Chapter 326 Jesta
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
After many days, the Naruse parents reunited with Mio once again. The three of them had so much to say.
Aki was in no rush to send the Naruse parents back to the Underworld; the operation was not slated to begin until tomorrow, so allowing the Naruse family a bit more time together seemed perfectly fine.
With the biggest secrets now exposed, the Naruse parents shared the things they had previously kept from Mio. They took special care to explain the situation regarding Ras, likely out of fear that Mio might misunderstand.
The Naruse parents were gentle and kind by nature, having adopted many Devil children orphaned by the war between the ‘Three Factions’ — the Human World, the Underworld, and the Netherworld.
Ras was one of them.
Because they had taken in so many orphans, the two eventually opened an orphanage, which they ran until Wilbert sent them to the Human World to raise Mio. Though they were reluctant to part with the children they had taken in, the founding of that orphanage was made possible entirely through Wilbert’s support.
Wilbert had chosen them to raise Mio precisely because he valued their kindness, gentleness, and loyalty.
But following the departure of the Naruse parents and Wilbert’s mysterious death, the orphanage could no longer be maintained.
It was after the orphanage dissolved that Ras caught the eye of Zolgear, who took him in to be trained. The Naruse parents also revealed that Ras was a ‘Doll Master’ — a person who could create and control dolls that served as extensions of their will. This ability was not powerful in direct combat, but it was incredibly stealthy.
It was precisely because of this ability that Ras had managed to remain undetected for so many years.
Watching the happy scene of the Naruse family, Maria could not help but think of her own mother and sister.
She quietly stepped away from the group, not wanting her own downcast mood to affect the others.
Aki was just about to go comfort her when Mio walked over, her expression full of concern.
While talking with her parents, she had been keeping an eye on Maria. She had intended to introduce this younger half-sister to her parents, only to see Maria about to slip away.
Aki stopped in his tracks, simultaneously blocking the Naruse parents, who were also looking on with concern.
”Leave it to Mio.” Aki stated in a calm, clipped tone.
The Naruse parents hesitated, but Aki added: “You need to trust Mio. She is no longer the ordinary girl who hid under your protection.”
The Naruse parents paused, thinking of Ras.
That little girl, once so small, had now become so strong. With the blood and power of the Demon King within her, Mio’s future stage would only grow wider.
The two slowly came to a halt, gazing at Mio’s back. There was a sense of reluctance, like parents watching a child leave the nest; there was the frustration of being unable to help their child, and a faint sense of helplessness and self-depreciation.
However, all these complex emotions dissolved into tenderness and relief as Mio enthusiastically introduced Maria to them.
Much like Rias, Mio possessed a special kind of charisma.
That ‘Blazing Hot’ sincerity was something even Aki, standing to the side, could feel.
Even Nonaka Kurumi, who had been agonizing over whether or not to report this matter, was moved by the sight, and she made the most important decision of her life.
”Sister, I don’t want to report this.” Kurumi whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
Nonaka Kurumi leaned close to Nonaka Yuki and whispered: “If Mio and the others fail, remember to pin everything on me alone.”
Although she was the one in charge of monitoring Mio, if a real problem arose, Nonaka Yuki would certainly be implicated—unless it was said that Kurumi had deceived her, placing the entirety of the blame on her own shoulders.
Without the misunderstandings of their childhood, the relationship between Nonaka Kurumi and Nonaka Yuki had always been excellent. Nonaka Yuki had a somewhat cold personality, but that did not mean she did not care about Nonaka Kurumi.
”It will be fine. Aki will not fail.” Nonaka Yuki’s tone was calm, as if stating a fact. “Once this is over, you and I will break away from the village together.”
”Ah?”
Nonaka Kurumi was startled and quickly covered her mouth with her small hand.
”Sister, what are you saying? Why would we break away from the village?”
Nonaka Yuki swept a cold glance at her. “You will understand when the time comes.”
* * *
The next morning, Ras and Maria met up and teleported away with the unconscious Mio.
Because they were unsure if Zolgear had others monitoring them, Aki and the others decided to put on a full performance.
”Arriving late,” Aki and the Nonaka sisters failed to catch them and could only stay in the area attempting ‘magic’ tracking.
In reality, Ras had already given them Zolgear’s location.
Zolgear was hiding in a small world — a pocket dimension. He used a ‘Magic Barrier’ to isolate it completely. If one did not know the coordinates, there was simply no way to enter from the outside.
After acting for a while, Aki took the Nonaka sisters home and used the teleportation ‘Magic circles’ they had prepared well in advance to jump directly there.
”That’s right, this is the place.” Aki declared.
Aki scanned the surroundings. This space was not large, looking overall like a primitive ‘Forest’.
