Saji Genshirou. Regarding this person, Bokue could only say: encountered twice. Impressions: a reckless blonde male high schooler.
Originally, like himself, attending Kuoh Academy High School Division's second year—though different classes. One of several lackeys habitually following Student Council President Sona Sitri. After Kuoh Academy merged with Saikai Academy, together transferred to Itogami Island.
Except due to virtually zero daily interactions—like how Sona's visits to the old schoolhouse involved either solo arrivals or at most bringing Momo Hanakai—meeting opportunities proved completely nonexistent. Totally unfamiliar.
Precisely because of this, when Fenrir assaulted the opponent on the battlefield earlier, Bokue remained steadily embracing the Maou girl in his arms—not budging whatsoever.
Unfamiliar. Too lazy to save.
Then Saji failed dodging.
Then Saji collapsed.
"Saji!!"
Witnessing her servant pierced through the chest by wolf claws, Sona released anxious shouts.
Though devil constitutions proved remarkably resilient, they weren't completely invincible immortals immune to death. Once suffering fatal injuries—death remained inevitable.
A strategic fatal error.
According to pre-battle plans, their initial concept: capture the king first.
Deploy one main force team directly assaulting Loki. Another team responsible for restraining the more-powerful Fenrir. Even unnecessary inflicting substantial damage—simply pulling him, preventing interference with father Loki's side sufficed.
Though post-battle Jörmungandr unexpectedly appeared beyond planning, being restrained by Vali and Bikou meant directly ignorable.
Afterward—merely observing how long main force full-output required killing Loki.
Clearly, however, Loki—ranking among Norse mythology's top-tier gods—wasn't that weak. Fenrir's power also exceeded predictions—stronger and smarter. Even understanding feigning weakness to lower enemy vigilance before opportunities arose, immediately choosing decisive individual elimination tactics.
Now—they'd pay for decision-making errors.
"AWOOO—!"
Piercing Saji's abdomen in one strike, Fenrir released excited skyward howls. Massive wolf claws flicked lightly—flinging the youth skewered on claw-tips away. Inertia tore massive wounds across the latter's body.
Like thick-cut pork chops sliced into segments—each section connected only by thin flesh membranes. Scalding blood spilled along trajectories like overturned hot porridge.
"Don't panic! We're coming!"
At critical moments, the Phoenix girl's voice transmitted from above.
Ravel—pre-assigned as mobile support squad—descended alongside Valkyrie Rossweisse behind her. Landing precisely beside fallen Saji, retrieving the small box from her bag while preparing to extract Phoenix Tears.
While retrieving, couldn't help muttering.
"Jeez, originally hoped using this opportunity to improve relations with Bokue-sama. Yet before his side encounters anything, this side already crashed..."
"Lady Ravel, please be careful!"
Before finishing, Rossweisse—delayed slightly, not yet landed above—suddenly called loudly.
"I'll provide cover! Lady Ravel, please transport casualties to safety first!"
"Huh?"
This sudden directive momentarily stunned Ravel.
She glanced downward at the already-unconscious Saji lying on the ground—even questionable whether half a breath remained. Couldn't help twitching her mouth.
No... this person's nearly dead. Plus practically severed into three sections. If still grabbing him while continuing escape...
Forget whether such severe injuries could persist reaching safe zones. With bodies barely connected by flesh strips—feels like merely dragging him airborne, slight shaking would scatter him into pieces.
Whatever, just heal him directly...
No time remaining for Phoenix girl hesitation. Ravel extracted one Phoenix Tear vial, uncapping before pouring onto Saji—whose life countdown had already illuminated.
Phoenix household's supreme treasure. Divine medicine capable of restoring life to the dead.
No exaggeration: as long as final breaths hadn't scattered, even completely severed heads—just one Phoenix Tear drop could regrow entire bodies beneath necks.
Drip.
One seemingly-ordinary droplet fell upon the dying.
The next moment—like time reversing—the originally wolf-claw-sliced three-segment body instantly reconnected. Gaps perfectly filled by newborn flesh. As if never injured.
Alright, this way he shouldn't die. Though consciousness won't recover immediately, as long as still alive, awakening becomes inevitable...
Ravel exhaled lightly internally while preparing to stow remaining Phoenix Tears—grabbing the casualty for relocation to safety.
However, Rossweisse's voice transmitted from overhead once more—this time carrying utmost urgency.
"Lady Ravel, dodge quickly!!"
"Wha...?"
The Phoenix girl hadn't yet comprehended when sinister winds howled from behind.
Completely reaction-less, Ravel almost instinctively flapped wings—lunging forward while yanking the peacefully-sleeping Saji from the ground.
BOOM—!
The next second, massive wolf claws capable of crushing rock mountains descended from above—landing precisely where Ravel had stood moments prior.
Instantly, earth shattered. Massive fissures spread outward from impact points as epicenters. Terrifying wind pressure directly blew Saji airborne. Flying debris struck Ravel's waist pouch mid-flight with precision.
CRACK!
Crisp shattering sounds. The box containing Phoenix Tears—due to unzipped fasteners—flew from the bag, falling groundward before smashing into fragments.
The remaining two Phoenix Tear vials inside weren't spared either. Containers shattered simultaneously—transforming into twin puddles of sweet dew seeping beneath barren earth.
This is disastrous...
The sole thought flashing through Ravel's mind.
"Well done, Fenrir!"
From distant skies above, evil god Loki's delighted voice transmitted.
"Having lost [Phoenix Tears], their fragile bodies become wet tissue paper before your fangs! Let them become Ragnarok's initial casualties!"
"AWOOO—!"
Simultaneously, a thousand meters distant, Bokue rose slowly from the precipice—single hand supporting ground. Gently patting the still-seated Maou girl's small head while exhaling softly.
"Originally intended letting them play around a bit. Seems genuinely dangerous now... Whatever. I'll make the trip myself."
Finishing, the young man's silhouette dissolved into air like ink washed away.
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