The Queen Piece.
It was the strongest Evil Piece, as it could increase everything about those who were reincarnated with this piece.
If possible, Sona wanted to reincarnate Sato with the Queen Piece, but Sato was fine with the Pawn Pieces, thought.
Regardless, without a doubt, those who could be chosen as the Queen were definitely the best of the best among the Peerage members. It was also due to this that, among all the Peerage members within the group, Akeno Himejima had the most potential of everyone.
Yet, even so, Akeno was dumbfounded by Sato's words. "Physics? Mathematics?"
"Forget what I said. Can you tell me your specialty?"
Yes, Sato knew about Akeno's origin, specialty, and more or less about her talents since she was one of the most popular heroines in the story, considering how her image was quite extreme, as, despite being demure, she was a masochist and also a sadist.
Were they suitable together, then?
No, he wasn't a masochist at all!
Still, as he asked her that question, Akano thought for a while and said, "Well... I have a good amount of Demonic Energy."
In other words, she could cast a lot of magic without worrying.
"So, you are a magic type?"
"Yes."
"What magic are you good at?"
"Er... I am good at lightning, and my second-best magic is fire magic, but I can also do more or less of others."
Yes, she was a good magician, or it could be said that she was talented, as this was one of the reasons why she was chosen as Rias' Queen.
"Is there anything else?"
"Well..." Akeno's expression didn't change, and she still showed a gentle smile as usual. "Hmm... I can say that I can do a Shinto-related magic."
"Shinto? You mean like that Shikigami or something similar?"
"Yup, my mother is a Shinto Miko (Priestess), after all, so she taught me a lot..."
"I am sorry."
As he noticed her expression that slowly grew sad, Sato directly apologized.
"What are you apologizing for? You are weird. You are just asking me a question, after all, so you can teach me, right? So, don't blame yourselves."
While Akeno tried to comfort him gently, Sato wasn't stupid enough to ask where her mother was, as it was obvious her mother had passed away.
"Though... I am sorry if I am wrong, but you are also an orphan, right, Sato-kun?"
"Well, yes."
"Is it okay?"
"Yup."
"You are not going to blame me?"
"Mine was an accident, so I can't blame anyone."
However, what about Akeno?
Still—
"We're the same, then."
"...I hope that we don't have such a similarity, though."
"Ara, ara..." Akeno giggled and asked, "Do you want me to comfort you?"
"No, but do you want me to comfort you?"
"How will you comfort me?"
"If you skip the training, I won't tell Rias."
"Ah, you aren't using "-sama," I will tell Rias about it."
"Aren't you the same?"
The two looked at each other as they smiled.
"So, do you want to train to grow stronger?"
"What if I don't?"
"It's fine."
If Akeno didn't want to train, then it didn't really matter since Sato wouldn't force her. After all, her power was enough as she was now, and frankly, unless Rias tried to seek to become the strongest female devil, Akeno's strength was good enough since many high-class devils were weaker than her.
Moreover, Akeno was different from Kiba and Koneko as she still had a backing, someone who would protect her.
Then again, when Sato thought about this protector, he felt that this guy was a chicken since when his wife was killed, he did nothing and just let the killer go, and destroyed everything.
What was the point of getting stronger, then?
"...you are different from what I thought you to be, Sato-kun."
"What do you think I am?"
"Training maniac?" As Risa wanted to get Sato, naturally, Akeno also observed him, and because of that, she often saw him training with all of his might. Well, sometimes, he was also lazy, just sleeping in his apartment without doing anything, but most of the time, he was a hard worker, so—
"Is there anything that you want to do by working hard?"
"I wonder how I should answer that question."
"Just tell the truth, what you really think, but if you don't want to answer me, then it is fine, though."
After all, Sato was gentle enough not to poke at parts that she wanted to hide, so she did the same.
"Well..." Sato thought for a while and said, "In most cases, I will say that, so I can be at peace, but well... since it is you, I will say that so I won't be powerless when I need it the most."
"Powerless when I need it the most..."
While the reasons why they became orphans differed, their cases were similar in that they were all alone, so his words resonated.
If she were stronger at that time, would her mother be okay?
Could they at least buy some time, so her father could come?
Akeno wasn't sure whether she could meet someone that she treasured with all of her might, yet if a similar situation happened and she was powerless to protect the one that she cared about or simply became a burden at that time, what would she do?
"Should I give you some time to think?"
"...shouldn't you tell me that I shouldn't think about it too much?"
"If we are a normal human, who just worried about the future of the country, and our future, such as university, working, love, and all other common problems, then I will say that, but we're on the supernatural side, whether we want to or not, we will be exposed to danger.
"So, when you think of that, being strong isn't whether you want to or not; instead, you have to, since if you don't, you will lose your life."
In other words, if Akeno didn't want to live, then it was fine to stay as she was, but if she wanted to live, then she should strive to grow stronger.
So, what kind of a choice should she make?
"I..."
Sato was silent and didn't urge Akeno, who tried to think of words to say to him. "I-I have another speciality, but... but... I don't want to use this power."
"It's fine. I won't force you."
"...really?"
Akeno, who lowered her head, looked up, staring at him timidly.
"We have become devils, our life is long, there is a lot of time to wait for us, and frankly, you are strong enough as you are now—"
"But."
Sato looked at Akeno, who cut his words, which made the two look at each other, then smile.
"If you want to curse, then it is fine, you know?
"...it is fine?"
"I think it's better to let it out than not."
"Then..." Akeno looked into the distance and shouted, "HIMEJIMA, YOU BASTARD! I WILL KILL ALL OF YOU! FATHER, YOU IDIOT, INCOMPETENT, MAN! KILL ALL OF THEM, WHO KILLED MY MOTHER INSTEAD OF DOING NOTHING!"
As she shouted, releasing all of her emotions, Sato saw her crying, but he didn't do anything and just quietly stayed by her side until she was satisfied.