”You wait here for me.”
The Nonaka sisters’ strength was average; the two of them combined could only fight Zest to a draw, so bringing them along would only increase the risk of exposure.
”No, my mission is to monitor you.” Nonaka Kurumi huffed, looking grumpy.
”No, your mission is to monitor Mio.” Aki retorted.
In her glare, he looked toward Nonaka Yuki.
”Yuki, when Maria and the others arrive, teleport back immediately.”
Nonaka Yuki nodded and said softly: “Aki, be careful.”
”Don’t worry. That old bastard Zolgear is no match for me.”
Aki smiled, then concealed his presence and walked toward the ancient ‘Rook’ standing not far away. A ‘Rook’ was a fortified tower — the central stronghold of Zolgear’s dimensional hideout.
In this small separate space, there was only this one building, so there was no need to worry about finding the wrong place.
One hundred meters from the ‘Rook’, Aki saw Ras waiting under a large tree.
”Let’s go. We agreed: I am only responsible for leading the way.”
”Have you confirmed the location where Maria’s mother and sister are being held?”
”Confirmed. If you are worried, we can wait a little longer,” Ras said.
Aki was more worried about Mio encountering danger than he was about that.
”Let’s take action directly.”
Dark blue ‘Mana’ enveloped Aki. As the light distorted, in his place stood a nimble, powerful blue-gray cat.
Unless he chose to reveal himself, no one below ‘God-tier’ — the highest power level attainable by mortal beings — could see through this form.
Combined with concealment ‘magic’, it was the most suitable form for infiltration.
With Aki’s current strength, even in his cat form, he had ‘SSS-Rank’ combat power — the very peak of the ranking system. Unless he encountered Zolgear head-on, he could resolve any enemy he met without needing to revert to his original form.
Ras watched the cat at his feet with curiosity. He held back, but eventually could not resist.
”What kind of ‘magic’ is this?”
”Not magic. It counts as a bloodline ‘ability’.”
The cat spoke in a human voice. Ras became even more curious, but seeing that Aki did not want to say more, he could only suppress his curiosity.
Ras shrugged, and teleportation ‘Magic circles’ appeared at his feet, instantly appearing at the entrance of the ‘Rook’.
Aki, in his cat form, was still at his feet, though if one didn’t perceive it carefully, they would hardly notice.
The two were just about to enter the ‘Rook’ when Zest flashed into appearance at the entrance.
Aki quietly observed the dark-skinned, buxom rabbit-eared girl before him; she was exactly as he remembered.
Zest was an artificial lifeform created by Zolgear in the likeness of his beloved, but because the creation was imperfect, Zolgear did not treat her as a person.
Not only did he never praise her when she completed a task, but he would also hit or scold her at will, and even monitored her thoughts, always ready to toss her back into the furnace to be remade.
As an artificial lifeform, Zest was born needing a ‘Master’. However, she had not yet established a master-servant ‘Contract’ with Mio, and he didn’t know if he could make her feel envious in her heart — hoping that her Master was not Zolgear, but him.
The chaotic thoughts flashed through his mind, and Aki continued to focus on concealing his presence.
”Ras, what are you doing here again?” Zest blocked the path of the two and asked, puzzled.
Ras had just brought that Succubus and Zolgear’s target in. It hadn’t been long — how could he already be returning?
”Just forgot one thing. Came back to tell Lord Zolgear.”
Zest felt suspicious, but she had no evidence. After hesitating for a moment, she stepped aside.
Ras nodded slightly to her and walked into the ‘Rook’ at a leisurely pace.
Aki followed by his feet, seemingly blending into the shadows, and slipped inside with ease.
Once inside the ‘Rook’, Ras led Aki straight toward the place where Shela and Lucia were being held.
At the same time, Maria was also dragging out time to the absolute limit.
”Hmph, do not force me to take action,” Zolgear said coldly, his voice dripping with restrained menace. “I told you, wait until I seize the power within her body, and I will release your mother and sister.”
”No! You must release my mother and sister first.”
Maria gripped Mio’s throat with her hand. “Otherwise, I will kill her right now.”
Notes:
• Naruse – Mio Naruse, an heir to Demon King power, is a student protected by the Gremory household. She shares deep bonds with her adoptive parents—middle-aged, ordinary-looking figures who later return to the Underworld to assist orphans—as well as Maria, Aki, and Kurumi. Alongside her parents, former members of the Occult Research Club, she navigates schemes while maintaining vital emotional ties.
• Mio – A proud, red-haired, twin-tailed tsundere with peach eyes and a buxom figure, this Kuoh Academy transfer is the adopted Naruse daughter. Inheriting Demon King blood, she serves as a Bishop in Aki’s peerage, wielding fire and gravity magic. Currently unconscious and transported by Maria, she is sought by Zolgear for her power while navigating a complex, intimate bond with Aki and her family.
