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After finishing breakfast with the Gremory family, Bokue directly teleported away from the Underworld.
In the next instant, the scenery shifted back to the luxurious hotel suite in Tokyo.
Morning sunlight poured through expansive glass windows, bathing the elegant interior in gentle golden rays.
Right in the center of the spacious living room, the young man's figure appeared out of thin air.
"Oh! Welco back, Bokue-san~"
He had barely opened his eyes before a cheerful voice rang out nearby—unmistakably Maria's. Turning his head slightly, he saw not just Maria, but everyone already fully prepared and ready to go, including Yuki and Kurumi.
"You all got up this early?" Bokue blinked, genuinely surprised. He'd originally expected he'd have to wait around, maybe even give a motivating speech or sothing to get them moving.
Apparently, that wasn't necessary...
Maria playfully tilted her head, hands clasped cutely behind her back as she flashed her usual impish smile. "Well, it's about Mio-sama, after all. Of course we'd all take this seriously."
Yuki didn't even bother with words—she simply raised a hand slightly, summoning forth the unmistakable radiance of the Hero's power. A slim, elegant sword materialized effortlessly in her grip. Her calm voice carried a firm certainty as she said:
"For , wherever Bokue is, that's where ho is. If you're going, I will follow."
Kurumi, slightly flustered and averting her eyes shyly, mumbled softly as she adjusted the shimring elental bracelet wrapped securely around her slender wrist. "I—I'm mostly going to keep an eye on you! God knows what trouble you'll cause if nobody's watching."
As for Zest—there was no doubt there. She was already an experienced warrior. Dressed once again in her signature battle attire, she held her greatsword confidently, returning instantly to the formidable Valkyrie she truly was.
Finally, the charming lady herself—Sheila—rose gracefully from the couch and clapped her hands lightly, smiling with confidence.
"Looks like everyone's ready to go, hmm? Well then, shall we?"
"Just one sec." Bokue raised an eyebrow slightly, snapping his fingers gently. A powerful spatial fluctuation surged through the room, rippling gently through the air until a golden circular portal materialized seamlessly before their eyes.
"Alright, let's move."
Without another word, he stepped forward directly through the glowing gate. Everyone quickly followed behind him.
No flashy special effects, no complex warp tunnels—just stepping calmly through an illuminated archway.
Rather reminiscent of Doraemon's "Anywhere Door,".
The only difference was that the doorway wasn't wooden but a curtain of pure golden light, blocking their sight until the mont they erged through it, lending it an air of magical mystery like pulling aside a magician's velvet curtain.
❁❁❁❁
Stepping through that shimring gate, a gentle Underworld breeze brushed their faces. Opening their eyes, the group imdiately found themselves greeted by warm sunlight, lush greenery, and an imposing castle ahead.
"This place...could it be...?"
Mio stiffened imdiately. Knowing that today they'd confront the entire Old Demon Lord faction, the mont her eyes fell upon the towering castle she grew tense, instinctively expecting enemies to leap out at any mont.
Yet no enemies appeared. Instead, she heard Bokue's calm voice speaking to soone else nearby.
"Rias, is your group ready? I brought Mio and the others here already."
"Yes, just a mont—we're coming out now."
Right on cue, the great front doors of the castle swung open, and a radiant crimson-haired figure erged gracefully into the morning sunlight, accompanied by an entourage of dazzling young ladies.
Mio found herself involuntarily stepping back. Whether due to so invisible thread of bloodline or an instinctive sense of rivalry, her eyes were instantly captivated by the elegant, fiery-haired girl approaching them.
Even Mio herself reluctantly admitted that, despite being undeniably attractive and standing among the best in looks and figure, she felt inexplicably overshadowed before this noble young woman.
It wasn't just beauty or body shape. It was sothing deeper, more fundantal—the sheer presence radiating from her. If Mio was like a charming neighbor girl raised by her grandparents, then this young lady was unquestionably the refined noble daughter ticulously raised in an aristocratic mansion.
That was roughly how it felt.
As Mio was caught in these scattered thoughts, the girl called Rias had already reached her.
Due to the slight difference in age, Rias stood half a head taller than Mio. Facing one another, even without heels, Rias effortlessly looked down at Mio from above, exuding a cold yet alluring aristocratic aura.
"So you're...Mio Naruse?" she asked calmly, though the slight curiosity in her voice couldn't be concealed.
Mio puffed her cheeks out a bit defiantly, mustering her pride. "Yes, that's . Got a problem?"
"...No, not really." Rias hesitated briefly, glancing away before finishing softly, "Just wanted to make sure—"
"Eeek??"
Her calm facade cracked instantly as a pair of arms suddenly wrapped securely around her slim waist from behind.
The graceful, aloof noble girl instantly dissolved into a blushing, shy maiden.
Familiar warmth enveloped her back as Bokue leaned forward, resting his chin gently upon her shoulder, his voice carrying an unmistakable teasing amusent.
"Hmm? I'm just giving you a welcoming hug. It's been a while, after all. Aren't you going to greet your dear distant cousin a bit more nicely?"
"I—I will!" Rias stamred softly, suddenly realizing her reaction just monts ago had been a bit too stiff. She imdiately softened her expression.
From the side, Akeno walked up calmly, gracefully placing one hand on her cheek, gently giggling behind her other palm. "Ara ara~ It seems even our esteed president has her nervous monts, hmm? Please don't misunderstand, Mio-san. Rias is truly a kind person—she's probably just struggling a little about how to approach you. She'll co around shortly."
"Oh...Thank you..." Mio began, genuinely grateful. But before she could properly thank her, another voice cut her off suddenly.
"Move aside, everyone—let Mama get a look at her~"
Mama?
Before Mio had ti to fully process this, she found herself instantly wrapped in a warm, fragrant embrace. A charming, mature woman with chestnut hair was hugging her tightly, enthusiastically rubbing her cheek gently against Mio's.
"Oh my~ You really look so much like our dear Rias! It almost feels like I've suddenly gained another daughter."
"Umm..." Mio hesitated shyly, her cheeks tinged slightly pink as she glanced between this overly affectionate lady and the flustered Rias, who was still blushing furiously while trapped within Bokue's embrace.
For so reason, seeing them both react this way made Mio feel unexpectedly at ease. Perhaps these people weren't so difficult to get along with after all...
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