Leo's estate, basement.
Before Leo and his group left the Human World, this place saw constant use every single day. But after they departed for the Underworld, it was completely abandoned. For a full month, no one set foot here, and the magic circle in the basement faded into dull obscurity.
Today, however, the magic circle lit up once more, bursting forth with a dazzling crimson glow.
Within that red light, the figures of Leo and the others slowly emerged, returning once again to the estate.
"We're back."
"Finally back."
"There's no place like home."
"Even the air feels different."
Yukino and the others spoke one after another, their expressions visibly relaxing. Even the way they dragged their suitcases seemed lighter, the atmosphere turning cheerful in an instant.
"So this is Leo-sama's residence in the Human World?"
Ravel glanced around out of habit, surveying her surroundings.
"It's pretty big."
"And it looks like there are familiars too. That should take some pressure off Rem and Sister."
Ram and Rem whispered to each other nearby, already treating this place as their future workplace.
To be honest, with familiars handling the estate's chores, there was no real need for two maids.
But since they liked it, Leo had no reason to object.
Just look at Grayfia. She was one of the strongest female devils in the Underworld, on the same level as Serafall, the current Maou Leviathan. And yet, she was still the Gremory House's maid.
She was also the wife of Sirzechs, the strongest Maou, Rias's sister-in-law, and even held the Queen piece. Yet she still worked as a maid.
Of course, in name only. In reality, Grayfia handled nearly all major and minor affairs of the Gremory House, her authority and status no different from that of the lady of the house.
Since Ram and Rem insisted on the role of maids, Leo might as well let them manage the entire estate. They could oversee the familiars and assign tasks as needed. That way, it wouldn't diminish their standing at all.
While Leo was thinking this over, a figure suddenly rushed into the basement.
"Yo, you're back."
The bright, carefree voice reached them before the person did, drawing everyone's attention to the entrance.
"Musashi-sensei!"
Asuna called out happily.
The newcomer was none other than Miyamoto Musashi.
"You stayed behind?"
Leo sounded genuinely surprised.
He had assumed that after they left for special training in the Underworld, Musashi would return there as well.
"That was on Serafall-sama's and Sirzechs-sama's orders," Musashi said, immediately understanding his surprise. "They said that although you went to the Underworld to train, the Old Maou Faction and that Hero Faction wouldn't know about it."
"So there was a chance they might send people here, or even attack this estate."
"Considering that possibility, Sirzechs-sama and Serafall-sama decided to turn the tables. They stationed people here to lie in wait, and even had some disguise themselves as you, to lure the enemy out."
"If we could capture someone, we might be able to squeeze out useful information."
Because of that, Musashi hadn't returned to the Underworld, staying behind at the estate the entire time.
"Did anyone take the bait?"
Yukino asked immediately, making everyone tense as they looked at Musashi.
"Someone did, but not the Old Maou Faction or the Hero Faction," Musashi said with a helpless shrug. "Their intelligence network seems pretty solid. They probably already knew you weren't here, so there was no movement from them this past month."
"Instead, the Church, the fallen angels, and even people from other mythologies sent a few scouts. Mostly small fry. They were probably just testing our reaction, or trying to gauge your situation."
"None of them were worth much. Even if we caught them, there was nothing useful to extract."
In other words, Musashi had gained nothing this past month.
"I see…" Utaha clicked her tongue softly, disappointed. "I was hoping we'd catch a big fish."
"Even if we didn't, it's fine," Musashi said calmly. "This was just a casual move by the Maous. If we gained something, great. If not, no big deal."
"Sirzechs-sama and Serafall-sama probably didn't expect much either. I heard they're making moves elsewhere. As long as something happens somewhere, it's not a loss."
With that, Musashi dropped the topic. Her sharp gaze swept over the group, her eyes narrowing.
"Your training results… look pretty impressive."
As a warrior, Musashi's instincts were keen. She immediately sensed the changes in Leo and the others.
The girls' growth was obvious. Each of them carried themselves differently now: calmer, steadier, no longer as inexperienced as before. Their progress was clear at a glance.
But the one who had changed the most wasn't them.
It was Leo.
That natural presence, that completely different level of existence and detachment, told Musashi that something earth-shaking had happened to him.
The change stirred her warrior's blood. When she first stepped into the basement, she'd nearly drawn her blade on instinct.
Not because she sensed danger, but because she sensed a lifeform above her own.
The urge to challenge something stronger was ingrained in her very being.
To challenge stronger opponents, to temper oneself in desperate situations, to grow without end. This was the essence of a true warrior.
So even though Musashi looked as calm and casual as ever, she'd been holding herself back the entire time. Her hand unconsciously rested on her sword hilt, temptation flaring again and again before she forced it down.
Leo noticed it too.
