A notification materialized before Takeyo's eyes, glowing with ethereal light:
[Origin: Mythra Incarnation, A Warrior Holding a Golden Sword]
The sun god Mithra and the war god Verethragna were originally one entity, later divided into the military god representing guardian power and Mithra representing contract and the sun.
This incarnation is the Origin Mithra, possessing the ability to seal the opponent's spirit and gifts, provided the user has sufficient understanding of the opponent.
Note: The origin of Mithra and the origin of Vishnu have great overlapping attributes, and tracing their roots may reveal the existence of the same origin.
"This incarnation..." Takeyo frowned, studying the description carefully. "But isn't this from the world of Campione, not this reality?"
The more he examined it, the more peculiar it seemed. This incarnation appeared far more advanced than the so-called Authorities from the godslayer world. It had no restrictions on use itself, no quantity limitations whatsoever.
The only drawback? It consumed tremendous energy, using this single avatar would take up the equivalent of two incarnations worth of power.
"However, according to historical records, Persian mythology came first, then was absorbed into the Indian mythological hodgepodge," he mused aloud. "It makes sense that the origin of Mithra and Vishnu share the same source..."
Origin Mithra possessed ten incarnations similar to the military god, and origin Vishnu's ten incarnations shared many comparable elements. The warrior holding the axe and the golden sword. The wild boar and the boar incarnation. The white horse mirrored in both traditions. Even the lion Narasimha corresponded to Mithra's function as a god of contracts. The similarities were extensive.
Of course, because Vishnu's mythology functioned as a hodgepodge that absorbed countless traditions, the ten incarnations were merely the foundation. There were also twelve incarnations, 108 incarnations, 1,000 incarnations, potentially even endless incarnations.
"Forget it. I'll research this more thoroughly later."
Takeyo looked at the dimensional space beginning to collapse around him and made his decision.
Finally, after placing some subtle modifications on Riser's body, insurance for future contingencies, Takeyo vanished from the dimensional battlefield.
Along with countless fragments like shattered mirrors, Takeyo and Riser returned to the banquet scene.
"Let's go, Rias. I've fulfilled my promise," Takeyo said with a satisfied smile.
Whether Ajuka had done it deliberately or not, Takeyo materialized directly beside Rias.
He was thoroughly pleased with the benefits this turkey of an opponent had provided. A gold-level sign-in reward was incredibly rare. If he could arrange a few more encounters like this...
The moment she saw Takeyo appear unharmed, Rias immediately rushed into his arms.
"You're okay! You're okay! Thank goodness!" Tears soaked into Takeyo's shirt as she clung to him tightly. "Don't ever do something like that again! I was so worried!"
Rias had been so nervous throughout the entire battle that she couldn't relax her heart until Takeyo successfully defeated Riser.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host for signing in! Sign-in level: Silver!]
[Sign-in location: Rias's head.]
[Sign-in time limit: 1 day.]
[Remaining time for sign-in: 1 day.]
Takeyo noticed the exclamation mark appearing above Rias's head and gently touched her crimson hair.
Though Rias found the gesture a bit strange, she didn't try to avoid it.
"Sorry. I had some personal business before this that caused complications," Takeyo said while stroking Rias's red hair.
Indeed, he genuinely hadn't fulfilled his original promise. If he hadn't encountered Vishnu by chance, he wouldn't have needed to fight Riser in such a troublesome manner. He could have simply defeated him in the previous official Rating Game.
Rias closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of Takeyo's large hand against her head.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host for completing the location registration! Sign-in level: Silver!]
[Sign-in location: Rias's head!]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining reward, Contract Item: Mysterious Sailor Suit]
[Contract Item, Mysterious Sailor Suit: A mysterious sailor uniform from a girl across the heavens and worlds. Can sign a contract with a girl at a price and transform her into a magical girl!]
[Note: The transaction must be equal. After a successful transaction, information such as the position of the corresponding world can be obtained.]
After breathing in Takeyo's familiar scent, Rias suddenly opened her eyes wide, remembering something critically important.
"Come on! We need to go to the underworld's best medical facility right away!" Rias grabbed Takeyo's hand naturally, intending to take him for treatment.
"We're going somewhere, yes, but not there," Takeyo said thoughtfully.
After casting an apologetic look at Ajuka, he was about to leave rather abruptly, after all, Takeyo decided a subtle reminder was appropriate.
As for whether Ajuka would realize the implication, that wasn't his concern.
[It possesses something that transcends the brilliance of the sun!]
[With this body...]
[The sun of salvation descends upon the world!]
At Takeyo's call, a white horse burning with brilliant white flames slowly emerged from the void.
"Takeyo?... This is..." Rias blinked in surprise as Takeyo suddenly lifted her into his arms.
"If you're going to steal away the bride, naturally it's better to use a white horse," Takeyo said with a smile.
"This..." Rias nodded slightly.
This was the fire of salvation capable of destroying gods themselves, yet she felt no heat whatsoever. What she sensed was pure, gentle warmth.
"Go!"
Takeyo rode the white horse into the air, leaving a beautiful trajectory across the sky.
At the scene below, no one dared to intervene.
Beyond being shocked by Takeyo's overwhelming strength, another factor prevented interference, the Demon Kings' reaction. Since none of the four great Satans moved to stop it, this clearly meant they approved of the situation.
In such circumstances, who would be foolish enough to make a move? That would be suicide. What if Takeyo killed them in response?
After observing the reactions of the assembled guests, Sirzechs walked to the very center of the hall.
"As you all witnessed, my sister's chosen partner defeated Lord Riser Phenex. Unfortunately, the engagement between my sister and the Phenex family has now ended."
