Fantasy Library, Ch 106-110

Chapter 106: An Unprecedented Impulse

“That is… Touki!”

As the surging white aura erupted from Kaiser's body, enveloping him like a visible wave of energy, the first person to react was none other than the usually silent Koneko Toujou.

The expressionless girl, who rarely showed any emotion, now had a look of genuine shock on her face for the first time.

“Touki?”

Yuuto Kiba, who had been quietly observing the situation, turned toward Koneko after hearing her words.

“Koneko, do you know what that is?” he asked.

“…Yes.” Koneko remained silent for a moment before nodding. “It’s a type of Ki.”

“Ki?” Kiba frowned. “You mean Aura?”

Koneko nodded again, carefully choosing her words before continuing.

“It is a form of energy that only manifests after undergoing extremely rigorous training and honing one’s physical abilities to their absolute peak. It is different from Demonic Power and Light Power. You could say it is the very essence of life itself—an unending surge of vitality and life force bursting forth into a tangible form.”

“Those who possess Touki gain significant enhancements in attack power, defense, speed, and even the overall resilience of their bodies, both inside and out.”

“That man seems to have awakened this power… It’s truly surprising.”

Koneko genuinely appeared astonished. Even the way she looked at Kaiser had changed, her usually cold and indifferent gaze now filled with doubt and uncertainty. The stark contrast in her demeanor was obvious.

“I see… So he’s mastered such a power…”

Kiba’s frown deepened, his eyes shifting toward Rias Gremory, now carrying a hint of concern.

Even though Kaiser was human, no one present underestimated him.

His possession of a dangerous Sacred Gear was already public knowledge to some degree. More importantly, he had fought an unknown being at the High-Class Devil level and emerged unscathed. Furthermore, he had single-handedly crushed a Fallen Angel stronghold and even taken a Fallen Angel captive. That alone was proof that his strength was nothing short of exceptional.

From the very beginning, Kiba had been worried about Rias confronting someone like that.

Now that he knew Kaiser had mastered Touki, an ability that granted formidable physical prowess, his concern only grew stronger.

“Senpai…”

Kiba turned to Akeno Himejima for her opinion. In Rias' absence, the person best suited to lead the Gremory Peerage was undoubtedly her right-hand woman.

But when Kiba turned to look at Akeno, he found that she was still glaring at the Fallen Angel woman.

Judging from the hostility radiating from her, it was clear that Akeno was on high alert, wary of a sudden attack from the enemy.

“…I guess there’s no choice.”

Kiba exhaled, removing his hand from his sword’s hilt. His posture, however, remained that of a knight ready to act at a moment’s notice.

At that moment, Rias made her move.

“VANISH INTO OBLIVION!”

It was her signature phrase.

The crimson aura surrounding Rias surged into her raised palm, forming an enormous mass of Demonic Power above it.

The gathered energy was also crimson—so dark it nearly appeared black. The sheer volatility radiating from it was terrifying, as if capable of annihilating everything in its path.

No, it wasn’t “as if.”

It was a power that could destroy everything.

Unlike the Angels and Fallen Angels, who wielded Light Power, Devils used a force known as Demonic Power.

This power could manifest supernatural phenomena purely through imagination. If one imagined fire, the Demonic Power would turn into flames. If one imagined ice, it would transform into frost.

It sounded incredibly versatile, but in reality, materializing complex phenomena required both a strong mental image and advanced techniques. The stronger and more intricate the effect, the greater the Demonic Power consumption and the higher the level of skill required for control.

As a result, Devils needed to adapt their Demonic Power to match the situation in combat. Without the necessary talent, no amount of imagination alone would be effective.

Take Akeno Himejima, for example. She had an extraordinary talent for converting Demonic Power into Lightning, making her exceptionally skilled in electrical attacks—earning her the title "Priestess of Thunder."

Conversely, Kiba and Koneko had little affinity for Demonic Power. Kiba excelled in swordsmanship, while Koneko specialized in hand-to-hand combat. As a result, they rarely used Demonic Power offensively, relying on it only for enhancement or fueling techniques.

But Rias was different.

As a Pureblood Devil from the House of Gremory, she was innately gifted in Demonic Power.

More than that, she had inherited a unique trait—Destruction.

By imbuing her Demonic Power with this characteristic, she could release it as devastating energy that annihilated everything it touched. Anything struck by it would be reduced to nothingness, erased from existence—just as she had declared.

Now, Rias unleashed her Power of Destruction.

The crimson mass of energy roared like a flood, surging toward Kaiser.

“BOOM!”

A violent explosion erupted as Rias' Destruction Energy struck the ground. The very earth beneath them wasn’t merely shattered—it ceased to exist, leaving behind a massive crater.

“So this is the Power of Destruction?”

Kaiser dodged the attack effortlessly, his body moving like a streak of white light. Landing lightly outside the blast zone, he looked at the newly formed crater and commented,

“Quite the impressive destructive force.”

“You say that, but you’re not scared at all, are you?” Rias glared at him. “You seem completely at ease. If that’s the case, then I don’t have to hold back, do I?”

Her Demonic Power surged once again, gathering around her before she launched another strike at Kaiser.

“BOOM!”

The ground was obliterated once more. No debris, no dust—just pure annihilation.

“Because the weakness is obvious.”

Kaiser dodged effortlessly again, his movements appearing casual. As he evaded, he spoke with a smirk,

“The destructive power is overwhelming, but because it’s too strong, the Demonic Power’s fluctuation is too obvious. That makes it ridiculously easy to sense the trajectory of your attacks and dodge accordingly.”

