"By the way, Linde, can't you turn on the air conditioning?"
Linde silently watched Rias take off her trench coat.
Air conditioning? He had turned it on.
But very quickly, Linde's gaze was already captivated.
Her long red hair burned like flames, somewhat disheveled, cascading down to her waist.
Her exquisite, flawless face had light makeup, a faint blush appearing, exuding a fatal allure.
Her light purple top was outlined by countless strips of fabric, as if it could break at any moment, highlighting a breathtaking cleavage.
The black miniskirt was perfectly positioned, and with just a slight movement, a glimpse of scenery could be caught.
Her jade-like legs were covered in black stockings, presenting perfect proportions.
If the usual Rias was a hundred points.
Now, Linde only wanted to give her two more points, and offer the rest of the score in the form of '666'.
After a moment of daze, Linde's expression became strange.
Something was off.
Twelve out of ten points, something was off.
What was this childhood friend of his playing at?
Noticing Linde's gaze, a blush appeared on Rias's face, and she couldn't help but feel a little flustered.
Was the battle attire she chose a bit too outrageous?
But now.
The arrow was already on the string.
Rias took a step forward and sat down in front of Linde.
A faint, elegant fragrance wafted towards him.
"Cough, cough."
Linde looked at the surging sight so close in front of him and lightly coughed.
"Rias, what exactly do you want to talk about today?"
If the other party wasn't his childhood friend,
He respected her, but he probably wouldn't be able to hold back.
"Nothing, just to express my gratitude for your help today."
Rias said with a light smile, "And I wanted to come and see if you were injured."
Her tone was gentle, full of concern.
But… whether I'm injured or not, what does it have to do with my hand? Don't cling to it.
Watching all this, Linde's eyelids twitched.
Good heavens.
"157" Good heavens.
Why hadn't he noticed before,
That his childhood friend was like this?
"Whew!"
Linde took a deep breath, steadying his emotions.
The fragrance, however, grew even stronger.
Then... he completely lost control.
"..."
Noticing Linde's change, Rias's pupils constricted.
Oh no.
His appearance gave nothing away.
Would she get hurt?
For some reason, Rias started to worry about herself.
But soon.
She made up her mind.
There was nothing for it.
Eating delicious food was the same for both men and women.
Linde said earnestly, "Don't worry, I'm not hurt."
Since she asked, he naturally had to tell the truth.
As for the rest...
Of course, he couldn't respond.
Hearing this, Rias bit her lip slightly.
"No, I don't believe you."
"That was a ten-winged Fallen Angel, an existence infinitely close to a Demon Lord."
"Rias, I'm really not hurt, no need to lift my collar."
"Stop talking nonsense, let me take a good look."
The sound of their argument grew softer and softer, and crunching sounds were incessant.
"Linde, my strength has really increased."
Rias had already been at the Upper-level Demon stage for a long time.
But no matter how hard she tried, the realm above remained out of reach.
Once a Devil reached the Upper-level Demon level, their strength underwent a qualitative change.
To improve further was not so easy.
But now it was completely different.
She could keenly sense that the path to High-Class Devil had become incredibly clear.
Now Rias finally understood why Miyano Shiho and the others leveled up so quickly.
"Are you satisfied now? If you want to improve quickly, you also have to work hard, you know?"
"Hmph, I know."
Rias gave Linde a sidelong glance, her eyes like silk.
She began to work even harder, devouring the energy that made her stronger.
In this cycle, intense emotions filled her brain.
She forgot who she was, only feeling the cells in her body cheering.
"By the way, Rias, if you want to become stronger, would you like to become my Retainer/Subordinate?"
"Hmm…"
Before Rias could react, Linde explained, "Don't worry too much."
"You've already realized my uniqueness. My Reincarnation Ritual doesn't rely on devil chess piece, so it won't affect your relationship with your Retainer/Subordinate."
Rias was already somewhat unable to think, but she still understood Linde's meaning.
She nodded and said, "Okay… I… I agree."
Hearing this, Linde didn't hesitate, letting the blood from his index finger drip onto Rias's skin.
Buzz!
A brilliant light appeared, and countless mysterious characters flashed by.
A piece of attribute information had silently appeared.
[Rias Gremory]
[Race: Devil]
[Master: Linde Lucifugu]
[Level: LV37]
[skill: Destruction Magic Power, Destruction Demonic Eye]
[Destruction Magic Power: A magical power characteristic originating from the Gremory Family, second to none in terms of destruction.]
