Although Leo did not reveal that he possessed the Blazing Heaven Thunder Prison, even so, in the eyes of Sona Sitri and Shinra Tsubaki, his current improvement was incredible.
"You're probably stronger than me now, aren't you?"
Sona Sitri's expression was somewhat complex.
In the past, Leo had always been weaker than her; after all, Leo was half-human, while Sona Sitri was a pure-blooded Demon, so there was an inherent gap in their magical power, and Sona Sitri had always been ahead of Leo in terms of strength.
Not to mention, Leo only recently became a High-Class Devil, whereas Sona Sitri was already a High-Class Devil before coming to the human world, much earlier than Leo, so her strength naturally couldn't be weaker than his.
As a result, this gap, which had never narrowed, was now directly eliminated or even surpassed due to the feedback from a Familiar Demon?
How strong would Leo become when he gathered all his Retainers?
"Are you trying to make me let my guard down?" Leo didn't know what Sona Sitri was thinking, but he could probably guess some of it, and immediately chuckled, "You are Sona Sentry; who would dare say they could beat you just by being stronger?"
Leo had dealt with the girl in front of him for several years and knew her abilities all too well.
Sona Sitri's strength was not considered very strong among High-Class Devils, and she couldn't even rank among the top young Demons of the same era, but her true strength wasn't in her magic or power, but in her ability to strategize.
She was intelligent and very skilled at using strategies and tactics, often using precise arrangements to toy with opponents, causing all who underestimated her to suffer a heavy defeat, being overcome by her with weaker strength.
She once had an engagement, but she never intended to go through with it. She even spread the word that she would not marry anyone weaker than herself. So, she made a deal with her original fiancé based on the outcome of a game of chess: if she won, the engagement would be unconditionally dissolved; if she lost, she would immediately bring her dowry and marry him. As a result, she won a resounding victory, breaking her original fiancé's spirit and causing him to become withdrawn. And that fiancé's strength was considerably greater than hers.
In the future, she also had a debut battle with her childhood friend Rias Gremory, with all their Retainers participating. In her party, both she and her Retainers were far inferior in strength to the Gremory Retainers, the original protagonist group. Yet, she used her strategies to put the opponent into a bitter struggle, performing so brilliantly that even the Demons of the Underworld were astonished, believing she was more suited to be a "King" than the Gremory princess.
In the future Leo knew, including the Gremory Retainers, the new generation of Demons who participated in various major events all had incredible advantages. Some had god-slaying tool wielders as Retainers, while others found alternative paths to astonishing power. Only Sona Sitri's Sentry Retainers were mostly ordinary humans, lacking talent and ability, with only one or two sacred gear wielders. Yet, she still earned the title of "One of the Four Kings of the New Generation."
Thanks to this, the Gremory Retainers, despite being full of talent and ability, always regarded the Sentry Retainers as a formidable enemy not to be underestimated. They had even fought against Gods and Demon Lords, yet they weren't afraid of powerful enemies; instead, they feared the weaker Sentry Retainers, showing that they were truly intimidated by Sona Sitri.
So, when Sona Sitri said he was stronger than her, Leo not only didn't feel happy but was a bit annoyed.
"You already have quite a few Retainers now, don't you? I just got one!"
If Leo remembered correctly, Sona Sitri should have six now.
"Recently, I discovered another talent at the academy. If there are no surprises, he should be a rare sacred gear wielder." Sona Sitri smiled gently and said, "I plan to observe him for a while, and then take him as a Retainer. If you have time, you can come and give me your opinion."
"Forget it, I still need to find Retainers myself." Leo shook his head, not that he wasn't interested, but rather he lacked enthusiasm, saying, "Yukinoshita just reincarnated as a Demon, and I still have many things to teach her. Before that, it's better not to go out wandering casually."
"Alright." Sona Sitri nodded in agreement with Leo's plan, saying, "Sobu High School, where you study, is also a very promising school. Besides Yukinoshita, there should be many other talents. Strive for it, and perhaps you can bring all these talents into your fold."
"I will."
Leo returned Sona Sitri's smile, then began to talk about other topics.
Mainly about the Fallen Angel from yesterday; Leo had completely annihilated him, which posed some problems.
But Leo's attitude was very firm on this matter.
"If the Fallen Angel side had investigated properly, they wouldn't have been unaware that Yukinoshita is someone I value. The Church has already been warned by me, yet a newly arrived low-ranking Fallen Angel dared to attack her. So even if he was destroyed, no one else is to blame."
