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"Asia, are you really sure about this?"
Minato looked at Asia and asked, "You really want to become my servant? That is… become a demon?"
Asia hesitated, clearly struggling with the decision. Her hands clenched tightly as she asked, "Brother Minato… do you need my power?"
"I do."
Minato answered firmly, without a shred of doubt.
And he wasn't lying.
He hadn't brought it up before simply because of Asia's deep faith—he was afraid he'd scare her.
But Minato had always been a good guy in her eyes.
If he needs me…
Then maybe… even God will forgive me, right?
Staring into Minato's eyes, Asia's gaze gradually became more resolute. "Okay. I'll become a demon."
"Tricked another innocent girl, huh?"
Shiyu shot Minato a side glance.
"You're one to talk! You're the real culprit here!"
Minato rolled his eyes at her and pulled out a demon chess piece from his pocket.
It was a Bishop piece—perfect for Asia's abilities.
"What do I do now?"Asia looked at Minato, clearly nervous.
Becoming a demon… it was something she never would've even imagined in the first half of her life.
"It's pretty simple—just need to perform the reincarnation ritual."
Minato turned the chess piece over in his hand, studying Asia and thinking about where to begin.
"Let me help."
Shiyu snatched the piece and, using her own experience, stepped in to guide Asia.
"…Minato was speechless."
Should've known… this woman…
"Ah la la~ What's with that look, my pervy master?"
Shiyu smiled like a sly fox.
Minato kept a straight face, playing the innocent gentleman role perfectly.
Shiyu grinned smugly and said to Asia, "Lift this part up."
"Eh?"Asia froze, and her face instantly turned bright red—like a ripe apple.
This… is part of the ritual?
Something feels off here…
But Shiyu's expression didn't change at all. "Relax, it's just to place the piece."
Hearing that, Asia blinked a few times, then started cooperating.
Still…
With Minato standing nearby, she felt ridiculously embarrassed, like steam was about to shoot from her head.
But seeing Minato's totally serious face…
She suddenly felt ashamed.
What was she even thinking? So dirty-minded—how could she think such things!
Shiyu's smile widened. Her movements were smooth, fast, and precise—before Asia even knew it, the chess piece had already been placed exactly where it needed to go.
In a flash—
The demon piece fused with Asia's body.
At the same time…
A dark red magic circle appeared on the floor beneath her.
Not long after—
The reincarnation ritual was complete.
Sweat dripped down Asia's delicate face, and she could feel her once-weak body suddenly surging with power.
"I… became a demon??"
Asia felt something strange behind her—like… something was growing there.
As that thought crossed her mind—
Whoosh!A pair of demon wings stretched out behind her.
"I really became a demon…?"
Asia dropped to her knees, praying in a low voice, "Almighty Lord, I only did this to help Brother Minato, please forgi—Ow ow ow!"
"You're a demon now. Probably best not to pray anymore."
Minato looked at Asia, eyes brimming with helpless amusement as she teared up.
If he remembered right…
Yeah, this was totally in character for Asia.
But still, seeing it with his own eyes… it felt kinda weird.
"I'll be careful!"
Asia stood up, a small frown on her face.
Not being able to pray made her feel uneasy…
But the thought of being able to help Minato made her happy again.
"From now on, you'll train with Shiyu," Minato said, giving her a gentle head pat. "If you ever have any problems, come straight to me."
Stare…
Off to the side, Shiyu watched the scene unfold.
Was this…
Did she just invite a wolf into the henhouse?
"I'll do my best!"
Asia nodded energetically, then turned to Shiyu and bowed politely. "Please take care of me from now on, Shiyu-senpai!"
"…Shiyu was silent for a moment."
Forget it. No point arguing with this sweet little airhead.
Underworld.
The sky was as clear as a calm lake.
The land stretched endlessly in all directions, like it had no end.
Inside the Gremory family's castle—
In a spacious room, there was only a large desk piled with documents.
Two people were in the room—one sitting, one standing—engaged in discussion.
The seated man had fiery red hair and a bright, friendly face.
He was one of the Four Great Satans of the Underworld—Sirzechs Gremory.
The woman standing across from him was tall, dressed in a maid outfit, and radiated an icy beauty.
She was Grayfia, known as the Silver-Haired Queen of Annihilation.
These two—
Were some of the most powerful beings in the entire Underworld.
"So you're saying… that kid Minato wants to challenge the Rating Game to fight for Rias' engagement?"
Sirzechs' eyes sparkled slightly. "What do you think?"
As Rias' older brother, he'd practically watched Minato and Rias grow up together.
He knew exactly what their relationship was like.
But sometimes…
Even as a Satan, there were things he couldn't control.
Grayfia answered calmly, "Minato and Rias… they're not the reckless type."
"In other words, they must be confident they'll win?"
Sirzechs smiled faintly, muttering under his breath, "If that's the case, then maybe it's time to lend a hand."
He had always been looking for a chance to cancel Rias' engagement.
And now—maybe this was it.
Grayfia said, "Shall I make the arrangements?"
Sirzechs nodded. "Yeah. Make sure everything's airtight. We can't give those old geezers anything to nitpick."
"Yes, sir."
As her voice faded, the magic circle beneath her feet lit up, and Grayfia vanished.
"…But Minato, you only just recently became a High-Class Devil. Where's this confidence coming from?"
With that thought, Sirzechs couldn't help but feel a bit excited…
He was really starting to look forward to this Rating Game.
"....."