[Destruction Demonic Eye: Unrelated to any resistance or weakness, a destructive eye that can destroy all objects.]
As expected of you, Rias.
Looking at the attribute information, Linde's eyes also lit up.
These two skills were both born for destruction.
With Destruction Magic Power, he could probably impersonate someone from the Gremory Family from now on and be believed.
Moreover.
"This Destruction Demonic Eye is probably my most powerful skill right now."
Linde's eyes flickered with dark and profound light, and his fingertips gently stroked her jade-like back.
Noticing Linde's actions, Rias no longer cared about the changes within her body; intense emotions had already surged into her brain.
Her only thought now was to fiercely raise her level.
The next morning.
It was still dimly lit.
Linde had already gotten up early and gently stretched.
Although he had barely slept all night, it had no effect at all.
His strength was too great, far beyond the scope of normal human understanding.
As for the gains, Linde was quite satisfied.
[experience 1006]
[experience 1087]
[experience 2005]
Among all the Retainer/Subordinates, Rias was the first to work so hard for her first upgrade.
She fainted more than ten times back and forth, but remained incredibly resilient.
Should he say, as expected of an Upper-level Demon?
Perhaps among all the Retainer/Subordinates, only Esdeath could compare.
Oh right.
There was one more who was definitely stronger, but he hadn't had a chance to try yet.
As he thought this, a soft moan came.
Linde turned to look, only to see Rias already opening her eyes somewhat groggily.
"Hiss…"
As soon as she woke up, Rias frowned, feeling a twinge of pain.
"Be careful."
Linde put his arm around Rias's head, gently stroking her head.
"Mmm…"
Feeling Linde's gentleness, Rias's lips curled slightly.
But soon, she pinched Linde, saying jealously, "Are you like this with your other Retainer/Subordinates too?"
"How could that be? Only you are my childhood friend, you are special."
Linde embraced Rias, whispering in her ear.
This was a lie.
But he wasn't a fool.
Naturally, he wouldn't bring trouble upon himself.
"Hmph, sweet talk."
Although she said that, a hint of secret joy flashed in Rias's eyes.
"By the way, this is your attribute information, take a look."
Rias, who took it casually, began to read.
At first, there was nothing much.
But soon, her eyes lit up.
[Eye of Destruction]?
This was simply an upgraded version of their family's Destruction Magic Power.
Wherever her gaze fell.
The Light of Destruction would annihilate everything.
What a domineering skill!
She smiled and murmured softly:
"This is great. With this Eye of Destruction, I believe even the Undying Body of the Phoenix Family will definitely not be able to withstand it."
"Still thinking about your engagement, huh?"
Linde shook his head with a laugh, "Actually, you don't have to worry. I'm about to go resolve this matter."
"???"
Rias was a little bewildered.
"You don't really think I'd let you, my childhood friend, fall into someone else's hands, do you?"
He hadn't acted before purely because there was plenty of time and his strength wasn't sufficient.
But now.
Although he hadn't reached the level of not eating beef.
He no longer had to be timid about everything.
"Don't be reckless! Even if you are a Demon Lord now, some things are not easy to shake."
Rias was first touched, then worried.
"Don't worry, I have a sense of proportion, no need to worry."
After comforting Rias, Linde walked into the bathroom.
There were too many marks on his body; it was uncomfortable not to shower.
Underworld!
Phoenix Family Castle.
Inside the study.
Levar, the next head of the Phoenix Family, was sitting at his desk.
Creak—
The door was pushed open, and a man in a red suit, without a tie, and with a somewhat fierce expression, walked in.
He was the third young master of the Phoenix Family.
Riser Phoenix.
"I told you to go to the Human World to see your fiancée and foster some affection, so why haven't you done anything?"
Levar expression was quite displeased.
As the leader of the family, he had to consider its interests.
This marriage alliance, for the benefit of the pure-blooded families, had to proceed.
Riser leaned back on the sofa, crossing his legs: "What's there to go for? When the time comes, we'll just get married."
Levar shook his head, lamenting his brother's lack of ambition: "Do you really think this marriage is set in stone?"
"Even if this alliance was jointly promoted by all the pure-blooded families, it's not necessarily going to happen."
He had deep worries.
In fact, he had already noticed it long ago.
Rias's brother, Sazex, was not satisfied with this engagement.
As one of the Four Great Devil Kings, and an Beyonder himself.
His strength was already top-tier in the Underworld.
He didn't openly object, merely playing by the rules.