• 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.
• Ras – An SS-Rank Doll Master and former orphan raised by the Naruses, this elegant, white-masked magic user serves as Zolgear’s trusted subordinate and infiltrator. Though he acted as a double agent for years, his complex ties to his childhood idols ultimately led him to return to the Underworld with the Naruse parents, abandoning his role as a pawn to guide Aki through the enemy base.
• Wilbert – The deceased former Demon King and mysterious benefactor of the Naruse orphanage. The lover of Shela and father of Maria, he was linked to the previous Gremory head. His immense power, which Zolgear seeks to extend his life, is the source of Mio’s fire abilities. He shaped Mio’s upbringing by choosing kind, anonymous adoptive parents to raise her in the Human World.
• Zolgear – This gaunt, ancient Devil Grand Duke is a cold-blooded magic master and researcher known for mental arts and artificial life creation, notably the creation of Zest. An Ultimate-Class demon leading a hostile Underworld faction from an isolated dimension, he is obsessed with absorbing Mio and Wilbert’s power for immortality. Though physically weak, he is a feared, ruthless threat terminated by Aki.
• Maria – A Succubus with a petite and cute appearance who resembles her mother, Shela. A subordinate of Aki who acts with deference. She is tasked with transporting Naruse Mio to safety. A succubus with a young appearance and a mature true form. She has long legs and a busty figure. A young Succubus with familial ties to Shela and Lucia. She attempts to manipulate Zolgear by threatening Naruse Mio to buy time, eventually being paralyzed by his magic.
• Y – The first initial/part of the name Y Ddraig Goch.
• Rias – A prominent female authority in the Gremory household, she is a high-level tactical advisor and protector who provides essential emotional support and safety for Mio and Maria. Beyond her tactical brilliance, she acts as a source of destructive magical power fused by Aki and maintains a professional interest in bio-manufacturing technology, serving as a key intelligence asset for the group.
• Kurumi – A petite, spirited Hero Clan member and one of the transferred Nonaka sisters, she sports a pale purple ponytail. Tasked with surveilling Mio, this tsundere is more approachable than her sister, Yuzuki, and shares a deep bond with Yuki. Ultimately choosing not to report her mission to the village, she serves as an observer who witnesses the massive pillar of mana resulting from the rescue effort.
• Nonaka – The Nonaka sisters—Yuki, Ikumi, Yuzuki, and Kurumi—are professional surveillance operatives acting as monitors. While they maintain a composed, unified identity, they also balance personal roles: some provide close security detail for Mio, while others serve Aki as schoolgirls, performing intimate personal tasks like chest-presses and back-scrubbing.
• Yuki – Shinomura Yuki, a busty mixed-blood demon and Hero Clan intelligence monitor, transferred to Kuoh alongside her sister, Kurumi. With white-gold hair and indigo eyes, she masks a stubborn, volatile nature behind a cold facade. While aiming to escape her village, Yuki acts as an observer for the Nonaka family and finds herself navigating a growing, nervous intimacy with her companion, Aki.
• Zest – A tall, curvaceous artificial lifeform with dark skin, purple markings, and white rabbit ears, she was created by Zolgear in his beloved’s likeness. Initially bound by a death curse to guard the Rook and serve Zolgear, she now acts as a loyal guide for Aki. Despite her programmed devotion, she harbors secret desires to break free from Zolgear’s oppressive control over her mind and emotions.
• 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.
• Nao – A delicate, frail Class 2-C registered vampire who currently presents as male. Immune to sunlight from birth, his unique nature shapes his identity and interactions within the school.
• Yui – Aisu Academy student and basketball powerhouse, this young woman uses B-Rank strength and elite sensory skills to track opponents’ structural flaws. As a core operative in Aki’s organization, she plays an auxiliary support role while maintaining close ties with teammates and faculty. To harden her resolve, she joins her companions in executing defeated yokai, acting as a heroine of the hypnosis incident.
• Lucia – A cold-natured Succubus and daughter of Shela, she lacks the typical physical traits of her kind. As Maria’s half-sister and a magic user, she was present during the teleportation sequence with the Nonaka sisters. Currently, she is imprisoned by Zolgear, held captive alongside her mother, Shela.
• Shela – A petite, former Succubus Queen with white hair, curved ram horns, and violet eyes. Despite her youthful appearance and natural allure, she is the protective mother of Mio, Lucia, and Maria. Currently held captive by Zolgear, she guards vital Gremory secrets and key information on the super-electromagnetic device, while orchestrating plans to ensure her daughters’ survival and influence.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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