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On top of a building—
Two figures stood quietly, watching an apartment complex from afar.
"Irina, that's where the devil lives, right?"
The speaker was a tall, beautiful girl with shoulder-length blue hair. She had a huge sword strapped to her back—almost as tall as she was—wrapped tightly in bandages, giving her a strange, intimidating look.
"Xenovia, trust me, I double-checked the intel."
The other girl spoke casually. She was cute and friendly-looking, like the girl next door.
With a serious look, Irina continued, "This guy's no joke. He's Rias Gremory's fiancé now—and Freed died by his hand."
Xenovia nodded. "So no matter what we do here, we'll have to deal with him first, right?"
"Exactly. That's why we're observing him before we make a move."
At that, both girls fell silent. Their expressions hardened like true warriors preparing for battle.
But right then, a relaxed voice rang out behind them.
"Well, this is interesting. Mind telling me what kind of operation you're running here?"
In a flash, both Xenovia and Irina flinched, instantly rolling away and taking up fighting stances.
Their gazes turned sharp as they locked eyes on the newcomer.
"Hello, ladies of the Church!"
Minato stood on the edge of the rooftop railing, waving at them with a friendly smile.
"Seeing a devil isn't exactly a good omen," Xenovia said coldly, gripping her massive sword tightly. "When did you get here?"
"I believe I asked first, didn't I?" Minato replied, hopping down from the railing and strolling toward them casually. "But I'm always a little more lenient with beautiful girls."
He looked them over and added with a grin, "I've been here since you two started chatting."
Irina's cheeks turned slightly red. "So the rumors were true—you really are a pervy devil."
"But don't get the wrong idea," she added quickly. "We don't mean you any harm. How about you let us leave peacefully?"
"Whoa, whoa, now—weren't you the ones spying on me?"
"Spying?! We were just observing!"
Irina immediately bristled. "Don't say stuff that makes people misunderstand!"
Minato just gave her a look that said, what's the difference?
Xenovia Quarta and Irina Shidou.
The moment he saw them, Minato recognized who they were. But that was about it. As for why they were here, he had his suspicions—but nothing concrete yet.
"Well, since you're so into spying, how about I give you a chance to do it up close?"
Xenovia frowned. "What kind of chance?"
"With a smile, Minato said, "Easy—become my servants. That way, you'll be able to keep an eye on me 24/7."
Irina's eyes widened. "Wait—how does that benefit us in any way? Sounds like you're the only one winning here!"
"Really?" Minato blinked. "You sure it's not you who's getting the better end of the deal?"
Irina: "..."
Xenovia: "..."
This devil... had no shame.
Completely ignoring their looks of disgust, Minato smiled and asked, "So, what's your answer?"
Xenovia raised her sword and pointed it right at him. "I refuse. I won't allow you to insult my faith."
"Exactly!" Irina added angrily. "Don't you think your request is way out of line?"
"Out of line?" Minato looked at them playfully and grinned. "Don't forget—I'm a devil."
"Ugh..." Both girls were momentarily stunned.
Now that he mentioned it... for a devil, everything he said actually made perfect sense.
"If you're not gonna agree," Minato said, "then don't blame me for what happens next."
Before they could react, he moved forward again. The pressure he gave off made both girls tense up instantly.
"We don't want to fight the devils unless we have to," Xenovia said, taking a deep breath. "But now, you've left us no choice."
The moment she finished speaking, Xenovia launched herself forward like a shooting star.
But she came back even faster.
CRACK!
Her greatsword flew from her hands, spinning through the air before slamming into the ground.
Xenovia herself skidded back several meters, scraping across the rooftop floor.
Irina was completely frozen.
Her eyes were wide with shock and disbelief.
So fast.
She didn't even see what happened.
"Now do you get the difference in power?" Minato slowly lowered his hand, still smiling calmly.
And man—what a soft landing that was.
A moment later, Irina snapped out of it and rushed to help Xenovia up.
"I'm fine," Xenovia said, brushing herself off and giving Minato a complicated look. "Why'd you hold back?"
"Because I want you to be my followers, obviously."
"Keep dreaming," Irina snapped. "Even if we can't beat you, we'll never betray our faith."
"Exactly," Xenovia added. "Even if it kills us, we won't become devils."
"Geez, what a hassle..." Minato sighed, looking troubled for a moment. Then he smirked. "Alright then, let's switch it up. While you're in this city—you'll work as my maids."
"Huh? How's that any different?" Irina blurted out.
"Well, you're not turning into devils—that's what you wanted, right?"
Minato tilted his head. "Besides, you're with the Church. You think I'd just let you wander around unsupervised? This is me being generous."
Irina paused. Considering the strength gap between them, she thought it over and gave a reluctant nod.
"Alright... but only regular maid work, got it? Cleaning and chores. Nothing weird."
"Of course! I'm a total gentleman."
"Heh, right..." Irina's lip twitched.
If she weren't so outmatched, she'd wipe that smug smile right off his face.
Xenovia leaned over and whispered, "Irina, what's a maid, exactly?"
Having grown up in the Church, she knew next to nothing about normal life outside.
"..."
Irina was silent for a second, then sighed. "Forget it. You don't need to know. Just follow my lead."
"Okay!" Xenovia nodded cheerfully.
As long as they didn't become devils...
A peaceful resolution wasn't too bad after all.
After all, their orders from above were to avoid direct conflict with the devils if possible.
"....."