Chapter 216 Threat
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Maria had lived in the most remote reaches of the Underworld ever since she was born, and even though Akira was already an adult, she had not even performed the act of absorbing essence, a defining trait of the Succubus race. Matters regarding Evil Pieces and Peerage households were entirely beyond her reach. Shela had likely assumed the same, as she had never even bothered to bring the subject up.
After giving Naruse Mio and Maria a moment to digest the information, Aki finally brought up the matter of the two sisters being hunted.
”Maria,” Aki said, his voice level and steady. “Didn’t your mother tell you how to resolve this? You cannot just keep hiding forever, can you?”
”Um…” The Succubus girl looked around at everyone, appearing somewhat embarrassed. “Mom said to hide for a month until the Three Factions summit concludes. Then, we are supposed to seek sanctuary with the Gremory family1…”
Aki nodded in understanding. It seemed the two families had never truly severed contact, and Shela was well aware of the Gremory family’s circumstances. Though things were currently a bit precarious, the Gremory house still boasted a Demon King and maintained its status as one of the Four Great Devil families. Once the peace treaty was signed, no one would dare stir up trouble, and protecting three “weak” women would naturally be a trivial matter.
”No, I want to go home… Mom, Dad…”
The truth was laid bare before her. Naruse Mio no longer doubted what the Succubus girl had said, but the emotional bonds forged over so many years could not simply be tossed aside. After struggling with herself for a moment, she stated firmly, “Mom and Dad are in danger. Even if we have to hide, I need to bring them with us.”
”That’s doable,” Aki replied.
If Naruse Mio’s adoptive parents were still alive, the Gremory family certainly had the ability to keep them safe. If he were not already tied up dealing with the Phoenix family, he would have intended to make a trip to the Underworld personally to take care of Zogil once and for all. If nothing had changed significantly, according to Aki’s memories, Zogil’s strength was at most at the Ultimate-Class level.
Zogil was referred to by his subordinates as a “Devil Grand Duke,” meaning he held a Duke’s title, but he was merely a Duke in a remote region whose lifespan was nearing its end. Aki was not well versed in the Devil peerage system, but he knew that all of the Four Great Families were Dukes. The heads of those families held the Duke title, which corresponded to High-Class or Ultimate-Class strength. Of course, that did not mean the Four Great Families’ top combat power was limited to that level; the stronger members were simply occupied with other duties—they would not bother acting as mere Dukes. For instance, Rias’s brother, Sirzechs, was powerful enough to be a Demon King. Sona Sitri’s sister was the same.
”Then let’s go now…”
Naruse Mio retracted her wings and pulled out her pink flip phone to check it. A bad premonition left her restless. Ever since she had confirmed that the Succubus girl was not lying, this feeling had taken hold. Nearly twenty hours had passed since she first met Naruse Maria after school, yet there was not a single text or missed call from her parents on her phone. Thinking of the Devils and demonic beasts that were hunting her, Naruse Mio did not believe for a second that her parents could stand a chance against them.
Back when Wilbert had chosen Naruse Mio’s adoptive parents from among his loyal subordinates, it was not just because they were kind-hearted; it was mainly because they were sufficiently mediocre that their sudden disappearance would not attract anyone’s attention. Having lived peacefully in the Human World for over a decade without using magic or engaging in combat, their combat abilities had likely diminished even further.
Aki knew what Naruse Mio was worried about. Not wasting any time, he immediately had Himejima Akeno prepare a transport magic circle.
”Naruse-san, where is your home?”
Just as Himejima Akeno was asking for the address to set the coordinates, Naruse Mio’s phone suddenly rang.
”It’s Mom!”
Naruse Mio answered the call, ecstatic, but the voice that came through the receiver made her heart plummet.
”You have one day. If you are not back at your house by then, prepare to collect your parents’ corpses…”
The deep, raspy voice hung up, and a photo of a middle-aged couple lying on the floor, covered in blood, was sent to Naruse Mio’s phone.
”Dad! Mom!”
Staring at her parents, whose fate was unknown, Naruse Mio angrily redialed the number, but all she got was a busy signal. The other side had no intention of negotiating.
”Mio-sama…” Maria looked at Naruse Mio with concern. “This is clearly a trap, Mio-sama. They have not contacted you this entire time because they did not want you to come back…”
The Succubus girl was right. Ten hours earlier, after losing track of Naruse Mio, the pursuers had found her adoptive parents and tried to force them to call her back. But the couple refused to yield, and with no other options, the pursuers had to figure out how to use a phone themselves. Since they rarely visited the Human World, it took them quite a while to master the device, which was why this had been delayed until now.
”No, I’m going back. I have to save Mom and Dad!”
Naruse Mio knew it was a trap, but even knowing that, she had to jump into it. She had lived with them for over a decade; they were as good as her real parents. Maria looked toward Aki, hoping he would help persuade Naruse Mio otherwise.
