felt him sink to the hilt, the stretch a perfect, familiar burn. "H-Haruto...!"
After adjusting for a moment, she asked, "But S-rank is the peak of martial arts. Do you really want to be stuck at S-rank forever?"
The words were a struggle to form, her mind clouding with each deliberate, slow roll of his hips that rubbed against her most sensitive spot.
"That's why I'm working hard to cultivate magical energy right now."
Haruto thrust his hips forcefully, drawing a startled gasp from Yuuma.
The sudden, deep impact stole her breath, a sharp cry tearing from her throat as her nails dug into his shoulders. Her thoughts shattered completely, the philosophical debate about martial arts peaks vanishing under a wave of raw, physical sensation.
She could no longer continue her questioning, forced to focus on enduring the long-missed pleasure.
It was too much. Her legs tightened around his waist, pulling him deeper, her body betraying her attempts at composure. Every nerve was alight, singing a hymn of desperate, aching need.
Haruto had no intention of explaining about the path of immortality. Not only was everything still uncertain—merely a hypothesis—but even if he successfully stepped onto the immortal path in the future, he would keep it as a hidden card.
S-rank strength was completely sufficient for now. Even if the Phoenix family wanted to advance Rias's marriage, this level of power would be enough to win the Rating Game.
On the other hand, Haruto firmly believed that dual cultivation was the foundation. Whether it was suppressing the Cuckold Protagonist Template, successfully cultivating magical energy, or even reaching martial arts mastery, everything was tied to his dual cultivation ability.
Therefore, he planned to continue with his original plan.
A plan that felt incredibly, viscerally correct as he watched Yuuma come apart beneath him, her Fallen Angel pride melting into pure, unadulterated ecstasy.
She mewled, the heat inside her coiling tighter, a spring ready to snap. "It's... it's burning me up from the inside...!"
After filling Yuuma with S-rank essence, Haruto picked up the impatient tsundere loli and began a new round of cultivation.
Mittelt let out a triumphant, greedy little sound as he sheathed himself inside her, her smaller body fitting against his in a different, yet equally perfect, way.
Kalawarna pressed against Haruto's back, her full, soft breasts molding to his skin as she helped to accelerate the cultivation process so she could have her turn sooner.
Her hands roamed his chest and back, her hot breath ghosting over his neck. "Don't take too long with the brat, Master," she purred, nipping at his ear. "I'm feeling... very neglected."
While thrusting his dragon into the tight valley, he asked about the 'dangerous Sacred Gear'.
Each powerful thrust into Mittelt's clinging depths punctuated his question, making her gasp and writhe, her ability to think flickering in and out.
"Yuuma-chan, Mittelt said your new mission is related to that dangerous Sacred Gear..."
Yuuma touched her swollen lower abdomen and immediately understood Haruto's intention.
Her fingers traced the slight, warm bulge, a visceral reminder of the potent seed he had just planted deep within her. The connection was undeniable.
"You want that Sacred Gear?"
"Mm, as expected of Yuuma-chan, you guessed it right away."
Yuuma's expression turned cold. "Since the higher-ups said it's dangerous, why would I give it to you, a hostile devil?"
But the coldness in her voice was betrayed by the way her thighs slickly rubbed together, her body still humming from his possession.
Haruto wasn't concerned. If they really turned hostile, with his current strength, subduing Yuuma by force wouldn't be difficult.
The thought was a dark, possessive thrill. Pinning the proud Fallen Angel down and taking what he wanted, her struggles fading into moans... He pushed the tempting image aside, for now.
"Yuuma-chan, why don't you join us instead? Fallen Angels can be reincarnated as devils too."
Yuuma instinctively wanted to refuse, but feeling the warmth in her belly and seeing Mittelt and Kalawarna entangled with Haruto, she remained silent for a long time.
The sight was debauched. Mittelt, bouncing on his lap with unrestrained glee, and Kalawarna lavishing attention on his body. It should have repulsed her. Instead, a treacherous heat pooled in her core, a longing to be part of that tangled, pleasure-drunk heap.
Haruto grunted softly. After a moment, he put down Mittelt whose eyes had rolled back, and as the blue-haired mature woman rode him, he continued, "Yuuma, I'm serious. Not just you, but Mittelt and Warna can join too.
