The dark elf girl, who had been placed under a powerful contract and still hadn't woken up, posed a difficult question regarding her future…
"The fact that she was in Japan suggests she's at least not a dark elf from the Norse mythological sphere."
"But then that means she came out from a hidden realm. There are many non-human races living in the human world while avoiding human eyes, but that's precisely why the circumstances are concerning."
Most were affiliated with some mythological sphere or had retreated into dimensional spaces, but there were still many who hid in the unexplored regions of the human world.
If someone living such a hidden life had come out into human settlements, there must be some reason.
"I'll try to ask her about the circumstances little by little once she wakes up."
"Yeah, please do. Anything else?"
"Nothing in particular. It's been as peaceful as ever."
Whether while Renya was away or after he returned, nothing had changed in Kuoh Town.
Occasionally, stray Devils would enter, but those were being handled by the Gremory Servants, who had received requests from Grand Duke Agares.
'I understand it's unavoidable that they don't notice stray Devil intrusions unless they receive a request from Agares, who's in the Netherworld despite calling it his territory, but they should at least station familiars to watch the ruins that are likely hiding spots.'
Renya understood that covering the entire town was difficult, but he thought it was questionable that they weren't watching the places that needed watching.
"I see. Hmm, it seems something is still missing. But I think once the conditions are met, things will move all at once."
To Renya, who was inwardly exasperated by Rias's response, Mephisto spoke thoughtfully.
His view was that the current was merely dammed up, and once the trigger came, change would come with overwhelming force.
"I hope so. It wouldn't be... well, it wouldn't be a complete waste."
Renya said this, recalling Shizuna and Elfaria enjoying their student lives, his reunion with Mio, and his encounter with Rixia.
There had been too many things to simply dismiss it as a wasted trip. If anything, it would have been fine if nothing had happened at all.
"I see. Hearing you say that makes me glad I sent you to Japan. Well then, see you later, Ren-chan. I'll contact you if anything comes up, but feel free to contact me sometimes too, okay? Your mother was lonely too."
"Yeah, got it. Give my regards to Mom."
With that exchange, the display made a buzzing sound and vanished.
Renya leaned back in his desk chair and looked up at the ceiling.
'Change... My meetings with Mio and Rixia could be considered changes, but if that were the case, the center should be another town, not Kuoh Town. Well, I reincarnate Servants because I want them, and having some other ulterior motive for adding them just feels wrong, so it's fine as it is.'
The relationship between King and Servant varied, but Renya wanted a relationship where they could be together without unnecessary complications.
After that, he finished up paperwork regarding his territory in the Netherworld, as well as his research and work as a mage in the association. Leaving the study, he returned to his room to prepare for bed, but...
"Rixia?"
The door had been knocked on, but there was no further response. Renya identified the visitor by their presence and called out. He sensed a surprised intake of breath and a flinch, and waited a few more seconds before—
"S-sorry, it's Rixia. Renya-san, do you have a moment?"
Apparently having taken a deep breath, Rixia's voice was strained with nervousness as she timidly asked.
"Yeah, of course. Come in."
"Y-yes."
With Renya's permission, spoken in a softened tone, Rixia sighed in relief and opened the door, entering slowly.
"E-excuse me...!"
Saying this, she closed the door and entered the room timidly, dressed in a pale-colored negligee.
The lines of her abundantly feminine body were clearly visible, truly alluring.
Perhaps nervous about being in Renya's room for the first time, she seemed restless, fidgeting with her fingers or playing with the ends of her hair.
"Sit wherever you like."
"Y-yes...! Th-then, excuse me."
Encouraged by Renya's slightly wry tone, Rixia, her cheeks flushed, timidly approached and sat on the edge of the bed. She thought it might have been a bit forward, but it was too late to stand up now. She adjusted her position to maintain a subtle distance from Renya, not too close nor too far, as she settled her ample hips.
Rixia, sitting beside him with her hands on her knees, looked tense and awkward, hanging her head. Renya also wondered what this was about.
"Hey..."
"U-um...!"
Just as Renya opened his mouth, thinking it wouldn't do to stay silent, whether by good or bad timing, Rixia also spoke at the same time.
"You go first, Rixia."
"N-no, please, you go ahead, Renya-san."
"No, you should go first..."
"N-no, I insist, Renya-san, you first..."
They looked at each other, exchanging courtesies.
"Hmph..."
"Hehehe..."
Like a scene from a manga about an arranged marriage meeting, Renya let out a small laugh, and Rixia also smiled softly.
This unintentionally eased Rixia's tension.
"So, how are you finding life here?"
"Ah, yes. Everyone has been so kind to me... It's very comfortable."
Rixia said this with a gentle expression.
It seemed that not only were Lavinia and the others friendly toward her, but Rixia also felt positively toward them.
"Besides, everyone here, in both the surface world and the underworld, lives balancing both by their own will. It makes my past worries seem so small."
"That can't be helped. Worries change from day to day. Even if one's own effort is essential, worries exist precisely because they aren't solved by that alone."
Renya told Rixia, who seemed to have affection and respect for Lavinia and the others, not to worry about it.
"Yes. I'm glad I met you and everyone else."
"I see. It's great that you've built good relationships."
"Yes. That's also thanks to you, Renya-san. I am who I am now because you saved me."
Seeing Rixia's radiant smile, Renya nodded in relief, saying, "I see."
Rixia nodded, feeling warm emotions welling up in her chest.
"So, I've been talking about myself, but what did you want to talk about, Rixia?"
After a moment, Renya prompted her. Rixia looked slightly nervous, but with flushed cheeks, she spoke.
"Y-yes. W-well... I've prepared myself for tonight... so, um..."
Rixia, blushing and shy, looked down and up hesitantly, then finally looked up at Renya with resolve.
"P-please, hold me too...!"
Rixia said this and hung her head.
Faced with this, Renya didn't ask something like "Are you sure?" at this point.
She had come here precisely because she had made up her mind.
"Yeah. Let's make it a good night, Rixia."
"Y-yes...!"
At Renya's words, Rixia smiled shyly, both embarrassed and happy.
The first night for the two of them began.
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