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Chapter 176: Akeno's Inner Conflict
🕑 Added 2025-04-08 11:02:26 +0000 UTC
"Um, excuse me, do we know each other?"
Feeling Serafall tightly hugging him, Blake, though finding the physical contact quite pleasant, still asked formally.
"Hey, hey! Can you teach me that flashy move you used earlier? It’s so cool! As a magical girl, I’m just missing a finishing move like that~!"
Instead of answering his question, Serafall ignored it entirely and excitedly spoke while her eyes sparkled.
"Uh... Boss Blake... this...?"
Saji stood frozen, staring at the scene in disbelief as his brain went into overdrive trying to process it.
"Elder Sister, what are you doing?! Let go of Silva already!"
At this moment, a voice filled with helplessness yet commanding presence rang out. Sona walked over with her vice president Tsubaki, her face full of exasperation as she looked at Serafall.
"Sona-chan, found you~!"
Hearing this, Serafall’s eyes lit up as she mysteriously disappeared from her spot and reappeared not far away, hugging Sona tightly and snuggling up to her.
"Si… Sister?! The President's sister isn't..."
Saji stared at Serafall in shock, gasping in disbelief.
"Just as you've guessed, Serafall is Sona's sister, and one of the current Four Great Satans, Serafall Leviathan."
Patting Saji's shoulder, who was still in shock, Blake calmly explained.
Although Serafall's status as a Satan was highly revered by Saji, to Blake, she was just a lively and charming young girl.
"Sona-chan, how have you been? Sister has really missed you."
Serafall tightly hugged Sona, who wore a troubled expression, and snuggled against her, completely ignoring the odd looks from those around her and Sona's pale face.
"Why are you here, Sister?"
Unable to endure Serafall's clinginess, Sona questioned her in a stern tone.
"Aw, Sona-chan, that's so mean! You didn't even tell me about today's event! You're so heartless! I was so hurt, I almost wanted to declare war on Heaven~."
Serafall pouted like a little girl, playfully sulking in response to Sona's question. Though her words were concerning, her demeanor was anything but serious.
"Serafall, declaring war on Heaven is not something you can joke about."
At that moment, a deep and magnetic voice interrupted the scene.
Two figures with striking crimson hair walked over, their presence commanding attention.
"Ah, Sirzechs-chan and Rias-chan! I was just kidding!"
Seeing the two approach, Serafall released Sona and grinned mischievously, showing none of the dignity expected from a Satan.
Indeed, the current generation of the Four Great Satans was notably unique, each with distinct and unconventional personalities.
Recalling details from the original work, Blake silently mused to himself.
After a cheerful conversation, the group dispersed.
Sona ultimately failed to escape Serafall's grip and was dragged away. Meanwhile, Sirzechs, exhausted by the attention from recording videos, could only sigh as Rias, left behind, reluctantly guided the tour of the school.
As for Blake, he casually skipped classes, wandering around the different grades.
Koneko and Lia were in the same class, and while it was supposedly a classroom observation event, most of the visitors had their eyes glued to the two girls, captivated by their beauty and grace. The teachers could only sigh in frustration at the situation.
Blake couldn't help but smile. With Koneko's demeanor and Lia's elegance, it was no surprise they garnered such attention. As Koneko's caretaker and Lia's elder brother, he felt a sense of pride at their charm.
In the second-year classes, Asia, Xenovia, and Irina also found themselves in similar situations.
However, when it came to observing Akeno, the atmosphere was different.
Under the stunned gazes of the teachers, students, and parents, Akeno suddenly stood up, confidently addressed the teacher, and walked out.
"Blake, let's go."
Approaching Blake with a radiant smile, Akeno grabbed his hand without hesitation.
"Um… Are you sure this is okay?"
Looking at the stunned faces in the classroom, Blake asked awkwardly.
"It's fine. There's something important I need to discuss with you."
Without giving him a chance to refuse, Akeno pulled Blake along.
Contrasting the dilapidated church in the town, a similarly abandoned shrine existed elsewhere. A long staircase led to the shrine with its red torii gates, a traditional structure in Japanese shrines. Despite being deserted, the shrine was surprisingly clean.
"Welcome, Blake."
Upon reaching the shrine’s main hall, Akeno displayed a bittersweet smile, tinged with nostalgia.
"Akeno, what is this place?"
Looking around at the shrine’s decorations, Blake's crystal-blue eyes flickered as he feigned ignorance.
"This shrine is my home. It’s where I lived with my mother during my childhood."
Akeno’s eyes glazed over with a faraway look as she recounted her past. Her usual queenly demeanor faded, replaced by a fragile aura that evoked pity.
"Blake, I am a child born of a fallen angel and a human. My mother was the daughter of a shrine maiden here in this shrine. One day, she saved a wounded Fallen Angel cadre, Baraqiel. Through that chance encounter, I was conceived."
"Because I hated my Fallen Angel wings, I became a devil after meeting Rias. However, the result was horrifying—a creature bearing both devil and fallen angel wings. Haha, perhaps such a form suits someone like me, born of filthy blood. Blake, I imagine you must despise someone with my tainted lineage..."
On Akeno’s delicate face were complex emotions: confusion, self-loathing, and despair. She unfolded her wings—one pair black and feathery, belonging to a fallen angel, and the other the demonic wings of a devil.
The moment her wings were revealed, Akeno’s body trembled, her usually confident demeanor replaced by vulnerability, her face etched with pain that stirred compassion.
"Akeno!"
At the moment when Akeno Himejima was drowning in self-loathing, Blake suddenly spoke and embraced her. He directly stole her lips, causing her wide eyes to open even further in surprise.