“As long as I don’t let it touch me, it doesn’t matter how powerful your Destruction Energy is. It won’t even graze me.”

“That Fallen Angel woman wasn’t wrong, you know.” Kaiser shot her a teasing look. “You may be a High-Class Devil, a Pureblood from a prestigious clan, and your talent and potential are undoubtedly enormous…”

“But right now, you’re just a greenhorn—a fledgling relying on her innate abilities to fight.”

“My advice? Train properly before picking fights. At the very least, learn to control your Power of Destruction better. Improve your techniques, develop different applications—otherwise, you’ll never stand a chance against veterans at your level.”

Rather than feeling grateful, Rias' face twisted in frustration.

“I don’t need you to tell me that! After I defeat you, I’ll train as much as I want!”

Her Demonic Power surged once more. The crimson-black energy roared into the air, launching toward Kaiser with renewed intensity.

Kaiser scoffed.

"With your current strength, defeating me is impossible," he stated bluntly. "Go train properly before making such claims."

As soon as he finished speaking, Kaiser stopped evading and charged straight toward Rias.

"Boom—!"

A torrent of destructive demonic power surged toward him, like a roaring pillar of crimson flame, evaporating the surrounding air.

Kaiser, however, remained completely composed. Enveloping his fist in an intense surge of Touki, he swung upward at the incoming wave of energy.

"Bang!"

A deep, resonant impact echoed as his fist collided with the magical force, holding it back for a brief moment before sending it hurtling skyward.

The demonic energy shot into the heavens, exploding in midair with a violent detonation, sending shockwaves rippling outward.

"What?!"

Rias gasped in shock.

"He blocked it with his bare hands?"

Yuuto Kiba stared in disbelief.

"...He wrapped his fist in Touki and used its immense energy to neutralize the Power of Destruction," Koneko murmured, her tone laced with astonishment.

Without hesitation, Kaiser broke through the remnants of the attack and flashed toward Rias.

"…?!"

Rias snapped out of her daze, her body tensing as she instinctively leaned backward, preparing to leap away.

But before she could retreat—

"Smack!"

A crisp sound rang out as Kaiser reached forward with both hands, seizing Rias by the wrists.

"L-Let go of me!"

Rias struggled instinctively, her voice rising in protest.

Kaiser, however, remained unmoved. His gaze locked onto her face, taking in the slightly flustered expression that replaced her usual regal composure.

Something unfamiliar stirred within him.

A sudden impulse.

A desire he had never felt before.

And before he could even think—he acted.

"…Mmph?!"

Rias' eyes widened in shock.

In her vision, Kaiser's face had abruptly closed the distance. The next moment, an unfamiliar sensation pressed against her lips.

He had silenced her.

With a kiss.

"Mm…?! Mmmph…!"

Realizing what had just happened, Rias immediately began struggling, her entire body flaring with crimson demonic power in protest.

But Kaiser had already anticipated this.

With one hand, he released her wrist and drew a small, dagger-like energy blade. With a swift flick, he sliced through the tendrils of destruction she had begun to unleash, severing the unstable energy before it could fully manifest.

"—!"

Rias was completely stunned—shocked, flustered, and utterly unprepared for the turn of events.

"S-S-…President?!"

Kiba and Koneko were frozen in place, their minds struggling to process what they had just witnessed. Even Akeno stood there, momentarily speechless.

The entire scene plunged into an eerie silence, as though time itself had come to a standstill.

Chapter 107: That is enough

The once tense and oppressive atmosphere in the forest near the street had undergone a subtle transformation. An indescribable silence now permeated the area.

Everyone stood frozen in place, eyes widened in shock at the scene that had just unfolded before them. They remained speechless, unable to react for a long moment.

Even Rias, who had been struggling just moments ago, seemed to have lost all her strength. The force of her resistance gradually weakened until, at last, her entire body gave out, and she collapsed to the ground.

Kaiser, seeing this, released his grip without hesitation, letting Rias slump onto the ground.

“P-President!”

Akeno and the others finally snapped back to reality, their voices ringing with concern as they rushed toward Rias.

"Ah, I got carried away."

Kaiser, completely unfazed, uttered this utterly inappropriate remark, as if he had just realized his own impulsiveness.

“You… you bastard…!”

The imposing and dignified expression Rias usually carried crumbled in an instant. Her face, now filled with a mix of emotions, showed hints of embarrassment, anger, and something else—her eyes even welled up with unshed tears.

“VANISH INTO OBLIVION!”

Her crimson hair swayed violently as she shouted in fury, and her demonic power surged higher than ever before.

"BOOM!!!"

A massive explosion of red light erupted, illuminating the entire forest.

The sheer force of the detonation was terrifying. In an instant, it spread outward like a tidal wave of destruction, swallowing everything in its path.

There was no dust, no scattering debris—nothing remained. The blast obliterated everything it touched, reducing all matter to light particles that dissipated into nothingness.

And it was still expanding.

“No! Rias!”

Akeno’s voice carried a rare tone of alarm.

If this continued, the blast wouldn’t just consume the surrounding area—it would reach the nearby streets. If that happened, human casualties would be inevitable, and the consequences would be disastrous.

"President!"

"...President!"

Kiba and Koneko, realizing the severity of the situation, both wore expressions of shock.

“Damn you, Rias Gremory!”

Meanwhile, Raynare wasn’t thinking about the devastation itself—she was worried about whether she would get caught up in it.

If she was swallowed by the infamous Power of Destruction, there would be no saving her. She would be completely erased from existence.

That thought alone made Raynare panic. She was already prepared to flee—

Until—

Bzzzt!

A deep hum resonated through the air, as a streak of black cut through the crimson explosion.