It was the Fallen Angel who made the first move; Leo merely retaliated. What problems could arise from that?
"Aren't you afraid of breaking the current situation and causing a large-scale conflict between the Demons and Fallen Angels?"
Sona Sitri did warn him, but Leo didn't take it to heart.
"It's not just the Demons who don't want to fight again; the Fallen Angels can't afford it either. We don't want to break the situation; do they?" Leo saw through it clearly, or rather, he was fearless, smiling, "The Fallen Angels are in the wrong. Even if a few hot-blooded ones want to act recklessly, I don't think the governor of the Fallen Angels would want to see that, so there's nothing to worry about for now."
"Besides, that was just a foolish low-ranking Fallen Angel. He intruded into a High-Class Devil's territory; did he really expect to get out unscathed?"
"He dared to commit violence on the street; even if I hadn't killed him, if the Church people had found him, he would have been killed just the same."
Sona Sitri eventually acquiesced to Leo's statement.
This matter wasn't really big, and it was indeed very small. It didn't involve any important figure from the Fallen Angel side, just the life of a disobedient low-ranking Fallen Angel. Who would trouble a High-Class Devil for such a minor character?
Even if they wanted to cause trouble, they would have to weigh the cost.
At least, in Sona Sitri's opinion, once she submitted the report of today's meeting to the Underworld, Leo would definitely receive greater attention and stronger protection.
One Retainer could transform him from a newly promoted High-Class Devil into a six-winged High-Class Devil, placing his strength among the top High-Class Devils. What about when he acquired more Retainers later?
Even if not every Retainer could bring such a significant improvement, accumulating them one by one, Leo would at least become a Highest-level Demon in the future, possibly even reaching the Demon Lord level and becoming a top combatant in the Underworld.
Coupled with the fact that his Retainers already included a god-slaying tool wielder, such an extraordinary potential stock, how could the Underworld not take this seriously?
If the Fallen Angels wanted to cause him trouble over this, they would probably have to get past the Demon Lords first.
In short, Sona Sitri was merely cautioning Leo out of prudence, not truly believing that a major problem would arise.
So, after briefly advising Leo, Sona Sitri stopped discussing these matters.
"We've asked enough questions; it's time for us to take our leave."
Sona Sitri glanced at the time, then stood up.
"Aren't you staying over?"
Leo also stood up, asking with a smile.
"I have class tomorrow, so forget it." Sona Sitri pushed up her glasses and said, "Once you're less busy with things here, I'll arrange for you and my Retainers to meet and get to know each other. It won't be too late to stay over then."
"Alright." Leo knew he was just saying it casually and didn't really intend for Sona Sitri to stay overnight. He shrugged and said, "Say hello to that red-haired Annihilation Princess for me."
"I will." Sona Sitri remembered her childhood friend, smiled, and said, "She's been wanting to invite you for tea for a long time. I'll introduce you two next time there's an opportunity."
"We bid you farewell, Lord Leo, and also Yukinoshita-san."
Shinra Tsubaki bowed again, excusing her master.
"See you next time."
Yukinoshita Yukino also returned a bow, her attitude finally much better than when they first met.
Evidently, Yukinoshita Yukino had developed a good impression of Sona Sitri and Shinra Tsubaki, and was no longer as tense as she had been initially.
Sona Sitri's calm and intellectual demeanor suited her preferences, and Shinra Tsubaki was also friendly towards her. Given this, Yukinoshita Yukino naturally wouldn't remain aloof; she understood such social graces.
So, Leo and Yukinoshita Yukino together escorted Sona Sitri and Shinra Tsubaki into the basement.
"Goodbye, Leo."
"Goodbye, Sona."
"Goodbye, Yukinoshita."
"Goodbye, both seniors."
After bidding each other farewell, Sona Sitri and Shinra Tsubaki walked into the Magic Circle together, gradually disappearing in the rising red light of the Magic Circle, leaving the manor.
"Are they really Demons?" Yukinoshita Yukino watched them leave, only speaking after the Magic Circle's light had dimmed, "They don't feel like it at all."
"Then what would make someone seem like a Demon? Horns, fangs, and a ferocious face?" Leo glanced at Yukinoshita Yukino and said, "You are also a Demon now. In others' eyes, do you think you look like a Demon?"
Saying this, Leo turned and walked towards the upper part of the basement.
"Let's go, continue reading. In a few days, you'll have to learn how to be a qualified Demon."
Upon hearing this, Yukinoshita Yukino silently followed Leo's footsteps, leaving the basement...