Ajuka watched with a very subtle expression as Sirzechs made his announcement.
The approximate meaning was clear: Although my sister temporarily lost her marriage partner, she now has a lover, a very powerful lover. There's no need for everyone to worry about my sister's affairs.
His more direct purpose was binding Rias and Takeyo together publicly.
The significance of his sister being with him at his first major public appearance in the underworld was immense.
"By the way, Takeyo-kun is also my disciple," Ajuka added with a smile.
This time, it was Sirzechs who gave him a very subtle look.
"For Takeyo-kun's growth, all devils are welcome to challenge him. Don't worry about consequences, I'll take full responsibility for anything that happens," Ajuka continued cheerfully.
As for the other two Demon Kings, Falbium acted as if he were watching an entertaining play, showing no intention of speaking.
He did, however, display unprecedented interest in Takeyo, having noticed that Takeyo possessed similar spiritual attributes to himself.
Serafall was happily chatting with Sona, who had just awakened from unconsciousness. She'd focused her entire heart on her little sister, with no intention of concerning herself with other matters.
In short, with the acquiescence of all the Demon Kings and the higher-ranking devils present, this matter was settled.
"Ahhh! Takeyo-kun stealing away Rias-buchou from the crowd was so handsome!" A strange light gleamed in Akeno's eyes.
She genuinely hadn't expected Takeyo to have literally killed Riser's Phoenix flames into collapse through sheer overwhelming strength!
Even if she, the kitten, and Rias combined their efforts, they could kill Riser at most twice before exhausting their demonic power.
"Akeno-senpai... I told you... I knew senpai would definitely come," Koneko said, the corners of her mouth hooking up slightly before showing a somewhat unhappy expression.
Senpai... how many girls are you going to provoke? Obviously... I was the first to meet you. So why did Rias-buchou announce her relationship with you first?
"Speaking of which, Koneko, you're willing to use senjutsu because of Takeyo-kun? How enviable," Akeno said with a smile.
She spoke with a smile, but Koneko and Kiba didn't see happiness in her eyes.
Unlike Koneko, whose conflict with her sister could be resolved because Kuroka was still alive, Akeno's mother was no longer in this world. The contradiction between her and her father, combined with her closed heart, made resolution nearly impossible.
"Yes... Senpai helped resolve the matter with my sister," Koneko nodded slightly.
"Hm?"
As Gremory's peerage members prepared to depart while conversing, a figure with brilliant red hair approached them.
"My sister's peerage members, thank you very much for your support of my sister," Sirzechs said sincerely.
"This is what we should do, Sirzechs-sama," Kiba responded with utmost seriousness.
"Because Rias-buchou is our benefactor, we must also do our best to respond to her," Akeno said with a smile.
"Yes..." Koneko added quietly.
Indeed, Gremory's peerage members had basically all been picked up by Rias. She was their benefactor who saved them.
But... not yet the benefactor who redeemed them.
Currently, only Koneko had received such redemption.
Sirzechs looked at his sister's peerage members and said thoughtfully, "I'm here to ask you to inform Rias about something. Her servant who was sealed in the old school building can now be unsealed."
"Sirzechs-sama... you mean Gasper!" Akeno's eyes widened.
"Yes, exactly. Now Rias should have the presence to unlock Gasper's seal. With Takeyo-kun and your peerage members, I believe you can develop Gasper's power properly."
Sirzechs spoke with a smile.
He could sense something terrifying residing within Gasper's body.
In fact, his intuition was absolutely correct. According to the original timeline, thirty years later, Gasper would become a powerful devil judged to be at transcendent level.
In truth, Rias's own strength was definitely not qualified to unseal Gasper.
The most important reason, of course, was that Sirzechs believed in Takeyo.
In the battle footage he'd reviewed, he'd seen Takeyo use a skill similar to a time-stopping Mystic Eye.
With Takeyo present, it would be extremely convenient whether to use superior power to break Gasper free of his own ability's control or to teach Gasper how to properly wield his power.
At this moment, the sister he cared for so deeply had already arrived at Takeyo's room.
"Boom."
With a movement of Takeyo's will, the white horse vanished.
"Cough, cough..." Takeyo coughed up another mouthful of golden blood.
Rias hurried to help him wipe it clean.
"Takeyo... I want to tell you something," Rias said, her face flushed.
She wanted to discuss her inner thoughts with Takeyo.
"Go ahead, cough... I'm listening." Takeyo coughed slightly.
"Actually... I knew about you a long time ago," Rias said while gently wiping.
"I know," Takeyo replied calmly.
He was well aware of this. Sometimes after school, he could feel sharp attention on his back. That had been Rias observing him.
"When I learned that you defeated Sona, I actually had the idea of accepting you as my peerage member. However, I initially thought that maybe I could use it as an opportunity to tease Sona, or give my team an intellectual responsibility capable of crushing hers."
Rias continued her confession.
"I know that too." Takeyo nodded.
Though he had no magical talent, his enhanced perceptions could barely detect that someone was occasionally observing him, more frequently than after he joined the student council.
However, Takeyo had only thought it was basic observation at the time. He hadn't expected it to be... this.
"But later, I gradually discovered that you're a very special person. You're gentle, considerate, and take care of others' feelings. You're also very strong and responsible..." Rias's voice grew softer.
"So I started paying more attention to you. Not as a potential peerage member, but as... as someone I wanted to know better."
She looked up at him, her blue-green eyes shimmering with emotion.
"I think... no, I know... I've fallen in love with you, Takeyo Kagutsuchi."
☆☆☆
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