BZZZT—!

The hum grew louder, and the streak of black expanded, pushing outward from within the blast.

Upon closer inspection, the dark streak revealed itself to be a massive energy blade.

The oppressive heat condensed into pure energy, forming an enormous pitch-black sword that cleaved through the explosion of destruction.

And then—

SHING!

The dark blade cut straight through the wave of devastation, slicing it in half.

"—!"

The explosion, which had been surging outward, suddenly froze in place. Then, as if its source had been severed, it began to fade away piece by piece.

In mere moments, the massive burst of destructive energy vanished completely. Only a deep, bottomless crater remained, silently marking the intensity of what had just occurred.

Standing within that crater were two figures—Kaiser, wielding the rapidly shrinking Ser-Veresta, and Rias, who bit her lip in anger, glaring at him with undisguised fury.

"President!"

Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko immediately leaped down into the crater, rushing to Rias' side.

Raynare, on the other hand, remained at the crater’s edge, looking down at the scene below.

A sudden thought crossed her mind.

…Could I use this chance to escape?

The idea was tempting.

She had no reason to stick around any longer. If she ran now, she might just get away.

But just as Raynare started to take a cautious step back, a chilling sensation ran down her spine.

From within the crater, Kaiser’s gaze flicked toward her—just a brief, seemingly indifferent glance.

But that was enough.

Raynare froze in place, a cold sweat running down her back.

She no longer dared to move.

Kaiser shifted his gaze away from her and back to Rias, who was still being supported by her peerage but continued to glare at him furiously.

He gave a small, amused smirk before dismissing Ser-Veresta.

“Go back and train properly,” Kaiser said casually. “At the very least, try not to leave yourself so wide open next time.”

With that, he vanished from the crater in a flash, reappearing beside Raynare at the edge.

Raynare flinched instinctively, her body shrinking back.

She suddenly felt relieved that she hadn’t attempted to flee.

With Kaiser's speed, he could have caught her in an instant.

“W-Wait…!”

Rias called out, seemingly wanting to say something.

But Kaiser didn’t give her the chance.

He grabbed Raynare by the shoulder, leaped into the air, and disappeared into the forest, vanishing from sight.

"That bastard!"

Rias was fuming.

If it weren’t for her noble upbringing, she would have already started cursing him out loud.

"A-Are you alright, President?"

"...Do you need some water… to rinse your mouth?"

Kiba and Koneko cautiously voiced their concerns, their expressions somewhat uneasy.

“Ara ara, I didn’t expect things to turn out like this.”

Akeno, having recovered her usual demeanor, rested a hand on her cheek and chuckled. Whether it was amusement or mild schadenfreude, it was difficult to tell.

“What the hell is with that guy?! Who just starts kissing someone in the middle of a fight?!”

Rias, still furious, shouted in frustration.

Her outburst shattered her usual image, leaving even her peerage stunned into silence.

Akeno and the others exchanged glances, unsure of how to console Rias. In the end, they could only sigh and let her vent.

— — —

Meanwhile, away from the outskirts of town, Kaiser and Raynare were engaged in a conversation.

“…Do you like Rias Gremory?”

Raynare couldn't suppress her curiosity and blurted out the question.

“She’s alright, I guess.” Kaiser walked ahead of her, appearing as if nothing had happened. His demeanor remained as carefree as ever. “At the very least, I don’t dislike her.”

“Aren’t you someone from the Church?” Raynare sneered. “Doesn’t the Church despise Devils the most? How come you ended up doing that to one?”

Kaiser didn’t respond immediately.

Instead, he found himself asking the same question in his mind.

Why had he done that?

It wasn’t as if he was some kind of saint, devoid of desire.

Like any normal man, he had urges. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have secretly found himself drawn to Toudou Kirin’s unfairly attractive figure before. He had lost count of how many times he had cursed himself internally for it.

If Kirin weren’t so young, he might have even made a mistake—succumbing to temptation with someone more than a decade younger than himself.

So no, he wasn’t some ascetic monk.

But he had always been someone with restraint.

Back when he was still a student…

While others in school were dating, experiencing youthful romance, he had also felt the stirrings of attraction and impulse—but he had always forced himself to hold back.

It wasn’t that he never had the chance to fall in love. He had liked girls before.

But he had been well aware that, given his circumstances, romance was a luxury he couldn’t afford.

Modern relationships were practical. Every romantic gesture cost money. Every date required money. Marriage? That was even more unattainable.

Because of his upbringing, Kaiser had matured early. He had always known these harsh realities, so he distanced himself from such trivial pursuits, focusing instead on securing his own future—on surviving in society independently.

But in the end, that was just resignation to reality.

It was a choice born of necessity, not desire.

If given the option, of course, he would have wanted to experience youthful love. He would have wanted to date. And yes, he certainly would have wanted to engage in all sorts of unspeakable activities with beautiful women.

And now, as these thoughts surfaced, he began to understand.

Perhaps… he was finally shedding the weight of his past self.

After all, he was no longer the person he used to be.

Ever since he became the Librarian of the Fantasy Library, his future had been set—he would no longer return to that world.

He now had power.

Supernatural strength, abilities that defied the mundane.

He no longer had to be bound by reality, nor did he need to restrain himself like before.

Ultimately, he was already living in a fantasy world.

There was no point in clinging to outdated notions of reality and responsibility.

The fact that he existed here at all was, in itself, the greatest defiance of reality.

With the shackles of his past broken, he was free to do as he pleased.

That was why, in the heat of battle, he had felt exhilarated.

