Leo had contacted Sona Sitri in the morning, but it wasn't until afternoon that she reached out again with a definite answer.
"My sister agreed. She'll send her servant over tomorrow. I'll have her head straight to your place."
When Sona delivered the news, her voice carried a kind of exhaustion—not physical, but the soul-deep tiredness of someone thoroughly worn out.
Leo could easily imagine what six whole hours of dealing with her sis-con Maou sister must have been like.
"Thanks, Sona."
He spoke with genuine sympathy and a touch of gratitude.
Just for her resolve alone, he decided he owed her a huge favor someday.
"It's nothing. If you need anything else, just contact me."
Sona sighed heavily, ended the call, and then transferred a large pile of books through the magic circle in the basement.
They were all related to swordsmanship—some were modern kendo manuals that taught sword basics step by step, others were collections of teachings from famous classical schools, and still others were knowledge wrested from the Church over years of conflict. After all, the Church's exorcists were specialists in melee combat, and most used swords.
Countless legendary Holy Swords from myth were now in the Church's hands, and the Church had spent generations training qualified wielders. Naturally, the books Sona sent also included records and usage guides for many Holy Swords—treasures for Asuna.
So Leo called Yukino and had her bring Asuna over to receive the books.
"Th-this many…?!"
Asuna stared at the small mountain of books and instinctively stepped back.
"Relax, I'm not telling you to read all of them." Leo chuckled when he saw her turn pale. "Start with the ones about Holy Swords. Then read the basic sword technique guides. As for the various school traditions—just look through them. If they don't suit you or you're not interested, you can skip them."
"I see…" Asuna looked somewhat relieved, still anxious but nodding. "I'll do my best."
At that moment, Yukino spoke up.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" she said. "Unlike me, who lives alone, Yuuki-san only came to Chiba City with her brother as a guest. She can't simply stay here indefinitely to study."
"Her home is in Tokyo. Her school is there too."
"She's been missing for a whole night. Her brother and family must be panicking by now. Studying is probably the last thing on their minds."
As soon as she said it, Asuna froze—then panicked.
"Oh no! I completely forgot!"
Poor Asuna—after waking up today, she'd been consumed first by the shock of last night's encounter and then by the fact she had become a devil. She'd forgotten about her family entirely.
She'd been drifting along, letting Leo make decisions because she couldn't even figure out what to do next. But when she thought carefully—did she even have the right to decide?
Her family had no idea what happened. Even if she told them, they'd think she'd lost her mind. She wasn't in a position to stay here and "be a devil." Her brother was definitely looking for her. She needed to go back to Tokyo, go home, go back to her prestigious school.
While Asuna spiraled into panic, Leo spoke calmly.
"I already thought of that." His tone was light, almost casual. "Don't worry. I've already arranged for someone to contact the Yuuki family. We'll set up a meeting with your parents to discuss your future."
Both Yukino and Asuna turned toward him, stunned.
"You already contacted my family…?"
Asuna was shocked.
"When did you do that?" Yukino looked equally surprised.
"When Asuna was still unconscious," Leo said with a relaxed smile. "She's my servant now. I can't let her have any lingering concerns."
"As my servant, she shouldn't be too far from us. Even if Tokyo and Chiba aren't far in practical terms, operating in different places is inconvenient."
"So I used some connections to reach the Yuuki family."
Just because Leo was a noble in the devil world didn't mean he lacked influence in the human world.
He had lived in Chiba City for fifteen years—fifteen years spent secretly working as a devil, handling contracts, answering summons, and granting wishes. Over time, he'd built an enormous network.
Many influential figures who had risen in Chiba's recent decades were his former clients—ordinary people who'd once been desperate to rise. Leo had cleared obstacles for them, created opportunities, nudged minds, hypnotized, brainwashed… whatever it took. Their wishes inevitably came true.
And the cost they paid meant their lives were firmly in Leo's hands.
They formed his human-world backing.
So with a bit of effort, he contacted the Yuuki family, arranged a meeting, and had already calmed Asuna's brother. No one was initiating any emergency action over her disappearance.
"I'll convince your family to let you transfer here—to enroll at Sobu High with us." Leo looked at her. "And once that's done, you'll live here as well."
Hearing that, Asuna whispered nervously:
"Is… is that really possible?"
Her family wasn't the kind you could deal with casually—especially her mother, who had mapped out her entire life in advance and would never allow a sudden transfer to "a countryside place like Chiba."
Thinking of her mother's personality, Asuna felt the whole thing was impossible.
But—
"You're underestimating me or overestimating your family." Leo smiled faintly. "Yes, the Yuuki family has influence. Your parents aren't simple people. But to me, they're still just ordinary humans."
Asuna stared blankly.
Right—her new master was a devil. A being with supernatural powers beyond human comprehension.
Against that kind of power, what could her parents possibly do?
Did she… actually gain a backer who could free her from her family's control?
Her feelings grew even more complicated.
Even Yukino felt something.
She, too, had once worried her family would come after her for living with Leo. But after Leo had effortlessly made her "perfect superhuman" sister retreat in humiliation, she realized just how insignificant her family was before a High-Class Devil.
If Leo hadn't been considerate of her feelings, he could've simply used demonic power to wipe the Yukinoshita family's minds.
Would he do that to the Yuuki family too?
Probably not—Yukino thought—but then, how would he convince them?
She couldn't help being curious.
"In any case, I'll handle everything. You two don't need to worry." Leo waved the two girls away. "Focus on what you want most right now—become stronger. Strong enough to choose your own fate."
The two girls silently picked up the books, left the basement, and exchanged a look.
"Strong enough to choose my own fate…?"
Countless thoughts filled their minds as they walked away.
Leo spread his wings and rose into the air, summoning winds and swirling clouds as he plunged back into training.
......
Chiba City — a quiet district
Near the central area stood a grand church.
Its exterior was simple, but its interior was solemn and magnificent. The chapel was vast, and at its deepest point stood a ten-meter-tall statue of Jesus, radiating authority and filling the hall with a sacred stillness.
The entire place was empty—as if intentionally cleared.
Until Yukinoshita Haruno arrived.
"Welcome to the Chiba Church, Yukinoshita Haruno-san."
A charming nun greeted her.
It was Sharon Holygrail.
"You were the one who sent that letter to me? Saying you had something important to talk about?" Haruno eyed her—this nun who didn't look like a nun at all. "In this day and age, you still contact people by handwritten letter? And deliver it without being noticed? Is the Church always this old-fashioned and impressive?"
"I only want to talk," Sharon said, smiling brightly. "About something related to your sister."
Haruno frowned—then relaxed.
"Then I'll listen."