It took a long moment for anyone to speak after Vali vanished into the night. The group stood in stunned silence, the adrenaline of battle finally ebbing away.
Rias was the first to break it, her voice soft but edged with worry. "Shuo… are you really planning to fight the White Dragon Emperor Vali?"
Her concern was palpable. Shuo's strength was undeniable, but Vali was one of the legendary Two Heavenly Dragons—a being even gods and Maou regarded with caution.
The others glanced at Shuo, the weight of Rias's question settling over them.
Shuo grinned, waving off their anxiety. "You guys really don't give me enough credit. Even if I don't go looking for Vali, do you think he'll just leave me alone? Besides, it's just a spar, not a duel to the death. No need to get all worked up."
He let his gaze sweep over them, his confidence infectious. "And who says I'm going to lose? I've still got a trump card up my sleeve—one that guarantees I can beat Vali. Haven't even used it yet."
That got their attention. Rias and Sona's eyes widened, shock and curiosity flickering across their faces. Was it possible Shuo had never once gone all out?
Akeno pouted, her voice lilting with playful accusation. "Ara ara, Shuo, you're so mean—still keeping secrets from us? Tell me, won't you?"
Her teasing sent a shiver down Shuo's spine. He shot her a look, silently vowing to get even later for trying to shake his composure.
He chuckled. "If it's a trump card, it's got to stay mysterious. Don't worry—you'll see it when the time comes."
Sensing he wouldn't say more, the group let it drop. Pushing further would only annoy him.
Shuo stretched, rolling the tension from his shoulders. "All in all, I'd say tonight was a win. Not only did we take down Kokabiel, but Kiba broke free from his past and awakened his Balance Breaker—the Holy Demonic Sword. Everyone's come out stronger. But…"
He trailed off, turning to Xenovia and Irina, who stood apart, their expressions clouded with uncertainty.
"Xenovia, Irina. Now that you know your God is… gone, what will you do?"
The question hung in the air. Both girls looked lost.
"We… don't know," Xenovia admitted quietly.
Shuo nodded, his tone gentle. "Kokabiel's gone, but the Holy Swords are destroyed. Your mission failed. And after fighting alongside us, if you return to the Church, they'll brand you traitors. Or worse."
Xenovia's shoulders slumped. Irina bit her lip, determination warring with fear. "I… I want to go back to the Church."
Shuo sighed, exasperated but not surprised. "You're just asking for trouble. Remember what happened to Asia and Kiba? If you go back, you might not make it out alive."
Irina's bravado cracked. She dropped to the ground, confusion etched on her face. "Then what am I supposed to do?"
Shuo knelt beside her, his tone soft but firm. "You have options. You could stay with us. We've gotten along well, haven't we?"
He glanced at Rias and Sona. "Rather than be hunted as heretics, why not become Devils? You've got two Maou's sisters right here."
Rias and Sona's eyes lit up. Two Holy Sword wielders—talent like that was too good to pass up.
Rias and Sona spoke in unison, hands outstretched. "Would you like to join my peerage?"
Xenovia and Irina froze, stunned by the offer.
Xenovia lowered her gaze, thinking it over. For her, becoming a Devil might be the best path left. But Irina, whose faith ran deeper, recoiled.
"I won't become a Devil! I'd rather go back to the Church!"
Shuo's mind raced. No way was he letting a twin-tailed beauty like Irina walk away. In one smooth motion, he scooped her up in a princess carry.
"Hey! What are you—put me down!" Irina's cheeks blazed red.
Shuo grinned. "Just need a private word with Irina. Xenovia, you can choose Rias or Sona."
With that, he strode off with Irina in his arms, leaving the rest to stare in disbelief. A moment later, Rias and Sona resumed their "battle" for Xenovia.
After a long pause, Xenovia looked up at Rias. "You're Shuo's fiancée, right? With God gone, I have a new goal—I want to have Shuo's child. Preferably a daughter. If you're okay with that, can I be your peerage member?"
The air went still. The girls all stiffened—Xenovia's bluntness was like a bomb going off.
Rias sighed, rubbing her forehead. "If you succeed, I won't object."
She'd accepted long ago that Shuo would have many women in his life. As long as she held onto her place as the main wife, she could live with it.
"In that case, I'll become your peerage member, Rias Gremory." Xenovia stood and shook Rias's hand.
Sona watched, her expression sour. The only reason Xenovia chose Rias was because of her engagement to Shuo.
"Unbelievable," Sona muttered, unable to hide her frustration.
Just then, Shuo returned, Irina's hand in his. He addressed the group. "Irina hasn't agreed to become a Devil, but she's joining us. She's one of us now."
Irina's cheeks were still flushed, but she nodded shyly.
The girls immediately started speculating.
"Shuo-kun, you didn't do anything indecent, did you?"
"Pervert-senpai definitely did something H again—hentai!"
"Shuo, what did you do to Irina?" Akeno's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Shuo just grinned. "Can't say. That's our little secret."
The truth was simple. He'd told Irina, "You don't have to become a Devil to stay with us. Maybe one day, you'll even become an Angel again—and see your Lord." At first, she hadn't believed him, but his sincerity won her over. She chose to stay.
And Shuo wasn't lying. With his system, helping his wife become an Angel someday would be a piece of cake.
At that moment, a soft chime signaled the completion of their system quests—but Shuo barely noticed. With everything settled, he led his new, expanded family home.
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