That was why, when he realized Dirk had been plotting against him, he had abandoned his former law-abiding self without hesitation. He had stolen Gravisheath, launched a surprise attack under the cover of night, and taken his revenge.

Even though he had never taken a life before, he had punched a flesh-eating Stray Devil into oblivion without a second thought.

Against that deranged, white-haired exorcist, he had executed him without mercy.

These were all things his past self would never have done—things a normal person wouldn’t have been able to do without hesitation.

And yet, he had done them all.

It was proof that he was no longer the law-abiding, self-restrained individual he once was.

To put it nicely, he was simply becoming his true self.

To put it bluntly, he was losing control—gradually becoming more reckless, more unrestrained, more untamed.

Like just now—when Rias' face had been so close, and she had looked so beautiful.

Anyone would have felt a surge of desire.

In the past, Kaiser would have simply indulged in a harmless fantasy and moved on.

But today…

He hadn’t held back.

He had acted on it.

Was that a good thing?

Or a bad thing?

Kaiser didn’t know.

But there was one thing he was certain of.

Right now—

He was enjoying himself.

And maybe…

Maybe that was enough.

Chapter 108: The Saint Who Became a Witch

Two days later…

At a café near Kuoh Town’s shopping district, Kaiser once again found himself seated in a secluded corner.

The place was as lively as ever, filled with chatter and laughter, a constant buzz of voices blending together.

Kaiser sat there, a faint smile on his lips, enjoying the leisurely afternoon.

However, he wasn’t here for the food.

He was waiting for someone.

Waiting for his captive, Raynare, to bring him the person he had asked for.

Just then—

Ding-ling—

The café door swung open, accompanied by the light chime of the entrance bell.

The chime of the café doorbell rang out once again, signaling the long-awaited arrival of Kaiser's guest.

Stepping inside was Raynare, now dressed in a fashionable, form-fitting outfit that was far less revealing than before. She led someone along with her, her expression clearly displaying reluctance and resentment, as though she was utterly unwilling to hand this person over to Kaiser.

“…I brought them,” Raynare muttered begrudgingly.

Kaiser, stirring his coffee absentmindedly with a spoon, responded without much interest.

“Appreciate it,” he said nonchalantly. His dismissive tone made it clear that he wasn’t particularly invested in the effort Raynare had put into bringing this person here.

Raynare’s expression soured further.

“So that’s why you stormed into my base,” she said bitterly. “You were after this person all along…”

Her frustration was genuine.

She had worked hard to keep this individual hidden, carefully withholding their existence from the rest of the Fallen Angel faction.

This person was a crucial part of her grand plan—her key to rising within the ranks, to securing a future where she could ascend in power and status.

For this, she had secretly relocated to this town, evading the attention of her own faction as she set her scheme in motion.

And now, all of that had been ruined.

Raynare could hardly contain her resentment.

Kaiser, of course, understood her frustration.

“You should be grateful,” he said, still not sparing her a glance. He continued stirring his coffee, speaking with an air of leisure. “At least I found you before you did anything drastic. Otherwise, you’d probably be dead by now.”

“…What?” Raynare frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Kaiser ignored her, finally lifting his gaze to the person she had brought.

The figure before him was clad in a well-fitted nun’s habit, complete with a traditional headscarf.

Judging by her height and physique, she was still quite young.

From the moment she stepped into the café, she had kept her head down, silent and unmoving.

She hadn’t spoken a single word nor lifted her gaze, leaving her face concealed beneath the fabric of her veil.

Her presence quickly attracted the curious glances of nearby customers, their eyes flickering toward the mysterious nun who seemed out of place in the bustling café.

“Take a seat.”

Kaiser studied her carefully, confirming that she was indeed the one he had been looking for. He smiled.

“No need to be nervous. Unlike the Fallen Angels, I’m not going to do anything to you.”

Whether or not the nun believed him was unclear.

But one thing was certain—Raynare didn’t believe him at all.

He had gone to the lengths of attacking her base, annihilating her subordinates, and sinking her entire hideout underground.

She had been personally captured and forced to comply.

And now, after doing all that, he expected her to believe he wasn’t planning anything for this girl?

Yeah. Right.

“…I brought her. Can I leave now?”

Raynare suppressed the words she wanted to say, keeping her response blunt and to the point.

But Kaiser didn’t even acknowledge her request.

His gaze remained fixed on the nun, his smile unwavering.

Raynare clenched her fists in frustration, while the nun hesitated before cautiously lowering herself into the seat across from Kaiser.

“Hmph.”

Raynare clicked her tongue but ultimately sat down beside them, arms crossed.

“Want something to eat?” Kaiser asked, sliding a menu toward the nun. “Go ahead and order. The Fallen Angels can cover the bill.”

Raynare, who had just started calming herself down, nearly lost it again.

“N-No, thank you…”

For the first time since entering the café, the nun spoke.

Her voice was soft and delicate, carrying an unmistakable sense of nervousness—but also a distinct melody-like clarity that made it oddly pleasant to hear.

Interestingly, she wasn’t speaking the native language of this country.

Of course, that didn’t pose any issue for Kaiser.

Upon entering different fantasy worlds, he had discovered an intriguing aspect of his existence as the Librarian of the Fantasy Library—he automatically acquired knowledge relevant to the life he was supposed to have within each world.

For instance, in The Asterisk War universe, he had become a student of Seidoukan Academy, naturally gaining fluency in its languages and understanding the culture of Asterisk without ever needing to learn them from scratch.

Similarly, in this world, his past had been rewritten as someone raised in a foreign Church since childhood.

Because of that, he instinctively understood and could speak the languages of the Church and the country it was associated with.

