"Clang!"
With a flash of red light, Leo's figure emerged from the Magic Circle in the manor's basement, returning once again.
"Is it done, Young Master Leo?"
Miyamoto Musashi, who was still guiding Yuuki Asuna, sensed the Magic Circle activating the moment it did and waved at Leo as he stepped out.
"More or less." Leo first glanced at Yuuki Asuna, who was still intently maintaining her sword-holding posture, then replied, "At least, her family no longer objects."
After a series of demonic whispers, Leo not only introduced the benefits of becoming his Retainer to the Yukinoshita Family women but also explained some common knowledge about the Underworld.
In the eyes of ordinary people, the Underworld is hell, and the place where demons live is certainly not a good one. Legends describe it as a terrible world with an extremely harsh environment, where purgatorial flames burn everywhere, and no normal person would want to settle there.
However, in reality, the terrifying hell people imagine is actually the Netherworld located in the lower reaches of the Underworld; the upper reaches of the Underworld are not so frightening.
Although there is no sun or moon there, there is still a sky, but the sky is purple, unlike the sky of the living world, which feels so refreshing.
There are no seas, only very large lakes, but their area is as vast as Earth. The population is not as numerous as in the human world; even if all the races living there are added up, the population is far less than that of humans. Therefore, land is very vast and cheap, unlike the living world where every inch of land is precious.
There are also forests, where monsters like hydras, water spirits Undine, Azure Thunder Dragons, and slimes live, making it very fantastical. There are also cities, which not only have pleasant environments but are even more beautiful than cities in the human world—at least, the cities in demon territories are.
As the Demon Lords would say, it's already the 21st century. Humans know how to build good environments and improve their living conditions. Demons live much longer than humans and possess extraordinary power. Is it really that difficult to build a comfortable city to live in?
If one can live comfortably, why force oneself to live in a harsh environment?
So, the Underworld is not as terrifying as ordinary people imagine; it is an extremely suitable place to live. Many demons dream of secluding themselves in one of its corners, spending their days leisurely, which might be even more comfortable than in heaven.
While introducing these, Leo also mentioned his home in the Underworld, the Erigor territory, to let the Yukinoshita Family women understand the extent of his property.
Because the land in the Underworld is so vast, even if the Erigor Family were to die out, their territory would not be seized; at most, it would just be abandoned. So, when Leo inherited everything of the Erigor Family, their territory was returned to him intact, not missing even an inch.
And the area of the Erigor territory is larger than a state in this country.
Leo found it amusing to recall the wide-eyed expressions of Yukinoshita Haruno and Mrs. Yukinoshita when he mentioned this matter and that he would bestow a portion of the territory to Yukinoshita Yukino as her family inheritance.
Bluntly speaking, when they learned that Yukinoshita Yukino, after becoming a demon, would not only avoid becoming a monster reviled by all but also not be treated as an inhuman slave by him—instead gaining extended life, eternal youth, and even a territory awaiting her inheritance and development—Mrs. Yukinoshita and Yukinoshita Haruno were tempted for a moment. They looked as if they would readily abandon their human status and pledge allegiance to him, a complete change from their previous attitude.
Ultimately, there was no suspense. Yukinoshita Yukino becoming a demon was accepted by the Yukinoshita Family, and consequently, her becoming Leo's Retainer was also accepted.
Mainly, this matter was already a foregone conclusion; even if they wanted to object, they wouldn't know how.
Could they still use the power of the Yukinoshita Family to contend for something?
If they hadn't witnessed the fierce battle between Yukinoshita Yukino and Sharon, Mrs. Yukinoshita and Yukinoshita Haruno might have had such thoughts. But having seen that battle, they clearly understood that in front of Leo, they had no ability to resist whatsoever.
Especially after Leo explained the work of demons in the human world and revealed how many important figures in Chiba were secretly his connections, Mrs. Yukinoshita and Yukinoshita Haruno further realized that even without using supernatural means, Leo could easily deal with the Yukinoshita Family.
After all, the Chiba Prefecture does not have only the Yukinoshita Family as a prominent household, nor are they the sole dominant power here. There are other renowned families more powerful than theirs, and some of these prominent families are even working for Leo.
Given this, what could they do?
They could only choose to accept.
Thus, Leo returned victorious, leaving only Yukinoshita Yukino behind.
The three mother and daughter still had some private matters to discuss, and Leo naturally wouldn't prevent them, so he simply returned first.
"The private tutor is also online now. Next, there's only the Yuuki Family left. Once that's handled, everything will be fine, right?"
