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The first time Akio laid eyes on Rias Gremory, he couldn't help but sigh to himself again.
High schoolers these days really did grow up fast.
Erina Nakiri was like that.Yurika Hua was like that.Saeko Busujima was like that.And so was Rias.
If demons were born with perfect nutrition, then sure, Rias made sense. But those first three? That was just… overdevelopment, plain and simple. Who knew what they'd been eating to turn out like that.
Rias caught his eyes lingering on her chest for a few seconds. Instead of getting angry, she actually straightened her back proudly, showing off.
"Good morning, guest," she said smoothly. "Care to introduce yourself?"
Standing at her side, Akeno Himejima smiled politely too—but Akio could feel the tension radiating from her. She was wound tight, ready to strike at the slightest provocation.
Medea glanced at her, lips curving into a faint smile. "Relax, girl. No need to get so nervous."
If she wanted to, she could end Akeno's life with a flick of her fingers. Half fallen angel, half devil or not, it wouldn't make any difference.
Akio chuckled, nodding. "Exactly. No need to be so on edge—we're not here to pick a fight. Why don't we find somewhere more private to talk?"
Rias also thought this wasn't the place for a conversation. Composed as ever, she replied, "In that case, follow me."
She led Akio and his companions back to her clubroom, with Sona Sitri following close behind.
Inside the Occult Research Club.
Akio sank into the wide sofa, Medea and Hohenheim sitting on either side of him. Rias and Sona took the seats opposite. Akeno served tea for the guests before stepping back to stand behind Rias.
"Now," Rias began, her voice calm but firm, "perhaps you can tell us who you are, and why you've come here, mysterious guests?"
Akio inclined his head. "I'm Akio. This is Medea. And this is Von Hohenheim Paracelsus."
The name "Akio" meant nothing. But Medea? Von Hohenheim Paracelsus? Those names carried weight.
Medea—the witch of legend, student of the god of magic.Hohenheim—the alchemist spoken of in myths.
Of course, Rias wasn't about to take them at face value. More likely these were descendants borrowing the names of their ancestors. She'd heard of that kind of posturing before.
Akio caught the flicker of doubt in her eyes and smiled. "Don't misunderstand. They're not impostors pretending to be heroes of old. They are the real thing."
Sona froze, then frowned. "You must be joking."
Those two had died centuries ago. Everyone knew that. She didn't say the last part aloud, but it was written across her face.
"You're devils," Akio went on. "You should know what Heroic Spirits are."
Rias and Sona both stiffened. As nobles of the Gremory and Sitri houses, of course they knew. Which was why they now looked at Medea and Hohenheim with stunned disbelief.
The traitor witch and the alchemist of legend… standing right in front of them.
It was absurd. Impossible. And yet here they were.
For new-generation devils like them, myths were just stories from a faraway past. Even they, despite being devils themselves, felt the same sense of distance. Seeing legendary figures alive in the flesh—it was overwhelming.
Still, their upbringing kept them from losing composure for long.
"We never imagined the two of you would grace us with your presence," Rias said smoothly. "It's an honor. But tell me—what business brings you here?"
Her words addressed Medea and Hohenheim, but her gaze fixed on Akio. She could tell at a glance—he was the leader here. The other two, for all their terrifying fame, deferred to him. That alone made him an enigma.
Akio. A nobody's name. And yet, even legends stood behind him. Who exactly was he?
Was that even his real name?
Akio leaned forward, smiling faintly. "We came to ask you something. Through you, we want an answer from the devils behind you. Tell us—are devils planning to start a war with humanity? A war with Alya itself?"
Rias blinked, stunned. "What… what do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what it sounds like."
Akio knew how to seize control of a conversation—throw out a bombshell and leave the other side scrambling. And Rias was definitely rattled.
Sona forced herself to stay calm. "What makes you say such a thing, Lord Akio?"
"You've heard of Umbrella Corporation, I assume?" Akio asked.
Sona frowned. "Isn't that one of the world's top companies?"
Rias nodded. "A biotech and pharmaceutical giant."
Both of them had lived among humans long enough to know the name. Of course they'd heard of Umbrella.
Akio's voice dropped. "Umbrella's upper ranks have already sold their souls to the devils. They're nothing but your pawns now. Under your orders, they've been developing a virus targeted at humanity."
Rias and Sona both stiffened.
"Just recently, Umbrella's people released this so-called Blacklight Virus into Kuon City's water supply. It spread into countless homes through the tap water."
"Our projections of the future show the results. Soon, the virus will explode out of control. One month from now—Tokyo falls. Half a year later—Japan itself collapses."
"Tens of millions of humans will become zombies. Even yokai and other beings won't be spared. Infection will spread. The entire nation will turn into hell on earth."
Both devils sat there, stunned speechless.
Was he serious? That a company like Umbrella would go so far—that they'd actually turn Japan into a wasteland? It was insane.
And yet, they didn't doubt him. Future sight wasn't common, but it wasn't unheard of. Devils who could see into what was to come did exist. Rare, but real.
Akio seeing their silence, pressed on. "Because we discovered it early, we paid a heavy price to wipe out the virus. And we intended to strike down Umbrella for good."
He paused, then his expression darkened.
"But the future shifted. After Umbrella was purged, the devils behind them released a new virus. One designed to target men specifically. In that future, most of the world's male population was wiped out."
"Only five demi-humans managed to survive."
He leaned back, eyes narrowing. "So that's why we're here. To ask you straight—are devils planning to wage total war against humanity?"
"..."
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