The effeminate youth spoke words that sounded almost like a confession as he walked toward Asia.
When he finally stood before her, Asia recognized him.
"You are… Lord Diodora!?"
Her face lit up with joy—meeting a familiar person in a foreign land was truly something to be happy about.
"Yes, it's me, Diodora."
"Asia, I'm the devil whose wounds you once healed. To see you again brings me such joy."
He smiled gently, his expression a mix of relief and sentiment.
"Come to think of it, I never told you my full name, did I? I am Diodora Astaroth, like him, also a high-class devil of the Underworld."
"Asia, since you've decided to become a devil, why not join me instead? Compared to someone you don't know, wouldn't it be better to serve under me?"
He openly tried to poach her, right in front of Akuto.
Akuto's hands shimmered with pure Leviathan magic.
"Hey, Diodora. I've almost finished negotiating. Don't you think cutting in like this is a bit rude?"
Akuto had already guessed the reason for Diodora's sudden appearance.
He'd likely been tailing Asia all along, and seeing Akuto about to reincarnate her, couldn't hold back anymore.
After all, Diodora had spent so much effort setting up his scheme—it made sense he wouldn't want to let Akuto swoop in.
"Rude?"
Diodora's smile remained, but his eyes turned colder.
"Akuto Leviathan, isn't it far ruder for you to drag Asia into your empty team? Asia, you don't know, do you? This man just became a high-class devil—he doesn't even have a single retainer yet."
"Me? Even though my servants are entrusted elsewhere, I already command fourteen retainers!"
"Unlike this newcomer, I am the one who can truly protect you in the Underworld."
Whoosh!
A magic bullet shot from Akuto's hand straight at Diodora's face!
Clang!
As if expecting it, a defensive spell flared to life across Diodora's face.
"Attacking without warning—typical of an uneducated half-blood devil. What's wrong? Did I strike a nerve?"
"A nerve? Nah, I just thought your hairstyle needed a change~" Akuto smirked.
The next moment—
Boom!
The water orb that had been blocked suddenly exploded!
The blast tore through Diodora's defense, instantly reducing his carefully styled hair to a messy afro.
The incident happened so suddenly that it took him several seconds to realize what had happened.
"You dare?! You dare to touch me with your filthy power!"
Boom!
Diodora's aura flared, the might of a high-class devil bursting out as the wooden floor beneath him shattered.
Just as the fight was about to ignite, Asia stepped between them.
"Please, both of you, stop!"
She spread her arms, standing between the two.
She first bowed deeply to Diodora.
"Thank you for your offer, Lord Diodora. I am truly grateful. It brings me joy to see you again."
"But… I already promised Lord Akuto I would become his retainer. I must honor my word. Forgive me!"
Turning, she looked at Akuto.
"Lord Akuto, let us finish our contract."
"…Very well. Asia, just press your handprint on the final page." Since she'd spoken so firmly, Akuto saw no need to escalate things here with Diodora.
…
Soon, Asia signed the contract, a smile of relief on her face.
To her, with the pact sealed, there was no reason for further conflict between the two devils.
"Well then, Asia. Since you've made your decision, I'll respect it." Though he said the words, Diodora's tone showed he wasn't giving up.
The next moment, he turned toward Akuto.
"Akuto Leviathan, name your price~"
If he couldn't sway Asia, perhaps he could bargain with Akuto.
"You must be short on retainers right now. If you hand Asia over to me, I'll give you a powerful one immediately!"
"How about a Bishop with strength on par with an ordinary Queen?"
Even as he made his offer, Akuto heard the system chime.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, host has triggered an Evil Path Mission.]
[Mission Rank: Blue]
[Mission Requirement: Break Diodora's composure.]
[Note: The deeper the break, the higher the reward.]
Akuto smiled at the task that fit his desires perfectly.
"Diodora, how about this~"
"If you can defeat me in battle, I'll hand Asia over to you. How does that sound?"
…
Of course, even Akuto knew this would lower Asia's favorability toward him, but he still chose this path without hesitation.
To clear missions quickly, conventional methods weren't enough.
Both Asia and Diodora froze.
"Lord Akuto! Lord Diodora! I am not your prize to be wagered! Please respect my will!" Asia cried immediately.
Truthfully, she felt disappointed.
She never expected Akuto to be so reckless—to treat her like a bet between himself and Diodora.
Had she… chosen wrong?
Unlike her sorrow, Diodora nearly leapt with joy.
"Hahahaha! Good! It's a deal!"
"If I win, Asia will be mine!"
…
"So, a duel then? Seems I arrived at just the right moment."
At the doorway stood a silver-haired maid, who had appeared without anyone noticing.
"Grayfia?"
Akuto glanced at her, then at the Book of Leviathan in his storage.
[So that's it. She must have sensed Diodora's magic through the book, and rushed here.]
Normally, transporting one's body from the Underworld to the human world across dimensions would take at least thirty minutes of preparation.
Otherwise, in the original story, Rias wouldn't have had to hold on herself while waiting for Sirzechs' help.
For Grayfia to arrive this quickly, Akuto could only conclude—she had already been in the human world all along. And she'd been watching him.
[From now on, unless necessary, I shouldn't keep the Book of Leviathan on me.]
As Akuto studied her, Grayfia studied him in return, intrigued.
In just one day, he had advanced from low-class devil level to mid-class devil.
Interesting. Truly interesting.
For the first time, Grayfia felt regret about having used him as bait for the Old Maou faction.
Unfortunately, that had been a decision from the Underworld's upper echelons. All she could do now was report Akuto's progress, and hope perhaps the plan could be altered.
(End of Chapter)
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