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Ravel looked at Edgar and, for reasons she couldn't quite explain, felt her nerves tighten.
If before it had been all for the sake of her family—
Now, it was for herself.
The temptation of rising beyond even a Demon Lord was just too sweet to resist.
"Alright then, I'll follow your lead."
Edgar smiled faintly, making a graceful gesture of invitation.
"In that case, Master, please come with me."
Ravel's cheeks flushed pink at those words. She couldn't help it.
She boldly took Edgar's hand in hers and led her out of the grand hall.
The Phenex family really lived up to its reputation as a pure-blooded house. The depth of their heritage ran through everything—even something as simple as a vase was placed with deliberate care and artistry.
As she guided Edgar through the halls, Ravel chatted about the family estate. Before long, they arrived at a pink-colored room filled with plush dolls, each one radiating an almost overwhelming cuteness.
"Master," Ravel said, cradling Edgar's slender hands in both of hers and staring earnestly into her eyes, "whether you believe me or not, I truly don't hold the slightest grudge in my heart."
She drew in a breath, her voice soft but steady."My feelings—can you sense them?"
Edgar held her gaze, searching, measuring. "Hmm…"
Catching that look, Ravel's face grew warmer, tinged with nervous pink.
"I think," Edgar said with calm seriousness, "your sincerity still isn't quite enough."
Ravel accepted it without complaint. She was determined to prove herself, to erase the distance between them.
Edgar reached out and gave her a gentle head pat, letting a surge of power flow through.
"Master, wait—what's happening? Did my level… go up?" Ravel's eyes widened with delight as she glanced toward the window, her face shining with surprise.
"This is one of the perks of being my servant," Edgar explained matter-of-factly.
Ravel turned back, her gaze shimmering with admiration and a hint of affection."So Master even has such an incredible ability?"
For a moment, her vision swam, illusions flickering before her eyes—yet all of them quickly dissolved, leaving only Edgar's tall, imposing figure in their place.
"Of course. No god or devil could ever compare to Master's greatness."
Moved to tears, she let them spill freely.
And as they fell, the fabled Tears of the Phenex stirred to life on their own.
Ravel's brows knitted tightly.
Edgar: "…"
Well, damn.
As expected of a legendary treasure said to heal any wound—it was powerful. Too powerful. All the careful work he'd done just now had been wiped away.
Still, there was no rush.
And he wasn't the kind of person to quit halfway.
Meanwhile, at the Lucifuge family castle.
In the drawing room, Grayfia lounged in a chair, her snow-pale toes tapping against the floor, her mood far from calm.
"That little brat Edgar… it's been ages since he's contacted me," she muttered with puffed-up cheeks.
"Don't tell me… he's gone and fallen for some shameless floozy in the human world?"
As she grumbled, she pulled out her phone. Thanks to the advances of human technology, the Underworld had kept up as well—these magical devices could connect across realms without issue.
And then—
Her eyes froze on a notification.
"Riser's… dead?"
"Edgar did this?"
Grayfia shot upright, shock written all over her face.
But then again… it wasn't impossible. That scumbag was Rias's fiancé, wasn't he?
So what was this—an act of passion, killing for love?
Grayfia quickly dialed.
"Grayfia-sis, you already know?"
"Edgar, did you really kill Riser?"
Holding the phone in one hand and twirling a ponytail with the other, Edgar replied smoothly while keeping busy, "Don't worry. The Phenex family isn't pursuing it anymore."
"Anyway, I've got some things to take care of. Let's talk later."
And with that, the call ended.
On the other side.
Hearing the sharp beeping sound, Grayfia's heart skipped a beat.
What the hell was that just now?
She pressed a hand to her chest, unsettled.
Could it be that Rias and Edgar… had already started?
"No, impossible. Edgar's always been serious about training. It has to be some kind of special cultivation method."
Grayfia clenched her fist, trying to convince herself. "Yes, that must be it."
Otherwise, how could he have killed Riser inside the Phenex family's castle in such a short time?
"He must have been training insanely hard during this period."
She nodded firmly to herself. "And Rias… she must have stepped in only because of their childhood bond."
Even as she told herself that, her whole body was itching to teleport over immediately.
But she couldn't. Not yet.
Even if the Phenex family decided to let it go, the other pureblood devil families would definitely blow up over this.
And she would have her hands full dealing with that mess.
The next morning.
Edgar stretched lazily, feeling refreshed from head to toe.
Sensing his movement, Ravel let out a soft, half-asleep murmur.
"Master… you fed me too much, I'm stuffed…"
Smack!
Edgar gave her a light slap, leaving a faint handprint on her skin.
"Alright, enough. Come back to the human world with me."
Hearing that, Ravel forced herself to sit up.
"Mhm…" She yawned, showing off a surprising endurance for someone her size.
It hadn't been long, but her progress was already obvious.
At this rate, it wouldn't be long before she reached the level of a high-class devil.
Once she had freshened up, her petite frame carried a mature, almost wifely allure.
