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"You heard us talk about our chess pieces earlier, didn't you, Senpai?"
Koneko understood why Anos had been puzzled.
If all they needed was strength, then the man who had just defeated her sister would clearly be the better choice.
"I know, you're a Rook."
Anos nodded.
In time, Koneko would grow into a durable frontline type something between a fortress and a spellbreaker.
Unlike Kuroka.
That difference stemmed from the peculiar influence of Devil Chess Pieces. Kuroka had reincarnated with a Bishop piece. Koneko carried the Rook.
"Everyone in the peerage is a piece, Buchou, as the King, commands us in battle."
"And those battles are called Rating Games."
"In the Underworld, victory in a Rating Game brings immense prestige. If Buchou can defeat her current fiancé in a Rating Game… she might win her freedom."
"I understand."
Anos barely needed a moment.
"I'll contact Le Fay."
There was one thing he did not tell her.
He had already run the calculation.
Even if Koneko trained under Kuroka and reached the peak of High-Class Devil in a short period of time, her chances of defeating Riser Phenex were nearly nonexistent.
Unless Kuroka herself intervened.
Only Kuroka's mastery of Senjutsu might directly sever a Phoenix's regenerative lifeline.
Anos chose not to tell Koneko that.
It would only crush her resolve.
And in his projection—
Though the probability was minuscule, it was not zero And as long as it wasn't zero, effort mattered.
"But is that the only reason you walked me home?" he added lightly. "I'm a little hurt, so I'm just a bridge to someone else's contact information?"
"Senpai… I… that's not…"
Koneko panicked immediately.
She did not want him to think she had only followed him for that reason.
"I walked with you because… because…"
Her voice faltered.
"…because being next to you feels comfortable."
The words slipped out before she could stop them, An honest confession, delivered unintentionally.
"Heh, Alright, alright, I know, I was just teasing you~"
Anos gently patted her soft white hair.
"I'll handle it."
"Senpai… you're really unfair."
She realized what he had done.
He had teased her on purpose to pull her out of her heavy mood.
[But you're the best Senpai.]
She added that silently in her heart.
---
After coordinating with the magical girl Le Fay, Koneko arranged a meeting location with Kuroka.
And at last—
Anos had time for his own agenda.
"The sunset's unusually red today…"
He stared at the horizon.
Then, from his chest, a silver jewel manifested.
The World Dragon's Jewel.
A relic capable of absorbing draconic power.
A living dragon might resist.
A dragon soul?
It would have no defense at all.
"The Boosted Gear is like meat on a cutting board before its host awakens."
With that thought, Anos stepped beyond the academy gates.
Even though Issei Hyoudou had not enrolled at Kuoh Academy in this timeline, Anos had quietly tracked his movements.
Recently—
Issei had started dating a girl named Yuma Amano.
Originally, Anos had expected her little game to continue for a while But after yesterday's incident involving the Evil Dragon's lingering soul, she had likely decided to wrap things up early and leave the area.
Kill Issei tonight.
Eliminate Akeno's involvement.
Tomorrow, capture Asia Argento.
Relocate the Sacred Gear.
That was her plan.
"Hmm?"
Just as Anos was about to calculate their current location and teleport over—
Two purple treasure chests appeared on his map.
[Ding.]
[Treasure Chest triggered, Grade: Purple.]
[Unlock condition: Fallen Black Wings — Eliminate all Fallen Angels within Kuoh Town.]
[Ding.]
[Treasure Chest triggered, Grade: Purple.]
[Unlock condition: Subdue a Dragon Soul of Heavenly Dragon rank or higher.]
Anos narrowed his eyes.
"Yuma Amano… you really are convenient."
Both objectives aligned perfectly with his intentions.
Just as he despised corrupted Stray Devils—
He also despised tainted Fallen Angels.
Not all were detestable But most low-ranking Fallen Angels embodied chaos and decay.
If trash accumulated in one's backyard—
Cleaning it up was only natural.
---
Somewhere in Kuoh Town.
Yuma dropped her fabricated purity.
Her form shifted into something alluring and dangerous—black wings unfurling behind her.
"Ah… this form feels wonderful."
Issei stared, nose already bleeding.
His new girlfriend had just transformed into a seductive winged beauty.
His brain short-circuited.
"So… could you die for me?"
She repeated herself, just in case he hadn't processed it.
"Huh? Yuma-chan? What do you mean?"
He laughed nervously.
The wings.
The hovering.
The aura.
Something was terribly wrong.
"Do you know why I chose that name?"
"What?"
"It's so I could kill you at sunset."
Reynare smiled down at him.
Amused.
Delighted.
And behind her—
The sky deepened to crimson.
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