Even during his time wandering outside the Church, he had picked up multiple languages, all seamlessly embedded into his memory.

Even if he were to leave this world and travel to another, this linguistic knowledge would remain intact.

At first, Kaiser had marveled at this strange phenomenon.

The idea that, as he traveled through more worlds and accumulated more “lifetimes,” he would become fluent in every language across countless dimensions…

It was an exciting thought.

And if one day he gained a background similar to someone like Tony Stark…

Would he end up being able to build an Iron Man suit from scratch?

Kaiser recognized the language immediately—English. It was the same language he had used during his time in the Church in this world, so he understood her perfectly.

"Alright," Kaiser said, not pressing the matter further. He gazed at the nervous girl before him and spoke in a calm tone. "Let’s start with introductions. My name is Kaiser."

Then, with a slight smile, he continued, "And you must be Asia Argento, correct?"

Asia hesitated for a brief moment before she reached up, her delicate fingers lifting the edge of her veil.

—

In that instant, it was as if a brilliant light had illuminated the entire world.

Beneath the veil was a young foreign girl, around sixteen or seventeen years old.

Her long golden hair cascaded smoothly down to her waist, shimmering like strands of silk. Her facial features were delicate and flawlessly refined, and her emerald-green eyes gleamed like precious gemstones, mesmerizing anyone who met them.

Her presence exuded purity—not necessarily the sacred aura of a devoted nun, but an innocence so compelling that it held a near-fatal attraction.

She was the kind of beauty that could steal the hearts of men at a glance.

Even women would find themselves drawn to her.

Though her allure was entirely different from Rias Gremory's fiery and commanding beauty, it was no less captivating.

The proof was evident.

Just like when Rias had visited this café before, the entire place fell into stunned silence.

Every customer who caught sight of Asia’s unveiled face seemed to lose themselves, frozen in place as if momentarily bewitched.

Yet, completely unaware of the commotion she had caused, Asia timidly lifted her gaze and spoke.

“I am Asia Argento.”

Her voice was soft and uncertain.

Then, after a brief hesitation, she addressed Kaiser.

"Hello… Fallen Angel sir."

Kaiser hadn’t even had a chance to respond before Raynare immediately cut in.

“He’s not a Fallen Angel, Asia. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

There was an edge to her voice, as if she couldn’t stand the thought of someone mistaking Kaiser for one of her kind.

"I'm not a Fallen Angel," Kaiser confirmed. "Like you, I’m human. And like you, I also came from the Church. So just call me by my name."

Asia’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.

“Kaiser-san is also… a follower of God?”

Her innocent question made Kaiser chuckle silently to himself.

Meanwhile, Raynare scoffed outright.

“Are you still clinging to that nonsense, Asia?” Raynare sneered. "You were cast out by the Church, excommunicated by them. How can you still speak like that?"

Asia immediately lowered her head, her expression clouding with sadness.

“I’ve heard about you.”

Kaiser smoothly picked up where Raynare left off, speaking as if he were simply recounting an old story.

“You were born in Northern Europe, abandoned as a baby and raised by the Church, where you aspired to become a nun.”

“You possessed a miraculous healing ability from birth—an ability that allowed you to heal both humans and angels alike. Because of that, the Church deemed you a child blessed by God, revered you as a saint, and showered you with the faith of its believers.”

“But one day, by sheer chance, you found a severely wounded Devil… and you healed them.”

“In that moment, your life fell apart. The saint they once praised became a heretic—a witch despised by the very people who once worshipped her.”

Kaiser’s tone was calm, almost detached, as he laid out the truth of Asia’s past.

“…Am I wrong?”

Asia didn’t answer.

She only lowered her head even further, her sorrowful presence speaking louder than words.

Healing abilities in this world were rare but not unheard of.

Some individuals were simply born with mysterious gifts, and the Church regarded such abilities as divine blessings—gifts from God.

However, those gifts were always selective.

Healing abilities granted by God were supposed to work only on humans and angels.

They were not supposed to heal Devils.

Any power that could mend a Devil’s wounds…

Was indisputably heretical.

The Church would never tolerate such an anomaly.

To them, it was proof that the individual was corrupted—a witch.

Asia Argento was one such person.

In her desperate search for a place to belong, she unwittingly accepted the invitation of a rogue exorcist organization—one secretly led by the Fallen Angels. It was there that she caught Raynare’s eye.

Chapter 109: The Hidden Agenda

Raynare—this two-winged Fallen Angel—had not originally come to Kuoh Town for Asia.

She had been sent on a mission.

Her superiors had instructed her to monitor an individual.

To observe and confirm the nature of the Sacred Gear residing within them.

That was the real reason she had been assigned to this town.

But then, amidst her duties, she stumbled upon information about a certain girl.

A girl named Asia Argento.

And she couldn’t ignore it.

Raynare had been so tempted that she completely disregarded her mission.

She abandoned her orders, concealed Asia’s existence from her higher-ups, and shifted her focus entirely onto the young nun.

Because Raynare knew.

The other Fallen Angels might not have understood what Asia possessed.

But she did.

She recognized it instantly.

The ability to heal anyone without exception.

A power that could restore even the most grievous of wounds.

A Sacred Gear of extreme rarity—one of the few that had no combat abilities yet was invaluable in its own way.

The Twilight Healing.

As soon as Raynare identified Asia’s Sacred Gear, she made up her mind—she had to take it for herself.

Her plan was simple: use her knowledge and techniques to extract Twilight Healing from Asia and transplant it into her own body.

With that power, she could elevate her worth within the Fallen Angel ranks, drawing the attention of the high-ranking officials who valued Sacred Gears above all else.