Aki ignored her gaze and instead said, “It seems these people have already kidnapped your parents and are likely still at your house… In that case, we need to change our destination.”
Naruse Mio gave Aki a look of gratitude and, struggling to suppress her anxiety, said, “My home is in Maple Town 5-chome, Ehime Prefecture. Can you transport us there?”
”No problem,” Aki said.
Transportation magic could traverse the Three Realms; a distance across just half of Japan was nothing.
”Akeno-senpai, set the location to the outskirts of Ehime Prefecture to avoid alerting them with the magical fluctuations.”
”Understood,” Akeno replied.
Himejima Akeno closed her eyes for a moment to lock onto the position, and the transport circle in the center of the clubroom began to shine with a dazzling light.
”It’s ready.”
Before the words were even out of Himejima Akeno’s mouth, Naruse Mio had already stepped onto the circle, and Maria quickly followed.
”Akeno-senpai, I will be back shortly. Could you please open the circle again in three hours?”
With that instruction, Aki stepped onto the circle as well. The Naruse sisters would be lucky if they could even protect themselves; rescuing hostages was impossible for them. The only reason he had agreed so readily was that he intended to handle it himself.
”Are there only three of us?” Maria snuck a glance at Himejima Akeno and the others. During her brief reveal of her true Devil form earlier, she had distinctly sensed that, aside from Asia, everyone present was stronger than her. If more people went, at least Naruse Mio’s safety would be better guaranteed, regardless of whether they could rescue the hostages.
Aki ignored her subtle maneuvering and said coolly, “It is not ‘us three,’ it is just me. You two just need to handle the directions.”
Since the Succubus girl had been able to escape pursuit, the enemy’s strength was clearly lackluster. He was more than enough on his own; more people would just create confusion. Maria knew Aki was strong, though she did not know the extent of it, but she had no choice but to follow orders.
The transport circle had already activated.
After the three vanished, Asia asked worriedly, “Akeno-senpai, will Aki-sensei be okay going alone? Why is not everyone going?”
”Don’t worry,” Himejima Akeno said, narrowing her beautiful eyes. “Koaki’s strength is more than enough. As for why we are not all going—at this particular juncture, it is best to avoid giving anyone an excuse to criticize us.”
She did not know which backwater Devil peerage Zogil belonged to, but if they all mobilized, it would clearly signify the intent for war. Because of the maintenance of pure-blood Devil lineages, the marriage contract issue between the Gremory family and the Phoenix family had yet to be resolved. If they were to get involved in a civil war with another Devil peerage now, public opinion would turn even further against the Gremory family. They might even be labeled “Devil traitors.”
Beyond that, their confidence in Aki’s strength was the key. It was no exaggeration to say that, unless a Demon King-class person took the field personally, there was virtually no one who could threaten Aki. If he went all out, even a Demon King-class fighter would have to pay a heavy price. Azazel’s incident had not happened long ago; presumably, no Demon King-class powerhouse would be foolish enough to court trouble at this time.
As for the backwater Grand Duke the Succubus girl mentioned, he clearly did not have Demon King-class strength, or he would not have waited until now to make a move on Naruse Mio. If the main boss did not have Demon King-class strength, how strong could his subordinates be? Himejima Akeno estimated they were at most High-Class Devils; otherwise, someone with Maria’s level of power would not have been able to escape all the way from Ehime, Shikoku, to Tokyo.
On the other side, a flash of red light flickered in a dark alleyway as Aki and the two sisters appeared in a city on the outskirts of Ehime Prefecture.
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Summary:
Aki, Naruse Mio, and Maria prepare for a rescue mission after Mio receives a threatening call about her kidnapped adoptive parents. Himejima Akeno initiates a transport magic circle to send the group to Ehime Prefecture. The trio departs to confront the kidnappers, leaving the others behind to avoid political complications. They arrive on the outskirts of their destination, setting the stage for a confrontation.
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Trivia:
Succubus lore dictates they absorb essence, a trait Maria has yet to perform.
Zogil is a minor Devil Grand Duke approaching the end of his lifespan.
Wilbert chose Mio’s parents specifically for their mediocrity to ensure their anonymity.
Gremory family politics are currently strained due to an unresolved marriage contract with the Phoenix family.
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Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Akira – A blond, arrogant corporate president’s son and strategist for the Naruse sisters, this mature youth abuses minor antagonist power while seeking revenge on Aki. Connected to the yakuza and ORC, he protects his allies using Underworld knowledge, Evil Pieces, the Soul Covenant Talent, and Dual Cultivation. Ultimately deeply unstable, his envy leads to his execution as he builds a contract harem.
• Maria – Shela’s daughter and a rare Demon King/Succubus Queen descendant, she is a Kuoh Academy student and peerage member who provided the initial family-secret contract ritual. Usually appearing as a petite, white-haired girl to seal her mature form, she is a playful, curious observer yet vigilant tactical aide to Aki, protector of her half-sister Mio, and a bridge to the Gremory family.