But if one day he decided to overturn the table...
Those old fogeys might not be of much use.
Ultimately,
this world still respected strength.
Just then, in the distant sky, clouds exploded, and a figure appeared above the Phoenix Family's castle.
Boom!
A vast and mighty pressure permeated downwards, directly shaking the atmosphere, and the entire Phoenix Family's castle began to tremble continuously.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Countless devils and servants in the castle were instantly pressed to the ground, trembling from head to toe.
"What on earth is happening? Whose aura is this?"
"A Devil King! Which Devil King has descended upon our Phoenix Family?"
Countless people were both shocked and furious, their faces filled with horror.
As one of the pure-blooded families, their Phoenix Family held an extremely revered status.
Since the ancient war, this was the first time someone had come knocking on their door.
Some people subconsciously looked up.
They only saw a handsome figure, dressed like an ancient noble, hovering in the air.
"Unknown Devil King, may I ask the purpose of your visit to our Phoenix Family?"
Levar, bringing Riser with him, rose into the air and bowed to Linde: "May I know the reason for your visit?"
Although angry,
his posture was very humble.
"I'm here for him."
Linde looked down, gazing at Riser beside him.
Levar glared fiercely at his younger brother, then said in a deep voice: "I don't know where Riser offended Your Excellency; he and I apologize together to Your Excellency."
"No need."
Linde smiled slightly: "I just want his life."
His voice was devoid of emotion.
But all who heard it felt a chill run down their spines.
The calmness in his voice was as if he were about to crush an ant.
Buzz!
In an instant, Levar magic power surged.
A dark red Magic Circle expanded from small to large, transforming into a visible Barrier that completely enveloped the entire Phoenix Castle.
Levar said neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Your Excellency, why do you wish to kill Riser?"
"Rias is my woman; why do you think?"
"..."
Seeing Levar fall silent, Riser, however, shouted: "Big brother, stop wasting words with him."
"I've already sent a message; help will arrive soon, and then we can definitely tear him to shreds..."
"Shut up."
His words were cut short by Levar.
Levar quickly bowed: "Your Excellency, this matter can be discussed."
"It could have been, but not anymore."
"Super Magic: Lightning Strike"
The moment his voice fell, brilliant light appeared in the sky, forming a vast Magic Circle.
Crack!
Mighty lightning descended from the sky, unleashing immense power.
Boom!
Accompanied by a deafening roar, the huge Barrier shone brightly under the power of the lightning, and visible tremors began to appear.
Countless people in Phoenix Castle turned pale, feeling their eardrums ringing.
"Hahaha, don't you see? With this Barrier, your attack is completely meaningless."
Riser laughed wildly, staring intently at Linde.
Linde's silence was his only response.
Only his gaze grew colder.
Buzz!
Crimson light shone, and the boosted gear (gauntlet of the red dragon emperor) immediately manifested.
"Boosted!"
A low voice echoed, and Linde's power instantly surged several times.
"The boosted gear (gauntlet of the red dragon emperor)?"
Levar face changed drastically, and he quickly said: "Your Excellency, please hear me out."
His response was an even mightier bolt of lightning descending from the sky.
Boom!
Accompanied by a deafening roar.
Under a lightning strike that was several times stronger, the Barrier enveloping the entire castle exploded.
Riser face had just shown a look of terror when his entire body was completely engulfed by the lightning.
"Ah ah ah..."
Screams of agony were endless, then covered by countless roars.
Bang!
Riser fell limply from the sky, crashing heavily onto the ground.
His entire body was like charcoal, yet he was still not dead.
"I possess the bloodline of the Phoenix, that is a true Undying Body; you can't kill me."
Riser stared intently at Linde, still shouting defiantly.
"Is that so?"
Linde's expression was indifferent, his clear black and white eyes turning completely dark.
The power of his Eye of Destruction made Riser and Levar instinctively tremble.
Buzz!
A flash of dark light disappeared in an instant.
Riser body vanished into thin air.
This was the Eye of Destruction; even the soul would be annihilated by it.
Having done all this, Linde looked at Levar.
"Your Excellency, please spare us."
Levar showed his submission with the noble etiquette of an ancient devil.
"Riser greatly offended you; his death is not to be regretted."
"As the next head of the Phoenix Family, I am also partly to blame, but I hope Your Excellency can spare our family."
"For this, our Phoenix Family can pay any price."
So pragmatic?
Linde's eyes flickered, and he spoke: "In that case, I want Ravel Phoenix."