“Akeno, how could I possibly hate you? If anything, I like you.”
Holding her tightly, Blake gently whispered after Akeno finally calmed down. He released her lips, leaning his forehead against hers with a warm voice.
“Oh my, Blake, your sweet-talking skills have improved so much. You’re even confessing now without blushing.”
Akeno’s face turned slightly red as she looked away, speaking with a hint of shyness. Clearly, she had regained her composure.
“I’m nervous too, you know. If you rejected me, I’d be in big trouble.”
Seeing that Akeno wasn’t resisting, Blake let out a sigh of relief and chuckled awkwardly.
“Rias is your girlfriend. So, by saying you like me, are you planning to abandon her and become my boyfriend?”
Akeno looked at Blake with a teasing smile. Although her tone was lighthearted, a closer look would reveal the seriousness in her eyes.
It was a choice. If Blake answered wrongly, he could end up on an irreversible path.
“You are all my wings. I’ll never let go of any of you.”
With emotional intelligence above the average, Blake didn’t hesitate to respond, his tone domineering.
“Such greed… But I like it.”
Hearing his answer, Akeno’s expression finally softened. She was a clever woman and understood that monopolizing Blake wasn’t possible. Securing a place by his side was the best choice. After all, if Blake were to give up on Rias for her, she wouldn’t feel happy either.
Because a man like that might one day abandon her for someone else.
“...?”
Noticing Akeno’s pure and joyful expression, Blake was momentarily stunned. His declaration of openly wanting a harem—wasn’t that supposed to trigger anger or resentment? Her reaction seemed... off.
“Blake, the real reason I brought you here is that an important figure wants to meet you…”
Akeno’s smile softened as she gently broke away from his embrace, adjusting her slightly disheveled shrine maiden attire.
“An important figure…?”
Blake’s crystal-blue eyes flickered as he glanced towards a particular direction.
“Yes, someone from Heaven—a distinguished guest—Michael.”
Akeno interjected at the right time. Today’s main purpose was to welcome this guest. But during their rare time alone, she couldn’t help but share her past with him.
“Michael, the Archangel?”
“Haha, no wonder they call you the reincarnation of King Arthur, the strongest Red Dragon Emperor in history. You noticed my presence as soon as I arrived.”
A golden figure appeared in the sky, radiating divine brilliance with twelve shimmering wings. Descending gracefully, the figure was adorned in an elegant white robe with a golden halo above his head. His soothing, beautiful voice echoed.
“Akeno, is this the one you wanted me to meet—the esteemed guest from Heaven?”
“Yes, Blake. This is Michael, the Archangel and current ruler of Heaven.”
Akeno smiled as she introduced him.
“Nice to meet you, Blake.”
Michael extended a hand, his movements composed and graceful.
“Archangel, it’s a pleasure. But let me clarify—I’m not the reincarnation of King Arthur, so don’t get it wrong.”
Blake shook his hand briefly, his expression calm.
“My apologies for the oversight.”
Michael seemed momentarily startled before apologizing sincerely, showing no hint of arrogance.
“Archangel, what brings you to me?”
Blake wasn’t petty. After expressing his indifference to the mistake, he directly asked about the reason for Michael’s visit.
“I came to present you with this.”
A golden, holy aura gathered in front of Blake as Michael summoned a long sword radiating holy energy—a holy sword, without a doubt.
“This is the dragon-slaying holy sword, Ascalon, once wielded by Saint George.
“It has been specially enchanted to allow even devils to wield it. I believe it might give you an advantage when facing the White Dragon.”
Michael’s voice remained calm as he explained.
“Why give this to me?”
Although Blake didn’t particularly care about the sword, he narrowed his eyes and asked.
“I see this meeting as an opportunity for the three factions to unite and advance together.
“You’re probably aware that our Creator—God—perished during the previous war. The opposing Old Satan faction was annihilated, and most of the Fallen Angels’ leaders remain silent. Of course, Kokabiel is an exception.
“This is a rare chance to eliminate unnecessary conflicts. Otherwise, if smaller skirmishes continue, the three factions will eventually destroy one another. If not that, we may even face attacks from other forces. This holy sword is my gift to the devils. Naturally, I’ve prepared a gift for the Fallen Angels as well.”
Noticing Blake’s furrowed brows, Michael explained with a serene smile.
“I see. I understand now. But is it really okay to give this gift to me, a human, instead of a devil?”
Blake nodded in understanding but remained puzzled.
“It’s fine. I’ve already obtained Sirzechs’ approval.”
Michael chuckled softly in response.
“In that case, thank you.”
Hearing this, Blake was momentarily stunned before expressing his gratitude. Though he didn’t particularly value the sword, it was still a gesture of goodwill from Michael and his “brother-in-law,” Sirzechs. There was no harm in accepting it.
“Good to hear. The time for our formal meeting is approaching. Let’s save the deeper discussions for then.”
Pleased with Blake’s understanding, Michael nodded with a smile before vanishing in a burst of light.
“It feels lonely again, doesn’t it?”
After Michael’s departure, Akeno’s slightly strained expression finally relaxed. Although the Archangel hadn’t released his aura, his mere presence was enough to create pressure for a nearby devil. If he had unleashed his power, even his radiant light could have purified an ordinary devil.
“Well, now that we have this rare opportunity, why not do something meaningful?”
Akeno smirked, loosening her shrine maiden attire slightly to reveal her elegant collarbone and smooth, fair skin. Her eyes sparkled with irresistible charm.
Her actions sent Blake’s heart racing uncontrollably
Comments
striker James
Akeno deserves some comfort
