"Meow~ Meow~ Meow~"
A pitiful, increasingly aggrieved sound suddenly echoed in Ren's ears, prompting him to look up.
He saw Kuroka trembling all over, shakily pushing open the shop door, her face filled with a helpless, tearless expression.
Even though she didn't have a human body, for some reason, Ren could clearly read that emotion on her face.
Right behind her, Lucemon slowly stepped in, wearing a cold, mocking smile.
Looking sideways at the trembling Kuroka, Lucemon walked straight over to Ren. Only then did she start to survey her surroundings.
Eventually, her gaze landed on Ophis.
"Oh ho… another dragon? As expected of my master, already luring in another one so quickly."
Whether it was disdain or some other emotion, Lucemon said it with such tone.
As if hearing someone mention her, Ophis slightly lifted her head and looked at Lucemon.
Then, their gazes collided, sparking a fierce and invisible clash.
After a brief moment, Ophis tilted her head and softly asked,
"God of the Bible?"
Lucemon: "…"
Did you mistake me for someone else? Do I really look that much like the God of the Bible?
"Ophis, her name is Lucemon, not the God of the Bible."
"Oh... her light power is very strong, even stronger than the God of the Bible."
Ophis, who always told the truth, calmly judged the strength of the other party.
Hearing this, Lucemon looked at Ophis with interest, the corners of her lips slightly curled.
"Interesting. You're so relaxed while evaluating my strength—you must be quite strong, huh? Want to have a go?"
"I'm no match for you. I can't win."
"Hey hey hey, can you show a bit more confidence? Where did all that arrogance go from just now?"
"Arrogance?"
Ophis tilted her head, a confused look surfacing on her face.
Seeing that expression, Lucemon suddenly understood.
This girl wasn't arrogant at all—this was just how she naturally was.
A bit of an airhead... That was the word Lucemon thought of.
Watching the exchange between Lucemon and Ophis, Ren chuckled and looked away.
"Meow~ Meow~ Meow~"
Kuroka staggered up to Ren on shaky legs and immediately collapsed, limbs sprawled.
Ren tapped her lightly with a teasing expression.
"Used up already?"
"Meow~ I'm completely burned out now... That one isn't an angel—she's a devil."
Kuroka weakly complained, utterly exhausted.
She now held an endless grudge against Lucemon. Though Lucemon had said she'd let her kick the grand cross away, Kuroka thought they were colleagues of sorts and it wouldn't go that far. But when she saw those searing hot spheres floating in the air, she realized she was wrong.
That angel was serious!
Though Lucemon hadn't used her full strength, she clearly intended to teach her a lesson.
So, to survive, Kuroka went all out.
Even though she wasn't injured—partly thanks to Lucemon holding back—she had still burned herself out completely.
When she came back, she didn't even bother returning to human form and just walked like that.
"You guessed right. Her original form is the Demon King Lucifer... In a way, she is a devil."
"What the hell! What kind of Lucifer looks like an angel?!"
"She hasn't fallen yet."
"She's basically already fallen... What kind of angel does this stuff?"
Kuroka ranted in outrage.
As if hearing something, Lucemon looked over at Kuroka thoughtfully.
Feeling that gaze, Kuroka quickly stood up and righteously declared,
"This is exactly what angels are supposed to do! I was out of line and need correcting!"
Lucemon nodded with satisfaction, then turned her gaze back to Ophis.
"Pfft————"
Seeing Kuroka like that, Ren couldn't hold back and burst into laughter.
Fou looked at Kuroka with open contempt. "You've got no spine."
Kuroka snorted and glared back at Fou.
"If you're so great, why don't you try? Judging me from the sidelines!"
At that, Fou gave a cheerful laugh and strutted confidently toward Lucemon.
When Lucemon saw her, her eyes lit up and she extended her arm.
Fou leapt into it in one go and chirped:
"Fou~~ Fou~~ Fou~~ (How about I call you Luce-chan? Got a problem with that?)"
"I personally don't like that name... but if you like it, do as you please! Want to spar sometime?"
"Fou~~ Fou~~ Fou~~ (No problem, but let's save that for another time)"
"Alright then... After eating so many good things, if I don't get to move a little, I'll be annoyed."
To Kuroka's disbelief, Fou and Lucemon were getting along great.
They even made plans to spar.
"Why me————"
Kuroka's heart broke.
The ones who laughed at first were Ren, herself, and Fou—yet Lucemon only came after her.
Now Fouu was calling Lucemon an embarrassing nickname, and they were chatting happily.
Why is this happening to me...
Ren sighed and patted Kuroka on the back.
"Kid, accept it. Reality is cruel like this."
"Meow~~~"
Kuroka dejectedly curled up in Ren's arms.
Only this not-too-big, not-too-small embrace could give her some warmth now.
Ren gently stroked Kuroka, his eyes soft with affection.
Though he liked teasing her, that didn't mean he didn't like her.
In fact, it was just part of his daily fun.
Sure enough, once Kuroka settled into Ren's arms, she licked her lips like her energy was back.
Just then, Lucemon seemed to remember something. She looked at Ren and asked,
"By the way, Master, what happened to that white dragon earlier? You didn't just let him go, did you?"
"Of course not... How could I let go of my spoils of war?"
"That's good! Come on, Master, hand over my reward! I earned you a lot this time!"
Lucemon held out her hand, beaming brightly.
Ren's gaze grew a little strange.
"So... you captured Vali with that in mind?"
"Obviously. Come on now, Master. However many food bags that dragon's worth—it's up to you now!"
Somewhere far away, Albion: "???"