Chapter 42: Conquering the Archduke's Household

Kiba Yumi slowly rose from the ground, preparing to leave.

At that moment, Rias spoke softly.

"Yumi, you are indeed an unworthy knight."

"That's exactly why you must return to my side and become a worthy knight... understand?"

"....."

Tears that Kiba Yumi had been holding back began to stream down her fair and smooth cheeks.

"Yes, President."

"I swear I will return to your side, no matter the outcome this time."

As her words fell.

Kiba Yumi felt the demonic sword in her hand tremble, an unprecedented sense of fullness and power surging through her body.

Her Sacred Gear, "Sword Birth," had entered a whole new realm!

"President, I think I finally understand what I've been missing all this time," the golden-haired knight said as she wiped away her tears.

"What have you been missing?"

"Love. Love with purpose."

"My heart was filled with nothing but hatred, but you, President, planted love within it."

"I will do everything in my power to repay the love you've shown me."

"And I will prove it—with this sword in my hand!"

The black demonic sword erupted with a dazzling light.

It was... a holy light!

With the changes in the storyline, Kiba Yumi achieved her Balance Breaker in a way different from the original!

[Balance Breaker—Holy Demonic Knight!]

In this newly awakened Balance Breaker state, the small amount of holy sword factor within Kiba Yumi erupted, transforming her demonic sword into a holy sword.

Meanwhile, her body was clad in armor forged from demonic swords!

In the original storyline, Kiba Yumi's Balance Breaker was "Twin Holy-Demonic Swords" and "Holy-Demonic Dragon Knights."

The Twin Holy-Demonic Swords created holy-demonic swords that were stronger than both holy and demonic swords.

The Holy-Demonic Dragon Knights granted her the ability to summon a legion of dragon knights for area attacks.

The "Holy Demonic Knight" was different from the two, but it had its own unique advantages.

It enhanced Kiba Yumi's speed while also granting her incredible defensive capabilities!

.....

Rias watched as Kiba Yumi left.

"Sona, was that just now..."

"Probably her Sacred Gear's Balance Breaker. Kiba Yumi must have activated it under intense emotions," Sona speculated.

"So, it seems my overprotectiveness really did hinder my servants' growth," Rias said with a bitter smile.

"It's fine, Rias. It's good that you realize it now. It's not too late."

"Sona, can't you comfort me a little?"

"Rias, what you need isn't comfort. It's discipline."

"Sona, I hate you."

"Funny, Rias. I hate you too."

[Rias, you always manage to get what I want so easily—whether it's a servant entering Balance Breaker or an engagement with Lucien.]

....

Meanwhile.

Lucien had been working tirelessly, almost day and night.

On the morning of the third day.

Lucien woke up to the sound of the system's notification.

[Ding!~]

[Congratulations, host, for triggering a Villain Sign-In!]

[Sign-In Level: Silver.]

[Sign-In Event: Conquering the Archduke's Household.]

[Requirement: Help Seekvaira Agares become the head of the Agares household and use her as a proxy to control the Archduke's family.]

....

"Control the Archduke's household?"

"It seems it's not just me thinking this way. The system is pushing me toward becoming a shadow manipulator."

Lucien muttered to himself, reaching out to stroke Seekvaira's smooth, long hair.

Feeling the movement, Seekvaira opened her eyes.

She glanced at Lucien groggily at first, then reached out to hug him.

The princess of the Agares household blushed slightly, her crimson eyes filled with reminiscence and satisfaction.

For over ten minutes, Seekvaira listened to Lucien's heartbeat and rhythm.

She had already forgotten how she had so easily fallen into Lucien's arms two days ago.

But now that things had come to this, she had to face reality.

"Haah~~~~"

"Lucien, what should we do? Pure-blooded devils aren't allowed to lose their chastity before marriage... it's related to the purity of the devil's bloodline."

"I respect your will, Lucien. Whether you want to marry into the Agares household or have me marry into yours, I'm fine with either."

After two days of continuous "activities," Seekvaira had temporarily emerged from her bewitched state.

Or perhaps, she had entered an even deeper level of attachment.

Her previous hesitation was due to not being sure of her feelings for Lucien.

But now, after their intimate connection and witnessing Lucien's strength, she wanted to address the issues she had been avoiding.

One thing was certain, though.

She absolutely did not want to be separated from Lucien.

....

"You respect my will, huh..." Lucien smiled faintly.

"What if I said I wanted to become a Maou? Would you still respect my will?"

Seekvaira straightened her expression and replied.

"Lucien, I support any decision you make."

"However, if you want to become a Maou... that path is destined to be one of carnage."

"For an overthrown Maou to reclaim their throne, they must possess the resolve to break all rules," Seekvaira said, looking directly at Lucien.

"Seekvaira, do you think I lack that resolve?" Lucien countered.

"Of course not. Over these past few days, you've already shown me your resolve quite thoroughly."

Seekvaira gently touched her slightly swollen belly. She hadn't eaten for two days, but thanks to Lucien, she didn't feel hungry at all.

"Seekvaira, I want to become a Maou not for the Leviathan bloodline, but for myself."

"I know, Lucien. You're someone with strong convictions. But the people of the Underworld won't see it that way. They'll only see you as a remnant of the old Maou faction. If you truly want to become a Maou, you'll have to... overthrow the current system of the Underworld."

"Then let's overthrow it. A system that only values bloodlines deserves to be toppled," Lucien said calmly.

Now that Seekvaira had become one of his own, there was no need to hide his intentions anymore.