Since they were heading to the human world, Ravel first informed her brother, then immediately started packing.
Clothes alone filled several large bags.
And that wasn't even counting the mountain of jewelry.
Edgar stared. "…Seriously?"
Wasn't this enough to stock an entire department store?
He sighed. "Anything else you need to drag along?"
"No, Master," Ravel said quickly, a little embarrassed for keeping him waiting so long.
"Good. Then let's go."
Edgar slipped an arm around her slender waist as a magic circle lit up beneath their feet.
Kuoh Academy.Occult Research Club.
Edgar and Ravel's figures appeared as the magic glow faded.
Sensing the familiar aura, Rias rushed over immediately. The instant she saw Edgar standing there, she exhaled in relief.
So he's fine.
Ever since hearing the news that Edgar had killed Riser, she had been sick with worry. What if something had happened to him?
But now it seemed everything was alright.
At least, until her eyes landed on the girl standing beside him. Rias froze for a second.
Great. So all that worrying was for nothing. This guy… always has to bring another girl back, doesn't he? At this rate, his villa really won't have enough rooms.
"You're here, Rias," Edgar said casually. "This is Ravel, my new servant."
Ravel pinched the hem of her dress and curtsied gracefully. "Greetings, next head of the Gremory family. I'm Ravel Phenex."
"…She's from the Phenex family?" Rias blinked, her expression turning complicated.
"Riser was her brother, wasn't he?"
"Yep," Edgar said without hesitation. "Something wrong with that?"
Rias: "…"
What kind of insane move was this?
Honestly, she was starting to admire his audacity.
"…Forget it. As long as you're safe, that's what matters."
"Haha, of course I'm fine," Edgar grinned. "Oh, and about the Phenex family matter, I'll need your brother to step in."
Although he wasn't worried, Fia would definitely step in by now.
And with Sirzechs lending a hand, the pressure would ease considerably.
"I already told my brother about this. There's nothing to worry about," Rias spoke calmly. "According to him, it might be troublesome, but it's nothing we can't handle."
"I see. Then what kind of reward do you want?" Edgar asked, his smile carrying a teasing undertone.
"W-What…?" Rias's cheeks flushed. She glanced sideways at Edgar—then quickly at Akeno, who was right next to him.
Going together with him… maybe not.
"…Anyway, if you ever feel like it, come find me. You're always welcome," Edgar said with a light laugh.
After leaving the old school building, Ravel clung tightly to Edgar's arm, her eyes darting left and right as they walked down the street. She looked practically giddy.
"What? Haven't you been to the human world before?" Edgar asked, giving her a puzzled look. "Do you really need to be this excited?"
"Hehe, back then I was just a kid," Ravel replied with a wide grin. "But seeing it now, everything's changed so much!"
"Master, will you take me around for a while?" she asked sweetly.
It was a reasonable enough request from his servant, and of course Edgar wasn't about to refuse.
Dates like this were something he already had plenty of practice with.
Ravel was like a curious little explorer, fascinated by everything she saw.
They strolled along the bustling shopping district, Ravel completely losing herself in the experience—wanting to try everything she laid her eyes on.
"This girl…" Edgar sighed helplessly as he trailed behind her.
This didn't feel like a date anymore. It felt like he was babysitting his daughter.
Just as he was about to catch up to her, something else caught his attention.
A flicker of violet.
A girl with long, flowing purple hair draped naturally over her shoulders. Her delicate, striking face was framed by smooth, porcelain-like skin, soft as polished jade.
Her figure was both tall and curvaceous, her waist trim and tight without a hint of excess. A pink outer garment accentuated her chest, while the long violet skirt she wore swayed elegantly over hips as round as ripe peaches. Black thigh-high socks hugged her legs, emphasizing their perfect shape.
"…She looks familiar. Which anime character was she again?"
Edgar opened his system panel, and sure enough—an active devil's contract shimmered beside her name.
"Mm… well, whatever. Since she's right here, might as well make her a servant."
Changing direction, he started walking toward the girl.
Sitting on a bench, Hitagi Senjougahara noticed his approach.
Handsome. Definitely her type.
But right now… romance was something completely out of the question for her.
Without hesitation, Senjougahara spoke first. "Sorry. Not interested. Not dating."
"..."
Edgar froze.
Seriously? He hadn't even said anything yet!
That combo of blunt words hit him so hard he swallowed back what he'd been about to say.
Senjougahara felt his gaze linger and frowned.
Why hasn't he left yet?
If he kept pushing, her next words were bound to cut deeper. Maybe that would be too harsh…
She hesitated.
But Edgar finally spoke again. "No need to reject me so fast. My job is to help people, after all."
"I don't need help," Senjougahara answered flatly, her tone sharp as a blade.
Edgar only smiled, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "Don't be so sure."
"…?"
"After all, I'm a devil. And wishes granted by a devil are far more precious than you think."
Senjougahara froze in place, caught completely off guard.
"..."
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