Kalawarna let out a throaty moan as she impaled herself on him, taking him so deep her body jolted. "Yes... join us, Yuuma," she gasped, riding him with slow, grinding circles of her hips. "There's more than enough of him... for all of us..."
Yuuma became even more shaken. Remembering everything that happened after returning this time, she almost couldn't help but agree immediately.
The memory of his weight on her, his taste, his scent, the feeling of being utterly full and claimed—it was a siren's call, louder than any sense of duty.
After a long silence, she finally sighed and refused, "No, if we join the devil faction, it would be considered desertion. We'd drag you down with us, facing pursuit from the Fallen Angels."
It was the last, feeble defense of her crumbling resolve, a wall of logic built on sand as the tide of her desire rose to sweep it away.
'You guys didn't even make the Fallen Angels budge when Rias killed you, let alone if you become Servants of the Gremory family. And once the three factions meeting concludes, this won't even be an issue anymore.'
Haruto muttered to himself internally, then showed a bright smile. "Don't worry about that. I have a plan. Hear me out before you decide."
He punctuated his promise with a sharp, upward thrust that made Kalawarna cry out, her body seizing around him. It was a potent demonstration of the power and security he offered—a power that felt far more real and immediate than any distant Fallen Angel command.
...
After hearing his plan, Yuuma was indeed tempted and revealed all the information about the 'dangerous Sacred Gear'.
Actually, she didn't know much herself. Azazel's mission for her was to monitor Issei Hyoudou. As for what Sacred Gear was hosted, when it would manifest—none of that had been explained to her.
"Talk about being completely disregarded... I'm just a tool, aren't I?"
After hearing everything, Haruto couldn't help but mutter this complaint. As a result, Yuuma's face darkened, and after extracting his essence, she kicked him out.
Standing outside the grand cathedral, Haruto sighed, "It seems some truths really shouldn't be spoken aloud."
Though he'd been thrown out, his mood was surprisingly good.
The information from Yuuma was practically useless, but for him, confirming that the Sacred Gear resided within Issei Hyoudou was equivalent to confirming that the 'dangerous Sacred Gear' referred to the Longinus, Boosted Gear.
Thus, the plan to seize the Sacred Gear could now begin.
Before that, he needed to inform Rias.
It would be best to prepare resurrection methods. After all, they were targeting a student of Kuoh Academy; they couldn't go too far.
Additionally, while Haruto's power had reached S-class, his status hadn't been officially recognized, so naturally, he couldn't be granted Evil Pieces.
Therefore, if the plan succeeded, he would also need to ask Rias to handle the reincarnation for Yuuma and the other two.
Three days later, under the light of the full moon, Issei Hyoudou was tied to a bizarre cross, writhing in panic as he struggled against the chains.
"Haruto and Toujou... and President Rias and President Himejima..."
He had been sound asleep at home when he suddenly felt cold. Opening his eyes, he found himself bound. If not for the familiar faces before him, he probably wouldn't even be able to speak coherently.
"President, it might be better to put him to sleep."
Haruto ignored Issei's call. Regardless of the outcome later, this memory would remain clear, so there was no need to waste time.
Rias nodded, a small magic circle appearing in her slender palm. The newly awakened Issei immediately fell back into slumber.
As the midnight bell tolled, Haruto glanced at the sky. "It's time. We can begin the ritual."
At that moment, three dark figures appeared in the sky, black wings spread behind them.
"We've arrived just in time."
"Perfect. I'll start the ritual. Wait here for a moment."
While Haruto performed the ritual, Yuuma and her companions exchanged glances with Rias and Akeno.
"Lady Rias, it's our first meeting. I'm Raynare."
"I'm Mittelt~"
"Kalawarna."
Rias nodded. "No need for such formality. Haruto has already told me about you."
"Thank you, Lady Rias. Then we'll proceed according to the plan."
"No rush. Let's first see if this Sacred Gear is worthy of Haruto." Rias crossed her arms, her demeanor perfectly embodying that of a pureblood high-class devil. "As Haruto's master, if this Sacred Gear is too inferior, I won't acknowledge it."
"Ara ara~ Everyone, rest assured. Even if the Sacred Gear isn't suitable, if the three of you are willing to join us, we would be very welcome." Akeno, as Rias's Queen, promptly added.