It turned out Leo's idea was correct.
After only an hour, Yuuki Asuna seemed to have accepted the current situation and came out of her room.
"Anyway, thank you for saving me."
In the garden pavilion, Yuuki Asuna, who had changed into her original uniform, was led by a maid Retainer. She bowed to Leo and Yukinoshita Yukino, who were sitting together drinking tea, to express her gratitude.
"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be standing here right now, so... I'm truly grateful."
Yuuki Asuna expressed herself very earnestly, her long chestnut hair swaying up and down with her bow, full of grace.
"Well, it's good that you can accept reality, otherwise I might have had to spend some effort to convince you."
Leo held a cup of black tea, slowly sipping it while smiling at Yuuki Asuna.
"Please sit," Yukinoshita Yukino said to Yuuki Asuna. "We are all companions. Although he is nominally our master, he doesn't fuss over these things, so you don't need to be so reserved."
Leo immediately glanced at Yukinoshita Yukino.
This woman had changed; originally aloof and unapproachable, she now knew how to say such considerate words. It truly felt like the sun had risen in the west.
Little did he know, Yukinoshita Yukino was merely reminded of her past self by Yuuki Asuna, which prompted a bit of compassionate consideration; she hadn't actually changed her nature.
At Sobu High School, Yukinoshita Yukino remained as solitary and unapproachable as ever, an undisputed winter flower in everyone's eyes.
Only Leo, by virtue of his status as her master, could still control her. If he were merely a handsome third-year student, Yukinoshita Yukino probably wouldn't even give him a proper look.
"Are you also Mr. Leo's... Retainer?"
Yuuki Asuna didn't refuse. After sitting down next to the two, she hesitated before striking up a conversation with Yukinoshita Yukino.
"Although I'm reluctant to admit it, that is indeed the case. I have no choice," Yukinoshita Yukino said expressionlessly. "My name is Yukinoshita Yukino, and I am this guy's... Leo Erigid's 'Bishop.'"
"Yukinoshita?" Yuuki Asuna paused slightly, surprised. "Is it that Yukinoshita?"
Evidently, Yuuki Asuna had also heard of the Yukinoshita Family.
"You know?"
Yukinoshita Yukino was somewhat surprised.
Although a prominent family, the Yukinoshita Family was merely a local wealthy family in Chiba Prefecture. Compared to the wealthy Yuuki Family in Tokyo, there was still a gap.
Tokyo is, after all, the capital, and Chiba is just a prefecture. So, even if they were quite powerful, in the eyes of many wealthy families in Tokyo, the Yukinoshita Family was nothing more than a wealthy rural household, and they would inherently view them with a certain prejudice.
In terms of family power alone, the Yukinoshita Family had nothing that the Yuuki Family would deem noteworthy.
Yuuki Asuna's father is the CEO of a large electronics manufacturer with a nationwide presence, while Yukinoshita Yukino's father is only the president of a construction company, but also serves as a prefectural assembly member. His reputation in political circles might be greater than in business, but he is still just a prefectural assembly member.
Yuuki Asuna's mother is a university professor with numerous students and extensive connections, while Yukinoshita Yukino's mother is merely a member of a local guardian association, also significantly lower in status compared to the former.
Therefore, Yukinoshita Yukino knew of the Yuuki Family's existence, but didn't think Yuuki Asuna would know of the Yukinoshita Family's existence.
Unexpectedly, Yuuki Asuna knew her family.
As Yukinoshita Yukino was thinking this, Yuuki Asuna told her something that wasn't very pleasant.
"Because I've met your older sister, Miss Yukinoshita Haruno," Yuuki Asuna honestly replied. "My brother was invited to a banquet by the wealthy families here. When we arrived, many local families came to greet us, and Miss Haruno was among them."
"She is very beautiful and excellent, with graceful manners. My brother enjoyed talking with her and later gave her a very high evaluation, believing she might be able to lead the Yukinoshita Family to a new height."
Yuuki Asuna was also deeply impressed by Yukinoshita Haruno, admiring her composure and ability to navigate among so many representatives of wealthy families with ease. She even somewhat yearned to be like her, feeling that was the true demeanor of a proper young lady.
Unlike herself, who merely numbly followed her family's arrangements, undergoing so-called elite training, being sculpted bit by bit into a signboard to adorn the family's reputation... Thinking of this, Yuuki Asuna's eyes dimmed slightly.
"Sister..."
Yukinoshita Yukino's expression became even more complex, and she suddenly didn't feel like talking.
Her sister was still so outstanding, even wealthy families from Kyoto praised her highly.
Would she truly have a day when she could catch up to her sister?
Yukinoshita Yukino felt lost because of this.
The atmosphere in the pavilion suddenly chilled. The two young ladies stopped talking, falling into silence, which even made Leo chuckle a little.
However, before he could speak, Yuuki Asuna recovered first.
