Chapter 27: Kuubou

"A grimoire, huh… I do have one. Normally, no outsider could get access to it, but considering the impact of this incident, nobody should have much to say if I bring you a copy from my family."

Sona Sitri nodded.

For humans, a grimoire from the Underworld is certainly a treasure—most low-level devils don't have access, either. But she was the heir of the Sitri clan. Given how significant it was that Hikaru had cleansed Kishimojin, presenting him with a grimoire seemed fitting.

"It might take a few days, though. I still need my father's approval first."

"Alright."

Hikaru didn't haggle further. It was already rare enough to have an opportunity for systematic magic study. Once he learned real magic, his abilities could advance another step. And with his passive "Heaven Rewards Diligence," training results would come even more easily. Reaching or even surpassing the Maou (Devil King) level one day wouldn't be out of the question.

Previously, he hadn't put much stock in returning to the Campione! world because, for a mere Great Knight–class sorcerer, those at the apex—gods and godslayers—would treat him like a small fry. However, he could bide his time in this fusion world, amassing power so that once the World-Crossing Gate's energy reached 100%, he wouldn't be unprepared.

Of course, at present Hikaru was already strong enough to handle what came his way. Otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered partnering with Rias, Sona, and the others.

"Oh, and if anything else comes up that I could help with, let me know."

Hikaru said.

That remark was directed not only at Sona but also at Tsubaki Shinra. After all, "Shinra" was no ordinary surname. In Tokyo, one of the "Five Great Clans" held influence, and one of those was the "Shinra." These five families were notoriously conservative, rejecting any forces they considered "outside" their system. Because Sacred Gears are randomly bestowed upon human souls, clan members found to possess such "heretical powers" would often be ostracized—or worse. At best, they'd be exiled from the family; at worst, they might be driven to take their own lives.

Tsubaki Shinra had once suffered persecution from her own clan for harboring a Sacred Gear—rather like Rias's Queen, Akeno Himejima.

After they used a teleportation circle to send Hikaru away, Sona turned a questioning gaze on Tsubaki:

"Tsubaki, are you close to Hikaru in private?"

"No… We only have a normal connection. Why do you ask, Kaichou (President)?"

"Because when he left, he was looking at you the most. Could it be… you're his type?"

"Th-That's impossible! President, don't tease me."

Tsubaki was at a loss, half annoyed and half amused. Sure, she had a decent impression of Hikaru, but it was nothing concrete. And she and Sona were close—even if they were in a master-servant relationship, it was more akin to the friendly bonds in Rias's group.

"Compared to me, you're the popular one, President. If he were truly interested, you'd be the obvious choice."

"Hikaru is indeed a very capable prospective husband—far better than any of the candidates my family proposed."

"Eh? President, don't tell me you really...?"

Shocked, Tsubaki covered her mouth. She'd only been speaking casually; could she have guessed right?

"Unfortunately, I'm not interested in dating or marriage right now, at least until my dream is fulfilled. I'm not thinking about marriage at all."

Sona adjusted her glasses, her eyes unwavering.

"True, your aspiration is a tough one. Still, we'll always have your back."

Tsubaki said wistfully.

…

Three days after Kishimojin was purified:

An unremarkable taxi drove along the road at the foot of the mountain. Only after it had traveled some ten kilometers away from the temple did the passengers start talking.

"Seems we arrived too late. Didn't expect Kishimojin here to have already been purified."

The speaker was a young blond man in a suit and hat, wearing a smile with eyes half-closed.

"Without letting the Mummy's Arm absorb that miasma, Lord Kuubou's resurrection will be delayed again."

"So the devil faction was the one who purified Kishimojin?"

A gothic-lolita girl in black and white, also with blond hair and purple lipstick, asked from the front passenger seat.

"Maybe. After all, the Underworld has plenty of secrets we don't know."

An older man in monk's robes—bald except for a few scattered hairs—sat next to the suited fellow. He nodded and said:

"By the way, I heard on the 'inner web' that recently there's been an exorcist-hunter who uses ruthless tactics, killing all stray devils, ghouls, or evil spirits without mercy."

The blond man in the suit added:

"Yes, apparently in another devil-controlled territory, two pretty strong ghouls were taken out—and it seems to be that same 'exorcist-hunter.'"

"Huh? You think maybe he's the one who purified Kishimojin?"

The gothic-lolita asked in surprise.

"If that's so, we'd better keep an eye on him."

~~~

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