Chapter 318 Past & Purpose
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Hm, this tonkatsu is actually pretty decent today.”
Aki picked up a piece of the golden, crispy pork cutlet and asked, “Basara, you want one?”
”Much obliged,” Basara Toujou replied in a neat, formal tone.1
Sitting across from him, Basara didn’t forget his manners. After accepting it, he said, “Aki, do you want to try the salmon? It’s very fresh, sliced thin—the texture is quite good.”
Aki glanced at the soft, bright red fish, then shook his head. “No, I’ll pass.”
”Would you agree if it were a different girl offering it?”
Basara Toujou cracked a rare, clean-cut joke.
Unfortunately, Aki truly disliked raw food like salmon. In Japanese cuisine, he preferred anything deep-fried—tempura, tonkatsu, ebi fry, and so on. He simply couldn’t get into raw dishes, especially sashimi. Even native Japanese people sometimes disliked raw fish, so after a brief explanation from Aki, Basara Toujou didn’t push the issue.
The two had a decent relationship, but they rarely ate together, mostly because Aki never had the time. Still, the occasional chat with a male friend over a meal offered a unique kind of fun. At the very least, he didn’t have to watch his words or worry about who he might be neglecting.
Aki shoveled a mouthful of fluffy white rice, followed by a bite of the crispy tonkatsu, chewing slowly as he said, “Basara, you recognize those Nonaka sisters who transferred in today, right?”
Basara Toujou ate with a certain unrefined, energetic vigor, waiting until he swallowed before answering, “Yeah, when we were at the Hero Village (a secret settlement for demon fighters), we were in the same training batch.”
”So, childhood friends? And they’re the ‘Sister Flowers,’ too.”
”Childhood friends… I suppose you could call them that.”
Basara Toujou sighed, looking back. “I only lived in the Hero Village for about a year. After a certain incident, we lost touch entirely.”
”What incident?” Aki’s eyes lit up, though he tried to keep his expression calm.
Basara Toujou hesitated, but thinking of his father and his two cousins, and considering he had already told Aki much more important things, this didn’t seem like a secret he needed to keep anymore.
He thought for a moment before saying, “The Hero Clan uses Spiritual Power, but under normal circumstances, it’s no match for Devils, so it has to be used with holy relics (special sacred items).”
”Holy relics?” Aki paused, a thought coming to him. “Something like that Brynhildr you wield?”
”Yeah.”
Aki: “…”
He rolled his eyes. “You could’ve just said ‘Sacred Gear (a hereditary magic weapon)’ and been done with it.”
”My bad, I’m just used to the terminology,” Basara Toujou said, his neutral tone sounding sheepish as he rubbed the back of his head.
Aki had learned about the Hero Clan back when he first met the Toujou duo, especially after drilling Basara extensively about his Brynhildr. He’d discovered that the Hero Clan’s ability to summon weapons at will and instantly put on armor in battle was simply the mastery of a Sacred Gear and its Balance Breaker (an advanced power-up form) mode. The only difference was that their Sacred Gears were passed down in families; if you were recognized by one, you could use it. When a user died, the Sacred Gear didn’t choose a random host—it was taken back by the Hero Clan. As for it being stolen… nobody else could use it anyway, and the Clan could always trade something else to get it back.
Aki continued to listen to Basara’s story while he ate. The “accident” was similar to what he remembered, but the outcome had shifted slightly. An S-Rank “Evil Spirit” that had been sealed by the Hero Village for a long time broke free and launched a fierce attack on the village. Jin Toujou hadn’t been in the village at the time, so the other heroes fought with all their might. In the original version of events, they should have been pushed back, leading to a disaster where Basara watched his friends and family fall one by one. It was only when he witnessed an Evil Spirit charging at his childhood friend, Yuki, that his mind hit a breaking point, triggering a wild “Banishing Shift (a power that erases attacks).” He ended up saving Yuki and the entire village, only to be looked upon with disgust by his own people for his dangerous ability. He was locked up, and eventually, he and Jin were driven out.
That was how it was supposed to go. But in reality, the S-Rank Evil Spirit had been held back. The Hero Village suffered casualties and losses, but they were manageable. Basara Toujou had joined the battle using his Banishing Shift, and while he helped, the fight also exposed how dangerous his lack of control over the ability really was. After he acquired Brynhildr, his power grew even more, and fearing he would lose control, the Hero Village had Jin Toujou take him away.
Having heard this, Aki felt it made much more sense than his original memories. If an S-Rank monster could basically slaughter the entire Hero Village, it would just mean that—aside from Jin—every other hero was trash. If that was all the strength the Hero Village had, they wouldn’t have been able to make a name for themselves in this world at all.
”Then you must know those two sisters, too. Why didn’t you say hi?”
Basara Toujou finished off the rest of his meal and drank some water before continuing, “I know them, yeah, but we aren’t close. Besides, I suspect they were sent by the village to carry out a mission.”
”I don’t want to get too involved with them until I’m sure of their objective.”