He could faintly feel that sharp, refined killing intent locked onto him, ready to erupt at any moment.
Another battle junkie…
His expression didn't change, but inwardly he sighed.
Tiamat was one thing. She was a dragon, a naturally aggressive race. But Musashi?
She used to be human, and now she was a devil. Neither should be this obsessed with fighting.
And yet her fighting spirit was even stronger than Tiamat's.
At least Tiamat could restrain herself. Musashi was barely holding on.
That was just who she was. Even before becoming a reincarnated devil, she'd wandered the world as a ronin, challenging powerful warriors and famous figures alike, using any means necessary to win.
After reincarnating, she saw a far broader world, encountered countless unbelievable powerhouses. Not only did that fail to dull her warrior's heart, it only made her more eager to challenge the strong.
Over the centuries, she rose from an ordinary reincarnated devil to someone just one step away from Maou-Class.
How could someone like that ignore a strong opponent who made her competitive fire burn this fiercely?
Especially when Leo had once been far weaker than her, yet now had transformed into someone who made her feel genuine pressure.
Finally, Musashi couldn't hold back anymore.
"It's still early," she said, eyes blazing as she looked at Leo. "Why don't I test how much you've grown, Leo-sama?"
Seeing this, Ravel, Ram, and Rem all changed expressions and instinctively stepped forward, only to be stopped by Yukino and the others.
"It's fine. They used to spar all the time," Mahiru said gently.
"Musashi-sensei's just feeling inspired," Asuna added with a wry smile.
"This isn't the first time," Utaha said indifferently.
"I'm curious too," Yukino said calmly. "I want to know how strong our master is now, compared to a Maou's servant."
The three exchanged glances, then fell silent.
Leo relaxed as well.
Just like they said, this wasn't their first match. There was no reason to be nervous.
They'd sparred plenty of times before.
And he'd never won once.
Now that he finally had the power… wasn't it time to get even?
His fighting spirit ignited.
"Then let's do it."
No more words were needed. Leo tossed his luggage to Ravel and stepped forward.
"Haha!"
Musashi laughed brightly, darting to stand opposite him. Her hand closed firmly around her sword hilt, her fighting spirit exploding outward without restraint.
"Let's move back," Yukino said immediately, leading the others farther away.
"Is she that strong?"
Rem asked softly, seeing how serious everyone looked.
She didn't know Musashi, and she couldn't tell how powerful the swordswoman was.
In her eyes, Leo's strength was unquestionable. He could easily defeat her even after she went berserk, something even her beloved sister couldn't do.
Unless the opponent was a Dragon King like Tiamat, there was no way her master would lose.
Or so she thought, until Ram spoke.
"…That swordswoman is probably stronger than me."
Rem froze.
"She's… stronger than you, sister?"
Ravel spoke up.
"She's the Knight piece of the current Maou Leviathan. She's fought under Leviathan-sama for hundreds of years. Her swordsmanship is said to be unmatched even across the entire Underworld."
"She's defeated fallen angel commanders and the Church's highest-ranking warriors. People from all three factions call her the strongest devil swordswoman, the 'Flower of Tengen.'"
As a daughter of House Phenex, Ravel hadn't met Musashi personally, but she knew her reputation well.
Servants under a Maou were famous figures in the Underworld, and Musashi was among the most renowned.
"She really is that strong," Ravel concluded. "Even Maou-Class beings might not be able to defeat her. Whether Leo-sama can win… it's hard to say."
As those words fell, Leo and Musashi moved.
"Shua!"
Leo unfurled his devil wings and shot into the air, instantly seizing the high ground.
"Ten wings?"
Musashi stared in shock.
Then her grin widened.
"So that's it. You really did change a lot."
Ten wings. Just one more pair than before, yet the difference was worlds apart.
Before, even with a Longinus, Leo had still been a step below her.
Now, he stood on the same level, right on the threshold of Maou-Class.
And with the world's second-strongest Longinus on top of that…
No wonder her fighting spirit was roaring.
"Looks like I can go all out from the start!"
Musashi slowly drew her twin blades.
And she meant it.
As her swords slid free, her aura swelled visibly, growing stronger by the second.
When both blades were fully drawn, tips pointing toward the ground, the pressure she released made the floor tremble.
Invisible sword energy seemed to rage through the air.
Sharp.
Keen.
Unstoppable.
Leo's response was just as simple.
"Rumble!"
Thunder rumbled overhead as dark clouds suddenly swallowed the basement ceiling.
Lightning flashed and thunder rolled, the air becoming unbearably heavy.
At that moment, the power radiating from Leo matched Musashi at full strength.
If anything, it surpassed her.
The girls all understood instantly.
This fight would far exceed any of their previous sparring matches.
A battle unlike any before was about to begin.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
You can read up to chapter 205 on patreon.com/NiaXD.