Chapter 14: Fou: Little Sis, From Now On, This Beast’s Got Your Back!

Boom——————————————

The thunderous explosion echoed throughout the land. Ren looked at the church collapsing with a deafening crash and couldn't help but let out a wry smile.

He hadn't placed too many restrictions on Fou, but he hadn't expected her to go this far.

Still, it didn't really matter. To Ren, Fou's antics were no different from a mischievous prank pulled by a child. Even if this so-called child was actually who knows how many years older than him!

"Uwaa... Master, don't tell me that thing is Fou..."

Kuroka stared at the scene before her, and a cutesy little figure instantly popped up in her mind.

Although she had never seen Fou show any real strength since being summoned, that creature had devoured a mountain of food, most of it radiating a deadly aura to her senses...

Even if Fou had never revealed its power, Kuroka would never underestimate a pet that Ren seemed so fond of.

That creature must have something truly special about it!

And now... it seems she wasn't wrong at all...

Although Kuroka herself could easily pull off something like that, she hadn't sensed even a trace of danger during that recent burst of power. Which meant? It meant that Fou could flatten her without revealing any of its true strength!

She might not even realize what hit her!

Kuroka knew she was far stronger now than in the past, but she wasn't delusional.

In this entire world, her strength wasn't as unmatched as she once imagined.

"Hm... looks like Fou is having fun."

"Having fun..."

Ren's casual comment left Kuroka speechless, and a little envious.

If only she could make a scene out in the world and hear Ren say something like "looks like you had fun"...

It was like when a parent catches you causing trouble and instead of scolding, just asks, "Did you have fun?" That kind of reassurance… it really hit different.

She finally had someone to rely on.

"By the way, your sister is arriving too. Want to get ready?"

Ren reminded Kuroka gently. She wasn't planning on revealing herself so soon.

Sure enough, hearing his words, Kuroka turned into a small cat and curled up obediently in Ren's arms.

In this dangerous world, only her master's embrace offered any warmth at all.

Watching her base turned to rubble, Raynare trembled slightly.

Based on Ren and Kuroka's conversation, it must've been that creature—Fou—who caused all this.

As expected, none of the man's pets were to be messed with!

Thinking of how he had mentioned his other subordinates, Raynare started feeling a little sorry for Mittelt and Kalawarna. If she was lucky enough to survive, what about them...?

Well, honestly, in some dark corner of her heart, she hoped they'd end up the same way...

It was the only way to feel a little balanced inside.

Here she was, drained of her power and forced to work as a store clerk for a human!

If her old subordinates saw her like this, they'd die laughing!

If Ren brought her just to laugh at her expense and didn't drain them too... she'd be seriously bitter.

Following the trail of energy, they arrived. Fou's aura was now directly ahead.

After passing a patch of trees, Ren caught Fou as it leapt straight at him.

Feeling squeezed in Ren's embrace, Kuroka stretched her body uncomfortably.

It was too cramped. She was about ready to shove the other one out.

But as soon as she turned her head, she locked eyes with Fou.

Fou: "Fou? (Hey lil' sis, what's your deal?)"

Kuroka: "…"

Lowering her head in silence and shrinking back into Ren's chest, Kuroka muttered to herself: nope nope nope...

She'd grown stronger, sure—but clearly still no match. Judging by the pecking order at home... she might only rank above Raynare now.

Tears of frustration welled up in her heart.

Being a pet wasn't easy either...

"Ren!"

"Raynare!"

Voices from Rias and the fallen angels rang out simultaneously, drawing everyone's attention.

"Meow..."

Seeing how crowded Ren's arms had become, Kuroka wisely jumped out and ran toward the her sister.

Fou nodded approvingly at the sight.

"Fou... Fou... (Lil' sis, from now on I got your back!)"

Kuroka: "…"

She could vaguely understand what Fou meant, and was dumbfounded. She'd always been the one calling others "little sis"—now she was the one being called that...

Koneko picked up Kuroka naturally, making Ren wonder how she'd react once she learned the cat she always cuddled with was actually her older sister.

"Raynare-san! Why are you with a human?!"

"Raynare! Watch out for those devils and the beast in his arms..."

Mittelt and Kalawarna rushed over to pull their boss away.

But mid-sentence, they suddenly froze, eyes wide in shock.

"Raynare-san... your power…"

"...It's gone..."

Indeed, the two of them could clearly sense it—Raynare's power had vanished.

Not just drained—completely erased. They couldn't even be sure she was still a fallen angel anymore. She merely looked like someone who shared Raynare's appearance.

Realizing this, their faces twisted into mocking smirks.

Seeing those expressions, Raynare gritted her teeth.

This world really was survival of the fittest. Respect was earned through strength.

Even if she was their superior, if given a chance, these two would gladly step on her.

—Just like now!

And truthfully, Raynare hadn't exactly been kind or gentle with them either…

"So that's what happened. Beaten by a human and turned into this!"

"Well then, we'll be off now, ~ Raynare~!"

Their mocking tones were laced with sarcasm. They glanced warily at the lazy Fou, then at Akeno and the others, and quickly prepared to retreat.

Hearing her former subordinates speak that way made Raynare's face twist in rage.

Her nails dug into her palms so hard that blood began to drip down.

Ren casually glanced at her hand and chuckled.

"Want your power back? Want to keep getting stronger?"

Raynare's pupils shrank. His devilish whisper echoed in her ears.

"In this kind of world, weakness is a sin. A few days ago, I took your power. Today, you got mocked by your own subordinates. You must hate me for it… after all, if not for me, none of this would've happened."

Her face twisted even more. Ren had hit the nail on the head. She just couldn't say it aloud.

Because she knew—speaking out now would not end well.

Even if Ren didn't retaliate, Kuroka and Fou likely would.

"But think about it. Even Azazel, the one you worship, isn't invincible. How many fallen angels does he command? You think he noticed you just because of a Sacred Gear? You're overestimating yourself. Asia's gear probably doesn't even come close to Vali's Divine Dividing..."

His words pierced her like daggers. But Ren wasn't really in the mood to keep gloating.

He was just passing the time, enjoying the drama.

Watching men fight was boring—women brawling? Now that was entertainment.

Remember how fun it was when Angewomon and LadyDevimon slapped each other around in Digimon?

So, seeing Raynare's dark expression, he changed the subject—

"Open your mouth."

Suddenly, Ren barked the order. Startled, Raynare reflexively obeyed.

Something was tossed into her mouth. She chewed.

In that moment, a power far greater than before surged through her.

To her shock, the black wings of a fallen angel once again spread from her back.

Ren pointed toward the two fleeing fallen angels with a smirk.

"Go catch them. Should be easy now, right?"

"Or… can you really stomach their mockery?"

No more words were needed. Raynare looked up at the rapidly disappearing figures.

Her eyes brimmed with darkness.

She didn't care what Ren's real plan was. Why he gave her power. Why he made her stronger.

But what she had to do right now... was very clear.

So—

"Understood, my hateful master."