It was Sona Sitri who first told Leo about Sharon Holygreil.
Since she was an old rival who kept pestering him, Leo naturally wouldn't neglect to investigate her. So, he specifically asked Sona Sitri and, with the help of the Sitri Family's power, clarified her background and origins.
Initially, when Leo learned that Sharon was a product of a genetic modification project, he was only somewhat surprised. But when he discovered that Sharon possessed demon factors within her, making her an exorcist who gained demonic power while maintaining her human identity, he understood why she had been so persistent in pestering him.
Although she was innocent, as a human with demon factors, she grew up in the Church, a place that viewed demons as evil creatures. It was virtually impossible for her not to be treated unfairly.
Think of Asia Argento, who originated as a Church nun and was hailed as a "Saint." Simply because her god-slaying tool could heal demons, she was exiled and expelled by the Church. How could Sharon, who actually possessed demon factors, not be looked down upon?
Therefore, it's not difficult to understand why she would reject the demon factors within her and reject demons.
Of course, this is from Sharon's own perspective. If viewed from Leo's own perspective, this theory is utter nonsense.
You suffer unfair treatment, but instead of hating those who treated you that way, you hate the demon factors that led you to this situation, and even worse, you turn around and hate the source of these factors?
Furthermore, you are still risking your life for such a place, continuing to do their bidding?
"Was it the Church or the demons who captured you for experiments?"
Leo once said this to Sharon's face.
And then… then she pestered him even more fiercely.
In light of this, in Leo's mind, Sharon Holygreil had always been someone with a bit of a serious problem. If it weren't for the current delicate situation, and if he hadn't had the ability to dispose of Sharon at that time, he would most likely have found a way to pry open that woman's head to see if there were any traces of brainwashing by the Church.
Although, precisely because of this, that woman Sharon later used a honey trap on him, giving him quite a few 'benefits,' he still looked down on her somewhat. Whenever he saw her, he couldn't help but provoke her and watch her lose her composure. It made him feel very satisfied.
Of course, he also knew that with Sharon's crazy personality, she would likely target Yukinoshita Yukino, who had become his Retainer. So, he prepared special demon flyers to add an extra layer of insurance for Retainers like Yukinoshita Yukino.
Facts proved he was right.
"I hit her quite hard this time. She'll likely be laid up for a long time, and it's quite normal for her to be crippled or even die from this."
Leo's tone shifted, no longer investing emotion in that woman, and instead spoke to Yukinoshita Yukino.
"If she fortunately survives and still comes to trouble you, then you don't need to pity her. Every pitiable person has something hateful about them. Who knows what that woman will do next? Once you encounter her, get your revenge and settle the score. Don't overthink it."
Although the current situation was delicate, if the opponent intended to kill, Leo would not hesitate or procrastinate.
If others don't care about something, why should you consider it for them?
If something truly happened, the worst that could happen was for him, as the master, to clean up after his Retainer.
Perhaps in the past, he didn't have the ability to influence the overall power structure, but now he definitely possessed such ability.
"Blazing Heaven Thunder Prison" had not yet been developed to its limit. As long as he reached the realm of Balance Breaker, Leo would have a way to become one of the existences that influenced the pattern. Not to say becoming a player, but at least he could become a piece that players could not manipulate at will.
The feedback from the "Familiarization" characteristic still had a lot of room for progress. With a total of fifteen Retainers, Leo had only taken in two so far and was already able to contend with a Highest-level Demon. If he could take in all of them, even if the subsequent Retainers only had moderate potential, he could leap to become a top-tier Demon, at least no worse than a Demon Lord.
By then, with his normal Demon Lord-level strength and the world's second strongest god-slaying tool as a fallback, he shouldn't be inferior to the Red Dragon Emperor and White Dragon Emperor from the original work, right?
The Two Heavenly Dragons later became existences that various factions couldn't ignore, with the potential to become top experts in the world. With "Familiarization" and "Blazing Heaven Thunder Prison" as his two trump cards, if he still couldn't surpass them, then he might as well just honestly stay in Chiba as a local tyrant, amusing himself by teasing beautiful Retainers all day.
"I understand."
Yukinoshita Yukino took a deep breath, finally calming her emotions.
She was naturally the type to get straight to the point. If someone made a mistake, she would ruthlessly point it out or even criticize them, rather than accommodate or understand them and make herself suffer.
Losing to Sharon today was already enough to make Yukinoshita Yukino unwilling to accept it. She didn't want to repeat the same mistake.
So, she would work hard to cultivate and become stronger. If they met again in the future, then as her nominal master said, she would get her revenge and settle the score.
