Chapter 42: The Duke's House Strategy
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Kiba Yumi slowly rose from the ground, preparing to leave. At that moment, Rias spoke softly.
"Yumi, you truly are an unworthy knight."
"That's exactly why you must return to my side and become a worthy one... understand?"
"..."
Tears streamed down Kiba Yumi's fair and delicate face, unable to be held back any longer.
"Yes, President."
"I swear I will return to your side, no matter the outcome."
As she spoke, Kiba Yumi felt the demonic sword in her hand tremble. An unprecedented sense of fulfillment and power surged through her body.
Her Sacred Gear, "Sword Birth," had entered a completely new realm!
"President, I think I finally understand what I've been missing all this time," the golden-haired knight said, wiping away her tears.
"What have you been missing?"
"Love. Love with purpose."
"My heart was filled with nothing but hatred. It was you, President, who planted love within it."
"I will do everything in my power to repay the love you've shown me."
"And I'll prove it—with this sword in my hand!"
The black demonic sword radiated a dazzling light.
It was... a holy light!
With the altered storyline, Kiba Yumi achieved her Balance Breaker in a way different from the original plot.
[Balance Breaker – Holy Demonic Knight!]
In this newly awakened state, the small amount of holy sword factor within Kiba Yumi erupted, transforming her demonic sword into a holy sword. At the same time, her body was clad in armor forged from demonic swords!
In the original storyline, Kiba Yumi's Balance Breaker was "Twin Holy-Demonic Swords" and "Holy-Demonic Dragon Knights." The Twin Holy-Demonic Swords created blades stronger than both holy and demonic swords, while the Holy-Demonic Dragon Knights granted her area-of-effect abilities.
The "Holy Demonic Knight" was different from these, but it had its own unique advantages. It enhanced Kiba Yumi's speed while also granting her formidable defensive capabilities!
Rias watched as Kiba Yumi left.
"Sona, was that...?"
"It was likely her Sacred Gear's Balance Breaker. Kiba Yumi must have unlocked it in a moment of intense emotion," Sona speculated.
"So, it seems my overprotectiveness was hindering my servants' growth after all," Rias said with a bitter smile.
"It's alright, Rias. It's good that you realize this now. It's not too late."
"Sona, can't you comfort me a little?"
"Rias, what you need isn't comfort. It's discipline."
"Sona, I hate you."
"Funny, Rias. I hate you too."
[Rias, you always manage to get what I want so easily—whether it's a servant entering Balance Breaker or your engagement to Akira.]
Meanwhile.
Akira had been working tirelessly, almost day and night.
On the morning of the third day, Akira woke up to the sound of the system notification.
[Ding!~]
[Congratulations, Host, for triggering a Villain Check-in!]
[Check-in Level: Silver.]
[Check-in Event: Duke's House Strategy.]
[Objective: Help Seekvaira Agares become the head of the Duke's House and use her as a proxy to control the family.]
"Control the Duke's House?"
"It seems it's not just me thinking this way. The system is pushing me toward becoming a shadow manipulator."
Akira muttered to himself, then reached out to stroke Seekvaira's smooth hair.
Feeling the movement, Seekvaira opened her eyes. She glanced at Akira groggily before wrapping her arms around him.
The Duke's daughter blushed slightly, her crimson eyes filled with satisfaction and reminiscence.
For over ten minutes, Seekvaira lay there, feeling Akira's heartbeat and rhythm.
She couldn't quite remember how she had ended up in this situation with Akira two days ago. But now that it had happened, she had to face reality.
"Haa..."
"Akira, what should we do? Pure-blooded demons aren't allowed to lose their chastity before marriage... It's about the purity of demonic bloodlines."
"I respect your will, Akira. Whether you want to marry into the Duke's House or have me marry into yours, I'm fine with either."
After two days of continuous intimacy, Seekvaira had temporarily snapped out of her bewitched state. Or perhaps, she had fallen even deeper.
Her previous hesitation had been due to her lack of strong feelings for Akira and her uncertainty. But now, after their closeness and witnessing Akira's strength, she was ready to face the issues she had been avoiding.
One thing was certain—she absolutely did not want to be separated from Akira.
"Respect my will, huh..." Akira smiled faintly.
"What if I said I wanted to become a Maou? Would you still respect my will?"
Seekvaira's expression turned serious as she replied.
"Akira, I support any decision you make."
"However, if you want to become a Maou... that will be a path of carnage."
"For an overthrown Maou to reclaim their throne, they must possess the resolve to break all rules," Seekvaira said, looking directly at Akira.
"Seekvaira, do you think I lack that resolve?" Akira countered.
"Of course not. Over these past few days, you've shown me your resolve quite thoroughly."
Seekvaira gently touched her slightly swollen abdomen. She hadn't eaten for two days, but thanks to Akira, she didn't feel hungry at all.
"Seekvaira, I want to become a Maou not for the sake of the Leviathan bloodline, but for myself."
"I know, Akira. You're someone with strong convictions. But the people of the Underworld won't see it that way. They'll only view you as a remnant of the old Maou. If you truly want to become a Maou, you'll have to... overthrow the current system of the Underworld."
"Then let's overthrow it. A system that only values bloodlines deserves to be torn down," Akira said calmly.
Now that Seekvaira was on his side, there was no need to hide his intentions any longer.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 75 on my patreon go take a look and remember if you reach 90 stones of power I will publish the next chapter.