During Leo's stay at the Yukinoshita Family, he also received confirmed news from his connections that Mr. and Mrs. Yuuki were already on their way to Chiba and were expected to meet him in the evening.
The meeting place was arranged by his connections, guaranteed to be high-end, grand, and classy.
Therefore... "We're going to a banquet tonight, Asuna. Don't practice too late."
Leo instructed Yuuki Asuna.
"...Understood."
Yuuki Asuna's grip on her sword tightened slightly, and she replied softly to Leo, seemingly still a bit uneasy.
Leo, however, looked indifferent, as if he wasn't going to meet family but subordinates.
This was the advantage of not being in love and only taking Retainers.
If you're in love, the other party is your future father-in-law and mother-in-law. Wouldn't you have to humble yourself and give them enough face?
But if you're taking Retainers, the other party is the parents of your Retainer. By extension, they would have to treat you like a big boss and speak to you deferentially.
"So, Young Master Leo has nothing to do until tonight?" Miyamoto Musashi suddenly said, "Then, Young Master, would you like to spar with me?"
That single sentence made both Leo and Yuuki Asuna freeze.
"Are you challenging me?"
Leo pointed at himself, somewhat surprised.
"Yes." Miyamoto Musashi admitted readily, "I've heard that Young Master, you've awakened a variant trait: the more Retainers you have, the stronger you become, right?"
"It's also been a long time since I've had a duel with anyone. I'm getting a bit antsy."
Miyamoto Musashi's challenge would not have been a rare occurrence in her lifetime.
She considered herself a ronin, and her greatest hobby was challenging strong opponents.
She wasn't bloodthirsty; it was mainly because comprehending the sword through battle was an essential path for every swordsman.
For a qualified swordsman, failing to challenge a strong opponent would be an utterly inconceivable thing.
However... "Why do you think I'm strong?"
Leo inquired with interest.
Based on what he had shown so far, outsiders would only think that even if he had become stronger, he was merely a six-winged High-Class Devil.
If the opponent were an ordinary person, Leo would undoubtedly be a strong one.
But if the opponent was Miyamoto Musashi, who would consider Leo strong?
Although Miyamoto Musashi only had four wings, she was the strongest sword master in history, a Retainer of the current Demon Lord Leviathan. Her true combat power was at least that of a Highest-level Demon, and she might even be a ten-winged Highest-level Demon, not just a newly promoted eight-winged one!
In other words, in terms of true combat power, Leo, who was merely a High-Class Devil, was at least one rank below her, possibly even two ranks.
A one-rank difference was already considered huge; a two-rank difference was an insurmountable chasm, not even a fight, but a one-sided crushing.
Unless... Leo brought out his true abilities.
And did Miyamoto Musashi know Leo's true abilities?
The answer was naturally no.
But... "Don't underestimate a swordsman's intuition, Young Master Leo."
Miyamoto Musashi's eyes gleamed brightly as she looked at Leo, as if she had activated the legendary "Mind's Eye" or "Heaven's Eye," a look of fierce fighting spirit on her face.
"Every bit of my swordsman's blood, bone, flesh, and even my brain trembles as it tells me there's a worthy opponent before me. How could such a person not be strong?"
Hearing this, Leo raised an eyebrow and smiled.
His fighting spirit was also ignited, and his demonic blood seemed to boil, telling him that he craved slaughter, craved chaos.
"Since a Retainer of a dignified Demon Lord says so, it would be rude of me not to be accommodating."
Flames burned in Leo's eyes as he looked at Miyamoto Musashi.
"Then let's go."
The extremely direct response made Miyamoto Musashi's smile grow more genuine... In the basement, the atmosphere had become as tense as before a storm.
Yuuki Asuna, who had been practicing her sword-holding posture in the arena, had retreated, moving all the way to outside the basement's barrier, watching the two inside with a nervous expression.
Leo had habitually spread his wings, flying into the air and taking an advantageous position.
Miyamoto Musashi, on the other hand, remained standing in place, showing no intention of flying. She looked up at Leo, a smile on her face, appearing fearless and unyielding.
"You go first, Young Master Leo."
Miyamoto Musashi drew one of the two swords tied to her waist, rested it on her shoulder, and spoke casually.
"Then I won't hold back."
Seeing Miyamoto Musashi's relaxed stance, yet an astonishing aura already gathering around her, Leo also stopped being polite.
"Boom!"
An astonishing magical power transformed into a fiery aura, rising in the basement.
The fierce battle began in an instant.