Especially him—the Governor-General of the Fallen Angels.

Raynare held a near-obsessive devotion toward that supreme being.

If she could succeed in this plan, then maybe—just maybe—she could step into his line of sight, earn his recognition… perhaps even his love.

It was precisely because Kaiser was aware of all this that he sought out Raynare, captured her, and forced her to bring Asia before him.

—

“I’ll get straight to the point.”

Kaiser finally set down his spoon, lifting his gaze to meet Asia’s eyes.

“I’m interested in you. How about joining me?”

Asia’s head snapped up.

Her wide, innocent green eyes locked onto Kaiser’s.

Beside them, Raynare instinctively moved to stop this conversation.

But the moment she shifted, a searing heat flared in her chest, twisting her expression in pain.

Had anyone been able to peer into her coat at that moment, they would have seen the cause—

A tiny, dagger-sized Ser-Veresta, resting quietly against her skin, its core still active.

If she dared to make any move against Kaiser, the blade would instantly release a heat wave powerful enough to reduce her to ashes on the spot.

This was Kaiser’s insurance.

He had personally placed this miniaturized Ser-Veresta on Raynare’s body when he sent her to fetch Asia.

Without it, there was no way she would have obediently complied with his orders.

Even now, the sword remained active.

If she so much as tried to interfere, there was no doubt in her mind—she would suffer for it.

She had already tried removing it before, only for the sword to immediately flare with scalding heat, burning her hand before she could even touch it.

Left with no other choice, Raynare grit her teeth and swallowed her frustration.

With Raynare staying silent, Asia looked to Kaiser in clear distress.

“By… by joining you… what do you mean?”

It seemed she still didn’t fully grasp the situation.

“…I thought I was being direct enough.”

Kaiser sighed slightly, then elaborated.

“Twilight Healing is an excellent Sacred Gear. In some ways, it’s even more valuable than a Longinus.”

This was no exaggeration.

The Longinus were powerful, legendary Sacred Gears capable of destroying Gods and rewriting reality itself.

But when it came to healing—they were severely lacking.

In fact, among the thirteen known Longinus, only the legendary Holy Grail, another divine relic, possessed any regenerative abilities.

Beyond that, no Longinus specialized in healing.

That made Twilight Healing one of the most sought-after Sacred Gears in existence.

A Sacred Gear capable of healing comrades, saving lives, and even mending the wielder’s own wounds…

Many would argue it was more precious than some Longinus.

Raynare certainly thought so.

That was why she had tried to steal it—why she had bet her entire future on possessing it.

Unlike some widely distributed Sacred Gears, which could exist in the hands of dozens or even hundreds of users, Twilight Healing was incredibly rare.

At present, only a handful of confirmed cases existed across the major factions.

For comparison, a Sacred Gear like Twice Critical—Siegfried’s Sacred Gear—was relatively common, with at least several dozen known users across different timelines.

But Twilight Healing?

It was one of the rarest Sacred Gears in the world.

And Asia was not just a wielder—

She was perfectly attuned to it.

With her exceptional compatibility, her potential to master Twilight Healing far surpassed any other wielder.

Her ability would only grow stronger, to heights no one else could reach.

Her value was immeasurable.

And that was why Kaiser had come for her.

When he first thought about recruiting strong allies, the original protagonist of this world had been his first thought.

But immediately after—

He had thought of her.

“I want you to join me,” Kaiser said with a casual smile, taking a sip of his coffee. “I know you’ve already accepted an invitation from the Stray Exorcists. You planned to join their organization.”

“But now, you’ve seen the truth—that organization is just a puppet. The ones pulling the strings behind them are the Fallen Angels.”

Kaiser leaned forward slightly, his gaze steady.

“And despite everything you’ve been through—even after being excommunicated, labeled a witch, and cast out—you still have unwavering faith in God, don’t you?”

Asia’s hands clenched in her lap.

“You still believe, don’t you?” Kaiser continued.

"Someone like you definitely wouldn't want to fall into the same ranks as the Fallen Angels, would you?"

As beings who had forsaken God for their own desires, Fallen Angels had long been despised by both the Church and Heaven.

To devout believers, Fallen Angels were not as wicked as Devils, but they were still abhorrent. The more devout a person was, the less willing they would be to associate with Fallen Angels, as doing so would make them feel as if they, too, had turned their backs on God in pursuit of selfish desires.

Asia was a kind-hearted person. She wouldn't harbor prejudice simply because someone was a Fallen Angel—otherwise, she wouldn't have healed a wounded Devil despite being a believer. However, if she were asked whether she was willing to stay among them, that was a question she would have to carefully consider.

That was precisely why Kaiser phrased it this way.

"I'll be even more direct with you," Kaiser said flatly. "These Fallen Angels want you because they desire your Sacred Gear. If you stay with them, unaware of their true intentions, you will eventually die."

Raynare's ritual would indeed allow her to take Asia's Sacred Gear—but the consequence was Asia's immediate death.

If that wasn't a sacrifice, then what was?

"In that case, you'd be better off coming with me."

"As an exchange, in accepting you, I will take responsibility for everything about you."

"Whether it’s a place to stay or anything else, I will provide it for you."

Kaiser spoke so plainly that Asia couldn't find any flaw in his reasoning.

She had nowhere left to go. Having been exiled from the Church, she was no different from the Stray Exorcists who had been cast out as well. That was why she had agreed to their invitation and joined their group.

Now that she knew they had only invited her because of her Sacred Gear, intending to use her as a sacrificial pawn, she felt not only shocked but also hurt and lost.

For someone like her, Kaiser's words undoubtedly struck a chord.

