Kaiser's villa.
A flash of light.
Kaiser and his group emerged from the magic circle.
"Master."
Sensing him, Shiho and the others hurried over.
Gone for a day and night on a job.
They still needed to grow stronger.
"What do you want?" Irina Shidou asked fearfully.
"…"
Shiho and the others froze.
Master had been busy again.
More companions?
Kaiser smirked. "Make you pay for your actions, of course."
Golden blood seeped from his finger.
"I advise you two to behave."
Seeing this, Raynare helpfully tugged open Xenovia and Irina's outer robes.
Her practiced motion made Eriri's eyelid twitch.
"Sister, isn't that wrong?"
"You're the new peerage member," Raynare blinked, smiling. "Master treated me the same at first."
"And now, I'm so grateful for his gift."
Eriri: "…"
Something felt off.
But she couldn't pinpoint it.
This peerage grew weirder.
"Good work, Raynare."
"Thank you, Master." Raynare's eyes sparkled. "Can I be first next time?"
"Of course."
Kaiser nodded, dripping blood onto Xenovia and Irina's skin sequentially.
"Mmm…"
"Hiss…"
Different breaths escaped as marks formed.
Hum!
Golden light flared; mysterious runes appeared.
Flap!
Next, two pairs of black wings burst forth.
Long and petite heart-tipped tails emerged from robes.
Kaiser ignored, checking attributes.
[Xenovia Quarta]
[Race: Devil]
[Master: Kaiser Lucifuge]
[Level: LV14]
[Skill: Natural Holy Sword Wielder]
[Natural Holy Sword Wielder: Any weapon you hold can transform into a Holy Sword.]
…
[Irina Shidou]
[Race: Devil]
[Master: Kaiser Lucifuge]
[Level: LV13]
[Skill: Rubber Body]
[Rubber Body: Your body gains rubber-like properties.]
…
Kaiser nodded inwardly.
Solid skills.
[Natural Holy Sword Wielder] paired with Slash might surprise.
Wonder how it'd work with true Holy Swords.
[Rubber Body] seemed niche, but useful against peerage members.
Kaiser glanced down, smiling.
He'd have his own "extendo" now.
"What have you done to us?"
Xenovia stared at her devil wings, world collapsing.
Kaiser released chains. "As you see—you're devils now, my peerage members."
"Advice: Don't think ill of me if you dislike pain."
Raynare added kindly, "Not out of goodwill."
More rivals meant less "potion."
She hoped they'd behave.
"Joke! Turning me devil—blasphemy against the Lord, you…" Xenovia roared.
"Aaah!"
Screams interrupted.
Irina glared silently, malice surging.
Punishment followed.
"Aaah!"
Xenovia and Irina convulsed, enduring agony.
Showing weakness before a devil?
Never.
Kaiser clapped at the stubborn holy sword wielders.
Clap clap clap!
"Impressive willpower. I'm impressed."
He stepped forward, pressing Xenovia's shoulder.
Indescribable pressure spread.
Xenovia crashed onto the sofa uncontrollably.
He loomed over her. "But what's the point?"
"Your Lord… died long ago."
The words stunned not just Xenovia and Irina, but Asia too.
Impact immense.
"No… impossible. Lies to shake my faith."
Xenovia endured pain, retorting fiercely.
"No lie. Think carefully."
"Since when have new angels been born from God's creation?"
"Devout believers suddenly branded heretics, abandoned by God."
"No questions?"
Each sentence hammered their hearts.
Asia rolled eyes, fainting.
Kaiser pinched Xenovia's chin, staring into her eyes. "So what's your persistence worth?"
Xenovia's expression shattered.
She wanted to refute—everything true.
She'd questioned before.
Last hope gone; she roared painfully.
"Liar! It's all fake."
"Aaah… stop trying."
"Really? I have a witness—right, Raynare?"
Raynare unfurled fallen wings sincerely. "Master's correct."
"Knowing the Lord's death, I fell from angel."
The final straw.
Xenovia wept silently, red eyes on Kaiser.
"With the Lord gone… devilhood doesn't matter."
"Then show your resolve."
Kaiser produced the "proof of determination," placing it before Xenovia.
"Choose. You'll have a home again."
"All peerage members, including me, are your family."
Despairing Xenovia's eyes lit.
Breathing quickened.
Heart pounding.
"I'll… have a home again…"
Xenovia reached slowly with delicate hand.
Sensing resolve, Kaiser smiled approvingly.
"Xenovia, feel it—cross this line, grow stronger."
"Mmm…"
Xenovia's gaze firmed, throat bobbing.
Gulp!
Pain vanished instantly.
Endless power surged.
"This… power growing… I'm strengthening."
Feeling changes, Xenovia shed last hesitation.
"Liars—the Church liars."
Irina, pained like a wounded pup, instinctively neared.
She stumbled; Kaiser caught her.
He gently stroked her twintails, consoling softly. "Good days ahead."
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