Aki glanced up at Basara Toujou, then lowered his head to finish his lunch in silence. Basara seemed to catch onto what he was thinking and added, “Don’t worry about me. I really am not close with them. We aren’t even what you’d call casual friends.”
Aki nodded without speaking, continuing to eat his lunch in a slow, measured manner. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be fast; it was just that after eating with girls so often, he’d developed the habit of eating in small, slow bites.
”Though, I don’t think the Nonaka sisters are going to be easy to ‘conquer.’”
Basara Toujou, having finished his food and feeling bored, whispered, “If you’re really interested, I’d suggest starting with Kurumi. She acts tough at first, but she’s actually way easier to get along with than the cold-hearted Yuki.”
Aki certainly had some ideas regarding the Nonaka sisters. There was no other reason—they fit his aesthetic and personal tastes perfectly, and his Peerage (a Devil’s group of servants) was still missing quite a few members. However, he didn’t agree with Basara Toujou’s assessment. To think a mere virgin was trying to teach him how to pick up girls. Ha, laughable. Whether it was Yuki or Kurumi Nonaka, they were both simple girls raised in Yamamura. Yuki in particular might seem cold, but she actually had the potential to become dangerously possessive. If he were actually dating, Aki’s reputation might be a bit of a hurdle, but if he were just looking to “conquer” them, he had plenty of methods.
Meanwhile, elsewhere. While Aki and Basara Toujou were chatting in the cafeteria, Rias was talking to the Nonaka sisters as well.
”What business does the Hero Clan have here all of a sudden?”
Rias sat behind her office desk, leaning back against the chair with a lazy air as she looked at the two sisters before her.
Nonaka Yuki stated, “We are here to monitor you all, especially that special Peerage of yours who possesses the Dual Cultivation Ability (a power to grow stronger through intimacy).”
Rias’s brow twitched. “I recall we haven’t violated any treaties.”
Kurumi Nonaka stared at the impressive size of Rias’s chest with a hint of envy, but remained serious as she said, “But the power you’ve gathered here has crossed the danger line. At any moment, it could cause lasting damage to the Human World.”
Numerous factions had territory and power within the Human World, but that power was subject to strict limits. Otherwise, if they started causing trouble, it would be easy for uncontrollable, severe incidents to occur. Because of Aki’s Dual Cultivation Ability, everyone in the Occult Research Club had reached an average of SS-Rank. Add the Naruse sisters, Basara Toujou, and Yubelluna, who had recently become part of Ravel’s Peerage, and this group held power that couldn’t be underestimated anywhere—not even the hero branch in Japan (the village) was that powerful. Especially after the news of Kokabiel’s death spread, it was only natural that the Hero Village couldn’t just sit by.
Nonaka Yuki added coolly, “If you had violated the treaty, we wouldn’t be here to monitor you. We’d be here to investigate.”
Akeno Himejima flipped through the documents and files in her hand. “But we haven’t received any official notice.”
”This was a last-minute decision by the village. The relevant paperwork will follow.”
Although Kuoh Academy was property of the Gremory household, since it was in the Human World, they couldn’t avoid dealing with the Hero Clan and the authorities. The Nonaka sisters’ transfer hadn’t been told to Rias in advance. Or rather, before they arrived, the officials in charge had simply assumed they were two normal students.
Tapping her delicate fingers against the desk, Rias thought for a moment before saying, “Understandable. But the monitoring can only begin once the official documents are delivered.”
Nonaka Yuki said, “Understood. I will urge the village to speed it up.”
Both sides took a step back, reaching a first agreement.
—
Summary:
Aki and Basara discuss their past and the Nonaka sisters over lunch, clarifying the nature of the Hero Village incident. Simultaneously, Rias negotiates with the Nonaka sisters in her office regarding their sudden surveillance mission. Both parties reach a tentative, professional agreement to wait for official documentation before proceeding.
—
Trivia:
- The Hero Clan relies on both Spiritual Power and holy relics (Sacred Gears) to combat Devils.
- Basara’s “Banishing Shift” incident resulted in him being exiled rather than the entire village being destroyed.
- The Hero Village does not have a random host system for Sacred Gears; they are recovered by the Clan.
- The Nonaka sisters’ transfer was an uncoordinated move that surprised Rias.
- Aki has developed a slow eating habit influenced by dining with girls.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Basara – A handsome, spiky-haired Kuoh Academy student and magic novice, this pragmatic tactical thinker survived the Hero Village incident. Wielder of the holy sword Brynhildr and the Banishing Shift, Jin Toujou’s son and Aki’s ally is alienated by the Hero Clan. Driven to rescue his mother from the God-faction, he hosts his allies’ planning base to investigate enemies of the Gremory household.
• Aki – A tall, handsome Kuoh Academy strategist and King-status devil with a powerful, dragon-like physique and scumbag-like charisma, he wields Dual Cultivation and soul contracts to heal, empower, and psychologically condition his growing harem of schoolgirl knights and supernatural companions. A master of magical tool control and Evil Piece distribution, he pragmatically expands his peerage while indulging his immense sexual stamina and appetite, balancing flirtatious charm with dominant control as he ascends toward Demon King-class power.