However…

"Kaiser-san… are you like me?" Asia hesitantly asked. "Are you also a Stray Exorcist?"

That was the only possibility she could think of.

"Of course not." Kaiser shook his head. "As for who I am, you'll naturally find out in time. I won't bother explaining it all here."

"What you really want to know is where I stand and who I belong to, right?"

"Well… the place I belong to right now isn’t exactly righteous. In fact, before long, it may become something even more feared and reviled than the Fallen Angels or Devils."

"But don’t worry—you’re following me, not anyone else. As long as you don’t want to, I won’t force you to do anything."

Kaiser had indeed come here under the Hero Faction’s orders to recruit people, but he had no intention of letting Asia fall into the abyss that was the Khaos Brigade—the world’s most notorious terrorist organization.

His real plan was to do something similar to what Rias and Cao Cao had done—recruit a group of followers and form his own faction within the Khaos Brigade.

This wasn't uncommon. Many prominent figures, whether they be Devils, Angels, Fallen Angels, or even key figures from various factions, were recruiting members and forming their own groups, operating worldwide.

In the future, the Devils’ Rating Games would be popularized across all major factions, and when that time came, every faction’s elites would be scrambling to recruit the best talent to form teams and participate.

Even the original protagonist’s greatest rival—the so-called deuteragonist of this world—had done the same thing after joining the Khaos Brigade. He had refused to align with any specific faction and instead formed his own independent force, acting however he pleased.

Although Kaiser was currently a member of the Hero Faction, he had no plans to stay there for long. Sooner or later, he would break away and form his own team, traveling the world and making this second life of his as thrilling as possible.

And Asia was the first person he wanted to recruit—the first teammate he sought to bring into his ranks.

Her healing abilities were second only to a team’s leader in importance.

"I understand that you're confused right now, that you don’t know what to do. So, I’ll give you time."

Kaiser wasn’t expecting Asia to make a decision on the spot. He simply told her, "Stay with me for now. Think it over carefully before you make your choice."

Hearing this, Asia finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Not having to decide immediately was certainly a good thing.

"T-Then… I’ll be in your care, Kaiser-san."

Asia bowed her head, expressing her gratitude.

Kaiser nodded and said no more. He simply handed the menu back to Asia.

Now, she could finally focus on ordering her meal.

Chapter 110: The Hidden Observer

After finishing their meal and chatting about the essentials, Kaiser took Asia and Raynare to the nearby shopping center to purchase necessities for Asia.

Having been exiled from the Church, Asia had lost everything—not just her social connections, reputation, and status, but even the life she had known up to this point.

She had dedicated her entire childhood and teenage years to the Church, earning the title of "Saint" and the reverence of devout believers. But because she had been placed on such a high pedestal, no one had ever truly approached her. She had spent those years in near-isolation, unable to form genuine relationships.

As a result, Asia was not only unfamiliar with the outside world but also severely lacking in social skills. Her daily life was an absolute mess, and now, in a foreign country where she struggled even with communication, she was incapable of handling the simplest tasks—let alone surviving on her own.

Perhaps this was why she had been so easily deceived by the Stray Exorcists. Desperate and with nowhere to turn, she had fallen into their trap, believing that joining them was her only option.

Unfortunately, that had been nothing more than another cruel deception. Had Kaiser not intervened, Asia would have ended up as nothing more than a pawn for Raynare.

Understanding this, Kaiser assigned all of Asia's affairs to Raynare—whether it was buying clothes, essential supplies, or anything else a girl might need.

Even their place of residence was arranged by Raynare. For the past two days, Kaiser had been staying in the location she provided, waiting for her return. Now, Asia would be moving in as well.

Naturally, Raynare was seething.

Who did he think she was?

She was a proud Fallen Angel!

And yet, a mere human had the audacity to treat her like a servant, ordering her around as if she were his personal maid. This was nothing short of an insult to Raynare, the great Fallen Angel!

Raynare was furious.

But after venting her anger for a brief moment… she obediently followed Kaiser's instructions.

What else could she do?

She still had that ominous, cursed sword tucked away in her coat.

She had yet to win that "great one's" affection—how could she afford to die in such a pathetic manner?

While submitting to a weak human would have been humiliating, Kaiser had already proven himself strong enough to easily defeat the next heir of the Gremory Clan and toy with High-Class Devils. He could no longer be considered weak.

If submitting to a weak human was unacceptable…

Then submitting to a powerful one wasn't so bad, was it?

Raynare consoled herself with this thought as she helped Asia pick out clothing, hygiene products, and even fresh groceries.

She hadn't forgotten that the only reason she was still alive wasn’t just because Kaiser had needed her to bring Asia over—

She had also made a promise…

A promise to learn how to cook.

"Why does a noble Fallen Angel like me have to do such degrading tasks…?"

Raynare’s inner voice was filled with grievances, but she had no choice but to comply.

While the two girls were busy shopping, Kaiser left them to their own devices and quietly slipped out of the shopping center.

---

He entered a narrow alleyway.

The passage was shrouded in shadows, with tall buildings on both sides blocking out the sunlight, leaving the place dim even in broad daylight.

Garbage bags and trash bins were strewn across the alley, along with various discarded items, giving the air a foul, rotting stench.

Kaiser wrinkled his nose as he reached the end of the alley, stretched out his hand, and activated a magic circle left behind earlier.

*“Zing—”*

A faint glow radiated from the formation.

Within the glow, a transmission of information took place, and Kaiser absorbed the message.

"So, that's where you are?"

A glint of understanding flashed in his eyes as he turned his head toward a particular direction.

"I've found you."

