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"As expected of former Holy Sword wielders—your power as demons isn't bad at all."
Sensing Irina and Xenovia's aura, Minato nodded approvingly.
"So this is what being a demon feels like?"
Xenovia clenched her tiny fists and grinned. "Huh, doesn't feel that different."
"Not quite~"
Irina gave a mischievous smirk. "We do have evil wings and tails now, y'know."
And with that, she reached out and grabbed something.
"Ngghhh..."
Xenovia's face turned red. "Irina! You've got one too, you know!"
"Mmghh..."
"D-Don't grab my tail!"
"You started it, Irina!"
"Ugh! I'm not losing to you!"
Irina's eyes were misty, her face flushed as she tried to pin Xenovia down.
The two former Holy Sword wielders... had launched into a bizarre kind of battle.
"???"
Asia's face turned bright red, a huge question mark practically floating over her head.
She had just been reincarnated as a devil!
And now this?
Wasn't this development a little... off track?
After hesitating for a bit, she awkwardly shuffled out of the living room, fidgeting as she went.
Utaha, on the other hand, stood there completely stunned, her cheeks slowly flushing pink.
S-So shameless...
These two women—
Were they doing this on purpose or not?
But either way!
She hadn't noticed it before, but now…
Yeah, they were definitely rivals in love.
Dammit. She couldn't afford to lose either!
While Minato was enjoying the show, Utaha stepped closer.
"What's wrong, Utaha?"
He gently ran his hand through her silky hair.
"I... it's just..."
Utaha's face turned scarlet.
Her hair was a little messy, and she clearly had something to say, but she just couldn't bring herself to say it.
Even though she had some experience…
Throwing herself at him like that was still way too embarrassing.
In the end, she buried her face in Minato's chest, then slowly looked up at him, eyes shimmering like they were about to cry.
Their eyes met—there was no need for words.
"Mana replenishment," huh? That was part of a devil's duty toward their followers.
Irina and Xenovia, who had been play-fighting just moments ago, suddenly froze in place, completely confused.
"Miss Utaha is... replenishing mana??"
"So this is what devil mana replenishment looks like?"
The two girls stared at the scene, totally forgetting what they'd been doing.
"God's not around anymore anyway."
Asia hadn't gone far.
Her hands twitched and curled up near her chest as she kept hesitating.
Without realizing it, she'd leaned closer and closer to the wall...
The Next Morning
Utaha yawned, then blinked when she saw Asia's dark circles.
After a moment of surprise, she gave her a mysterious smile.
"Asia, even if we're devils now, we still need a proper sleep schedule, you know~"
At her words, Asia's face instantly turned beet red. She mumbled a quick "Good morning" and ran off to her room in embarrassment.
Meanwhile...
Irina and Xenovia looked uneasy and restless.
Last night had been way too intense for two girls who'd just become devils.
Even though they managed to get away quickly...
The aftereffects were overwhelming.
"Nope, I've decided!"
Xenovia suddenly stood up, full of energy. "God's gone, so it's time for a new goal!"
"Huh?"
Irina blinked, completely confused.
"I'm gonna serve the master!" Xenovia said seriously. "And then... give him children!"
"..."
Classic Xenovia. She really said that with such righteous conviction.
Irina blushed a little as the image of those ruby-like eyes came to mind.
Honestly... not a bad new goal.
At that moment, Minato, who had just happened to see the whole thing, nodded to himself in satisfaction.
Nice!
The kind of followers who fall for you on their own? Best kind.
"Maybe... it's time I upgraded to a bigger apartment," Minato muttered under his breath.
Sure, the current one was fine, but it was better to plan ahead, right?
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Minato felt something.
"A devil's contract...?"
His eyes lit up.
But unfortunately, it didn't seem to be a contract from another world.
And this one—it looked like it had been sent out years ago.
Buzz!
A magic circle lit up, and Minato's figure vanished on the spot.
Fuyuki City
Morning sunlight streamed through the window—
But the whole room still felt dark and chilly.
"This place is... scary..."
Sakura Matou looked out the window. The sun was shining outside, sure, but the entire mansion felt more like a cursed, soul-devouring den of evil.
It was only her first day here—
And already, she felt completely hopeless.
That old man was terrifying.
Rin, where are you?
I don't want to stay here...
"Huh...? What's this?"
In a corner of the room, Sakura picked up a worn-out flyer.
"It says... you can make a wish?"
She looked at the strange text on it and held the paper up like it was something precious. "I really... want to get out of here."
The moment those words left her mouth—
A dark red magic circle appeared at her feet, glowing with strange energy.
As if sensing something, Sakura turned around—
And saw Minato, smiling warmly.
"Looks like... you're the one who summoned me."
Looking at Sakura, Minato's expression turned a bit complicated.
This messy, mashed-up world couldn't even keep its timelines straight—everything was just being crammed together at this point.
But honestly? He didn't mind.
A girl like this shouldn't have to go through something so cruel.
Besides... the idea of raising someone like her...
Kinda appealing, actually.
"Summoning...?"
Sakura asked nervously, "Was that magic just now... for making wishes?"
"You could say that."
Minato nodded.
Hearing that, Sakura's face turned bright red with excitement.
"Then... can you take me away from here?"
"Of course."
Minato replied, "But I am a devil. I don't do things for free. You'll have to pay a price. Are you ready for that?"
"A d... devil?"
Sakura froze. Her eyes blinked rapidly, tears welling up.
"A devil? I don't wanna die yet...!"
"..."
Minato blinked.
Was he... bullying a kid just now?
All he did was say a few lines!
"Alright, alright, don't cry. You're not gonna die."
Seeing how she trembled, Minato gave her a gentle head pat and said softly, "As long as I'm here, you'll never die."
"R-Really?"
Sakura stopped crying and looked up into his ruby-red eyes.
So pretty. So warm.
This devil uncle... was actually a good guy.
That's what she started to believe in her heart.
"....."