Compared to becoming a devil and encountering the supernatural world, her family matters seemed insignificant.
"Miss Yukinoshita is Mr. Leo's 'Bishop', right?" Yuuki Asuna looked at Leo, hesitating as she asked, "Then what about me? Which devil chess piece was I reincarnated with?"
Since Leo had already explained the concept of devil chess pieces, Yuuki Asuna wouldn't fail to understand any of this.
But it wasn't Leo who answered the question, but Yukinoshita Yukino.
"You are a 'Knight.'"
Yukinoshita Yukino composed herself and spoke bluntly.
"Like me, you are a chess piece worth the equivalent of three 'Pawns.'"
Because Yukinoshita Yukino was present when Leo used a devil chess piece to reincarnate Yuuki Asuna, she knew which piece Leo had used and what position Yuuki Asuna now held.
"'Knight'?" Yuuki Asuna said, somewhat surprised. "I'm a... 'Knight'?"
It was no wonder she was so surprised. After all, according to Leo, the characteristic of a 'Knight' among devils is speed, making it a clear melee unit.
And her?
She was a young lady who had received an elite education, primarily focused on knowledge and etiquette, not on any athletic training.
Making her engage in melee combat?
Wasn't that just sending her to her death?
"Don't be surprised, this is the chess piece's own choice." Leo saw Yuuki Asuna stunned there, finally put down his teacup, and said, "Of course, there were three types of chess pieces that reacted to you: 'Rook,' 'Knight,' and 'Pawn.'"
"Among them, the 'Knight' chess piece had the strongest reaction, almost comparable to the 'Bishop' chess piece I used for Yukino's reincarnation back then."
"This indicates that you have great potential to be a 'Knight'; it's just that you haven't brought out that potential yourself yet."
With that, Leo began to instruct Yuuki Asuna.
"You, me... and Yukino, all possess a unique power called a Sacred Gear within us."
"Before, this power wasn't awakened, but now that you are a devil, you have magic power, and your physique has undergone significant changes. You should be able to awaken the Sacred Gear within you autonomously."
"Close your eyes, imagine the form of the strongest being in your mind, and then approach it."
Leo's guidance sounded ordinary, but his voice seemed to carry a power that could shake Yuuki Asuna's soul, making her inexplicably believe him.
So, Yuuki Asuna stood up, closed her eyes, and, as Leo instructed, imagined the strongest being in her mind.
The strongest being in her mind... or rather, the most dominant being, was her mother.
Her education was closely monitored and supervised by her mother, and she had been strictly disciplined by her mother since childhood. Therefore, in her mind, her mother's image had always been very intimidating, making her fearful and reverent.
Now, recalling her mother's stern demeanor from the past, the emotions in Yuuki Asuna's heart were stirred.
Immediately, emotions drove her magic power, and magic power ignited her body, awakening the hidden power within Yuuki Asuna.
"Clang!"
Next to Yuuki Asuna, a sword suddenly emerged from the ground, letting out a metallic clang.
This sword exuded a terrifying spiritual energy, sacred and powerful, making Yukinoshita Yukino jump up as if pricked by needles. Leo also felt a stinging sensation on his skin, causing him to narrow his eyes.
"Clang!" "Clang!" "Clang!" "Clang!"... Swords continuously emerged around Yuuki Asuna. Each sword had a different appearance and even different lengths. Some were Western swords, some were Japanese katanas, some long, some short, yet without exception, they all exuded sacred spiritual energy, forcing Yukinoshita Yukino to retreat repeatedly.
"What kind of Sacred Gear is this?"
Yukinoshita Yukino's face was filled with horror.
At this moment, she felt a threat from these swords that far surpassed the Swords of Light used by Exorcists.
If light was poison to devils, then these swords were nuclear weapons capable of erasing even souls.
Compared to these swords, angels and Fallen Angels who could manipulate light power were nothing.
These swords before her were the true natural enemies of devils.
And that was indeed the case.
"These are Holy Swords, sacred weapons created by those who reached the realm of gods using magic or alchemy, and they are the natural enemies of all demonic beings."
Leo's voice gently echoed in the air.
"Including devils, any demonic being that touches a Holy Sword will have its body scorched. If slain by a Holy Sword, it will be annihilated on the spot, with not even its soul being recoverable."
These sacred weapons are things that have been passed down through history, appearing in various legends.
Excalibur, Durandal, Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, Hauteclere... These legendary swords are all Holy Swords, sacred relics that only appear with a wielder every few decades.
And Yuuki Asuna's Sacred Gear was related to Holy Swords.
"Holy Sword Creation (Blade Blacksmith) — a rare Sacred Gear capable of creating Holy Swords of any attribute depicted in the wielder's mind, capable of astonishing power if the user's skill is strong enough."
This was Yuuki Asuna's Sacred Gear.
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