---

A few streets away, not far from the shopping center and café where Kaiser had been earlier, the city remained lively and bustling with activity.

Among the sea of pedestrians, however, there was one figure who stood out.

A young man—handsome, refined, and exuding an air of sophistication—walked down the street.

Though his appearance was striking, he was dressed in stark contrast to the summer heat, clad in a black outfit with a thick, fur-lined cloak draped over his shoulders, as if completely unbothered by the temperature.

But what made him truly out of place wasn't just his attire.

His eyes, constantly narrowed into slits, scanned his surroundings with an eerie coldness—not as if he were looking at people, but as if he were observing livestock in a slaughterhouse.

"Tsk…"

Suddenly, the young man clicked his tongue, shattering the illusion of his composed demeanor.

"This is truly unpleasant," he muttered to himself, his mood visibly worsening.

His growing frustration manifested in the form of an invisible pressure radiating from his body.

That pressure—

Was the gradual expansion of Demonic Power.

Just as his emotions were about to spiral out of control and his energy threatened to surge uncontrollably—

"Hey."

A hand reached out from behind him, landing firmly on his shoulder.

“—!”

The young man's pupils contracted sharply. He attempted to turn around, but the hand pressing against his shoulder locked him in place.

"I know you're shocked, but there's no need to be. Just stay put and listen."

The voice came from directly behind him—casual, relaxed, but carrying an unmistakable weight.

"If I were to tell you that you will die today…"

"What would you want to do most?"

"Would you struggle and fight back—only to be killed anyway?"

"Or… would you begin repenting from this very moment and beg for mercy?"

When these words reached the young man's ears, he could no longer hold back.

“Boom!”

A tremendous surge of demonic power erupted from his body, transforming into a destructive storm that threatened to obliterate the entire street.

However, before that could happen, a violet light flared up, enveloping the young man. Instantly, the gravity around him reversed, and his entire body shot skyward like a launched rocket, soaring uncontrollably into the heavens.

The sudden phenomenon naturally caused a stir on the bustling street, with many bystanders exclaiming in shock, their eyes widening as they watched the fiery figure streak toward the sky.

Because of this, the explosion of demonic power from the young man's body did not land on the street below but instead erupted in midair, preventing widespread destruction and the loss of countless lives.

“What… what the hell is happening?!”

The young man felt a dizzying sensation as his entire body spiraled out of control, zigzagging through the air. His startled voice rang out.

“Bang!”

Moments later, a fist glowing with white energy slammed mercilessly into his face, sending him hurtling away like a broken kite.

In that instant, nearly everyone in Kuoh Town could see a blazing comet streaking across the sky before crashing into a distant mountain.

“Boom—!”

The impact sent tremors rippling through the mountain, shaking its very foundation.

Dust and debris billowed into the air as shattered rocks tumbled downward.

“Cough…!”

The young man staggered out of the crater of rubble, coughing up blood. His entire body trembled, and he swayed unsteadily, looking utterly battered and miserable.

“Not bad.”

A voice echoed from behind him, just as a shadow loomed overhead.

“That punch just now—yeah, I didn’t hold back at all. I poured every ounce of Touki into it. And yet, you didn’t get your skull caved in. Gotta say, you’ve got one hell of a hard head.”

The speaker descended from the sky, his fingers loosely gripping a crimson scythe, his face carrying an expression of amusement laced with mockery.

“Well, I suppose it makes sense. If your head wasn’t that thick, you wouldn’t have pulled such a scummy stunt. But I wonder… are the other parts of you just as tough?”

Every word dripped with hostility, making it clear that this was no friendly visit.

“It’s you?”

The young man’s eyes widened in fury as he glared at the smirking figure before him, a deep killing intent flashing within them.

“Oh? So you do know me.”

Kaiser remained unfazed by the murderous gaze and spoke leisurely, “Did you already know about me before this? Or was it only after I got involved with Asia that you decided to look into me?”

“If it’s the former, then whatever. But if it’s the latter… then I doubt you’ve had time to dig up much about me, have you?”

“I’m right, aren’t I? Diodora Astaroth.”

If anyone else had been present to hear that name, they would have immediately realized just who this young man was.

Diodora—perhaps not everyone knew that name.

But Astaroth?

That was a name that no one in the supernatural world could possibly be ignorant of.

It was one of the noble 72 Pillars of the Underworld, a lineage as prestigious as the House of Gremory.

Furthermore, among the current Four Great Satans, one bore the surname Astaroth before ascending to the rank of Maou.

Diodora Astaroth—he was the heir of the Astaroth family, just like Rias Gremory was for the Gremory household.

However, unlike his prior interaction with Rias, Kaiser did not treat this man with the same level of courtesy.

Though his lips carried a smirk, his eyes were devoid of any warmth. Instead, they were as cold as when he had confronted that white-haired exorcist earlier.

“Haha… Hahahaha…!”

Bathed in Kaiser’s frigid gaze, Diodora suddenly burst into laughter—a crazed, manic laugh.

“You really have no idea what you’ve just done! Hah, walking straight into my hands? You truly don’t know fear!”

Just moments ago, he had been fuming over the fact that this man had stolen his ‘prey.’

And now, that very same person had come knocking on his door.

Wasn’t this the perfect chance to vent his frustration?

“You knew who I was and still dared to provoke me? You even dared to lay hands on me?” Diodora wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his expression twisting in fury.

“For that alone, you’re dead today.”

A tidal wave of wrath and murderous intent burst forth from his body.

"You wretched, lowly human! Burn this lesson into your very soul—raising your hand against a High-Class Devil of the Astaroth family is the height of stupidity!"

(End of Chapter)