• Toujou – Toujou is the family name carried by Basara and his father, Jin, connecting them to the Hero Clan and an ongoing conflict. Associated with Basara—a powerful individual whose existence is known to Aki—the surname is recognized for representing high combat potential and formidable strength.
• Nonaka – The Nonaka family name, carried by sisters Yuki, Ikumi, Yuzuki, and Kurumi, belongs to professional and composed surveillance operatives who serve as monitors. One of the sisters acts as a dedicated sister figure involved in the security detail for Mio amidst recent developments.
• Y – The first initial/part of the name Y Ddraig Goch.
• Yuki – Shinomura Yuki is a busty mixed-blood demon, Kuoh transfer, and Kurumi’s sister in the Nonaka clan. Sporting white-gold hair and indigo eyes, this Hero Clan intelligence monitor hides a stubborn, potentially yandere nature behind a calm, cold facade. While committed to escaping her village with Kurumi, she struggles with a growing, nervous intimacy toward the protagonist, Aki.
• Jin – A handsome, middle-aged man with half-rimmed glasses and a penchant for smoking, this powerful Hero Clan figure masks formidable strength behind a composed exterior. As Basara Toujou’s father and guardian, his connection to Naruse Mio leads to the exposure of her identity and Hero Clan attention, forcing him to navigate complex Underworld allegiances while preparing to travel abroad.
• Kurumi – A petite, spirited girl with a pale purple ponytail, she is a Hero Clan member and one of the transferred Nonaka sisters. Tasked with the surveillance and tactical assessment of Mio, this tsundere is easier to get along with than her sister, Yuzuki. She shares a deep sisterly bond with Yuki and ultimately chooses not to report her mission to the village.
• Rias – A key source of intelligence for the group, known for her high-level tactical ability. A prominent female figure within the Gremory household. She acts as a tactical advisor and protector, providing emotional support and safety for Mio and Maria.
• Yubelluna – An A+-rank magic user with a curvaceous figure and long purplish-red hair, specializing in explosive and barrier spells. Formerly a Phoenix-clan devil who loved Riser Phoenix and aimed to be the first cultivator, she now enjoys freedom in the Human World after his incapacitation. She has recently joined Ravel’s Peerage to pursue a new path.
• Kokabiel – A burly, twelve-winged obsidian Fallen Angel former executive and war-obsessed antagonist with an arrogant disposition. This Demon King-class combatant survived the Three-race war, led the main combat faction, stole the Holy Swords, and summons Hellhounds and Light Spears. Defeated by the protagonists, this notorious, battle-maniac cadre is now destined for solitary confinement in the Ice Prison.
• Naruse – Mio Naruse, a young transfer student and heir to Demon King power tied to Wilbert, is protected by the Gremory household from Zolgear’s schemes. Alongside Maria, her parents are Occult Research Club members. Her adoptive parents are ordinary-looking, middle-aged people—a father once thought dead, and a gentle mother bonded deeply with Mio and acquaintance Ras—while Aki fosters emotional ties with Mio.
• Ravel – A blonde, twin-tailed Phoenix princess and pure-blooded Devil, this sharp-tongued yet kind-hearted heiress serves Queen Rias while aiding Aki’s return. Clad in ornate lolita attire with flaming wings, she facilitates Dual Cultivation arrangements. Though protective and anxious about new peerage members, she remains deeply devoted to Rias and Aki, tirelessly supporting their recovery efforts.
• Akeno Himejima – Akeno Himejima is a beautiful, elegant senior of the Occult Research Club and Rias Gremory’s trusted retainer. A hybrid of three races, this tall, large-busted member displays a teasing, black-hearted personality. As a key communicator wielding golden lightning and Azure Flame magic, she masters Aki, providing him a surveillance familiar and overseeing post-clash cleanup.
• Himejima – Akeno Himejima is a tall, curvaceous Kuoh Academy senior, high-ranking Devil retainer in Rias Gremory’s peerage, and a powerful Occult Research Club member known for her strength in combat. Bound by a Soul Contract to Aki, she possesses long black hair and a queen-like demeanor. Combining sadistic charm with maternal authority, she wields golden lightning and is deeply loyal to Rias and Aki.
• Akeno – Himejima, a tall, voluptuous Orc-devil shrine maiden with raven hair, red eyes, and dark wings, is the “Priestess of Thunder.” As Rias Gremory’s loyal S+ rank Queen and Vice-President, she gracefully manages administration. Beyond her combat prowess, she is the soul-bound contract partner of Akira, maintaining a deep, affectionate bond with him and constantly longing for his attention.
• Gremory – Rias Gremory, a pure-blood devil of the prestigious Gremory house, has striking crimson hair, blue eyes, a curvy figure, and a prominent bust. Wielding top-level demonic power, she governs Kuoh Academy’s hidden hierarchy and leads her household in a high-stakes competition against the rival Phoenix clan.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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