Seeing that Yukinoshita Yukino had come to terms with it, Leo smiled slightly, finally looking at Yukinoshita Haruno and Mrs. Yukinoshita, who had remained silent.
"It's about time we talked about our business, ladies." Leo tapped the table and said with a smile, "You two must have a lot to say, right?"
"It's alright, say whatever you want, I'm listening."
Leo's words made the heavy air in the reception room begin to flow, but it also brought an even more oppressive silence.
The women of the Yukinoshita Family all fell silent, not speaking immediately, only their eyes and expressions appearing particularly complex.
"Well, I can understand your feelings right now, but continuing to remain silent is just a waste of time." Leo ruthlessly broke the silence, saying, "I remember that the Yukinoshita Family members are all very decisive people, aren't they? You are all famous strong women! You can't still be unable to sort out your emotions even now, can you?"
Under Leo's seemingly intentional and unintentional provocation, the Yukinoshita women present had no choice but to suppress their complex emotions and regain their composure.
"Mr. Erigor… is that right?"
Mrs. Yukinoshita finally spoke.
"Just call me Leo." Leo readily accepted, giving Mrs. Yukinoshita ample respect, and spread his hands, saying, "I know this might be a bit demanding, but your daughter has, after all, become my servant. We can somewhat be considered family now. Madam, you can treat me as an ordinary person."
Upon hearing this, not only Mrs. Yukinoshita but even Yukinoshita Haruno felt a little critical inwardly.
This talk of 'servant,' then 'family,' then 'ordinary person'... there should be a limit to the lack of logic, right?
These are three types of people that cannot be logically connected. It's truly impressive how you can string them into a single sentence without batting an eye... "I'll just call you Mr. Leo." Mrs. Yukinoshita gave a wry smile, then sighed, saying, "Now, I finally understand. You and people like us are simply not from the same world. I suppose whatever we say will be irrelevant to you, won't it?"
"That's not entirely true." Leo looked at Mrs. Yukinoshita and, for now, smiled, "Although the outcome cannot be changed, you are, after all, Yukino's family. I also don't want to have an unpleasant relationship with the family of a Retainer with whom I will spend my life."
"Therefore, Madam, you can tell me any concerns you have. I will do my best to alleviate your worries and satisfy you."
Leo's attitude might not have been sincere, but at least it was amiable.
Thus, Mrs. Yukinoshita felt a little relieved and regained some composure.
"Since you've said so, I'll be direct." Mrs. Yukinoshita gathered her courage, looked directly at Leo, and said solemnly, "I don't quite understand the world you belong to. I just want to ask one question."
"What will happen to my daughter, Yukinoshita Yukino, after she becomes a demon?"
Mrs. Yukinoshita wisely avoided topics she shouldn't touch, going straight to what concerned her most.
This was a sign of intelligence, making Leo look at her with higher regard.
"Actually, from your perspective, Yukino will still be Yukino; there won't be any changes." Leo also gave Mrs. Yukinoshita and Yukinoshita Haruno the answer they most wanted, saying casually, "She won't go to places you can't see, nor will she suddenly become someone you don't recognize."
"She will continue to attend Sobu High School with me until graduation. If she has time, she can always come back to see you, and even if she leaves with me later, she can return at any time, and it will be instantaneous, even more convenient than taking an airplane."
"If you insist on saying what will be different after she becomes a demon compared to before, it's probably that she'll have mastered supernatural powers, as you saw earlier, right?"
Leo toyed with his teacup, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally adding.
"Besides that, her lifespan will become very long. By the time you ladies are old and withered, she will probably still look as young and beautiful as she does now. Eternal youth is just a small matter for her now…"
Mrs. Yukinoshita: "!!!"
Yukinoshita Haruno: "!!!"
There's actually such a good thing?!
Yukinoshita Yukino: "(ｷ｀ﾟДﾟ´)!!"
So there was such a good thing?!
The four words "eternal youth" instantly changed the expressions in the eyes of the three women.
"If Yukino gains more ability in the future, she can actually help you achieve something in this regard too."
Leo spoke with a seductive tone, like a true demon.
"For powerful demons, helping a human extend their lifespan and maintain their youth is not a difficult task."
This single sentence again changed the expressions in the eyes of the three women of the Yukinoshita Family.
"Oh, I also know quite a few connections, perhaps they can help you too?" Leo revealed his final fangs, saying, "Let me ask you one thing: does the Yukinoshita Family want to progress?"
The three Yukinoshita women: "…"
This was the whisper of a demon!