• Shela – Anxious former Succubus Queen and mother of Maria, Mio, and Lucia, this high-status, white-haired figure with curved ram horns orchestrated a plan to protect Mio. Deeply concerned for her family’s survival, she holds vital, secret knowledge regarding the Gremory family, the older generation of Devils, and the current status of the Underworld.
• Aki – A tall, handsome Kuoh Academy student and pragmatic tactician for Rias’s peerage, this youth is a hybrid Devil/Fallen Angel/Nekoshou. Wielding unique soul-binding, dual cultivation, and lightning magic, he serves as a dominant master to his growing household, including Akeno and Raynare. An SS-Class powerhouse with immense stamina, he builds his strength for the upcoming Rating Game.
• Naruse – The family name carried by Mio, her sister Maria, and their parents. This significant lineage is deeply tied to the history involving Wilbert and is central to the current pursuit.
• Mio – A busty, twin-tailed high school heroine with red hair and peach eyes, she is a powerful Naruse family member and Demon King Wilbert’s daughter. Possessing immense latent fire magic, this pure-blooded Devil loves her adoptive parents but is hunted by rival factions. Strong-willed yet inquisitive, she resists the household’s intimate contract and is protected by her sister Maria and Aki.
• Y – The first initial/part of the name Y Ddraig Goch.
• Gremory – Rias Gremory, a pure‑blood high‑class devil, sports striking crimson hair, blue eyes, a curvy elegant figure in the Kuoh Academy uniform and a prominent bust. She leads her household, governs the school’s hidden hierarchy, wields top‑level demonic power, and belongs to the prestigious Gremory family—one of the remaining Seventy‑Two Pure‑blood Demon pillars.
• Zogil – A gaunt, dying Devil Grand Duke residing in a remote region near the end of his lifespan. Serving as a power benchmark for Maria with an estimated Ultimate-Class strength, he leads a faction seeking to eliminate Mio. Due to shifting timelines, he has not yet captured Shela, and he operates as an entity potentially monitoring magical signatures.
• Sirzechs – The current Demon King of the Underworld and older brother to Rias Gremory, he is a powerful entity whose regal, commanding outward appearance reflects his high status. Serving as a crucial figurehead, his position shapes his complex relationships with both loyal allies and formidable rivals.
• Rias – Crimson-haired, green-eyed, and voluptuous, this S-Rank devil heiress is the powerful president of the Occult Research Club. She leads her peerage with high authority, managing family duties, the Rating Game, and household relocations. While navigating her drive for independence and a soul-bound contract with her partner Aki, she must balance her demonic power against its growing influence.
• Sona – Sona Sitri is a stern, beautiful S-rank Devil, Sitri family heir, and Kuoh Academy’s Student Council President, recognizable by her short black hair and glasses. Connected to a noble household with a high-ranking sister in the Underworld, she manages supernatural issues alongside Rias Gremory. As Akira’s master, she inscribed a family crest on his palm, oversees his training, and seeks his cure.
• Wilbert – The deceased former Demon King, lover of Shela, and father of Maria. Linked to the previous head of the Gremory family, he played a pivotal role in Mio’s upbringing by carefully selecting her kind, anonymous adoptive parents in the Human World.
• Himejima Akeno – A female student with black hair worn in a ponytail, characterized by a buxom physique and a previously reserved nature that has given way to an assertive, passionate demeanor during cultivation.
• Himejima – Akeno Himejima is a tall, curvaceous Kuoh Academy senior and loyal Devil retainer in Rias Gremory’s peerage. Possessing mature beauty with long black hair, her refined yet passionate nature balances a sadistic, queen-like personality with a poised, teasing demeanor. She wields golden lightning, manages surveillance and transport magic, and shares deep bonds with Rias while playfully guiding Aki.
• Akeno – Himejima is a tall, voluptuous raven-haired Orc-devil with red eyes and a high ponytail. Serving as the S-Class Vice-President of Rias’s peerage with Queen rank, this calm, elegant older student masks a teasing, assertive, and sadistic side. Fiercely loyal to her leader, she handles administration, magic support, and acts as Aki’s primary, soul-bound contract partner, longing for his attention.
• Asia – A gentle, blonde first-year nun recently reincarnated as a devil Bishop and peerage member. As an earnest, clear-headed newcomer undergoing training, she serves as a crucial healer for conflict survivors. She shows deep concern for others, harbors hopeful anticipation for her growth within the household, and holds a naive affection for Aki, whom she once tried inviting to lunch.
• Azazel – A decadent, arrogant fallen angel and former Governor General, this middle-aged man in a neon hot-spring yukata pairs a rogue personality with immense power. Pushing for involvement in the Occult Research Club, this formidable antagonist pursues a relaxed lifestyle, researches Sacred Gears, and provides the group with data and training, while being tied to an event influencing their view of Aki.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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