On top of a building,
two figures were watching a distant apartment.
"Irina, is that where the Devil lives?"
The speaker was a tall girl with short blue hair cut at shoulder length and a pretty face.
On her back was a massive sword wrapped in bandages, nearly as tall as she was, which looked quite peculiar.
"Xenovia, you should trust my investigative information."
The other replied casually.
The one called Irina was a cute girl who looked like the girl next door.
Irina said seriously, "This man is not simple. He's currently Rias Gremory's fiancé, and Freed was killed by him."
Xenovia nodded. "That means, no matter what we do here, we can't avoid him, right?"
"Exactly, that's why we need to observe first."
With that, the two fell silent, their expressions sharpening as if they had become true warriors.
Just then, a calm voice sounded.
"Interesting. Can you tell me what actions you're planning here?"
Instantly, Xenovia and Irina tensed up. Both rolled away into combat stances.
Their serious gazes turned toward the source of the voice.
"Hello there, you two from the Church."
Ayato stood on the rooftop railing, greeting them amicably.
"Seeing a Devil is never a good thing."
Xenovia's eyes were sharp as she gripped her greatsword. "When... exactly did you get here?"
"I believe I asked the question first, didn't I?"
Ayato jumped down from the railing and walked forward slowly. "But I've always had a soft spot for beautiful girls."
Looking the two over, Ayato said, "I've been here since the start of your conversation."
"Just as the information said. A lecherous Devil."
Irina's pretty face flushed slightly. "But don't misunderstand. We mean you no harm. How about we just go our separate ways?"
"Hey, hey, you were the ones peeping at me first, you know."
"It's not peeping, it's observing!"
Irina immediately flared up. "Don't say things that could be misunderstood!"
Ayato didn't reply, just gave her a look that asked, "What's the difference?"
Xenovia Quarta and Shidou Irina.
He had recognized them the moment he saw them.
But that was it.
As for their purpose here, though he had guesses, he wasn't certain.
"Never mind. Since you like peeping, I can give you an opportunity."
Xenovia was confused and asked instinctively, "What opportunity?"
Ayato smiled. "Naturally, become my servants. That way, you can fulfill your peeping desires at any time."
Irina's eyes widened. "No matter how you look at it, you'd be the one benefiting from that, right?"
"Really?"
Ayato blinked. "Isn't it you who would be taking advantage?"
Irina: "..."
Xenovia: "..."
'This Devil had no shame.'
Ignoring their looks, Ayato continued, "So, what is your answer?"
Xenovia gripped her sword with both hands, pointing it at Ayato. "I refuse. I won't let you defile my faith."
"Exactly!"
Irina said indignantly, "Don't you think your request is too much?"
"Too much?"
Ayato looked at them with amusement and grinned. "Don't forget, I am a Devil."
"Th-That's..."
Xenovia and Irina were both stunned.
'When you put it that way...'
'His actions were perfectly logical.'
"If you don't agree, don't blame me."
Not giving them time to think, Ayato stepped forward again.
Feeling the pressure bearing down on them, both showed wary expressions.
"Though I have no intention of becoming your enemy..."
Xenovia took a deep breath. "But now, you're forcing my hand."
The moment her words fell, Xenovia shot forward like a shooting star.
But she went fast and returned even faster.
Crack!
Her greatsword flew backward and embedded itself deep into the ground.
Xenovia herself slid several meters back across the ground.
At that moment, Irina was completely stunned.
Her eyes were wide, filled with shock and disbelief.
'So fast!'
She hadn't even seen what happened.
"Now you see the gap, don't you?" Ayato slowly lowered his hand, smiling.
But the feeling just now...
Was very soft.
After a moment, Irina snapped back to her senses and quickly helped Xenovia up.
"I'm fine."
Xenovia waved her hand, looking at Ayato with a complicated expression. "Why did you hold back?"
"Because I want you as my servant."
"Stop dreaming. That's impossible."
Irina said firmly, "Even if we can't beat you, we will never abandon our faith."
Xenovia agreed. "Yes. Even if we die, we will never fall and become Devils."
"I see. How troublesome."
Ayato looked troubled, then revealed his true intention. "Then let's change the terms. As long as you're in this city, you'll be my maids."
Irina instinctively said, "How is that different from before?"
"You didn't become Devils. Isn't that what you wanted?"
Ayato asked, puzzled. "And as members of the Church, how could I allow you to wander around freely? This is the maximum concession."
"If it's just being maids... I suppose it's not impossible."
Considering the disparity in their strength, Irina thought for a moment and nodded.
Then she said seriously, "But only general housekeeping. Absolutely nothing else, okay?"
"Naturally. I'm a perfect gentleman."
"Heh, really?"
Irina's lip twitched.
If she could actually beat this Devil, she would make him pay.
Xenovia asked quietly, "Irina, what exactly is a maid?"
Having grown up in the Church, she had extremely little knowledge of the outside world.
"..."
Irina was silent for a moment, then sighed. "Never mind. You don't need to know that. Just follow my lead."
"Okay!"
Xenovia nodded readily.
As long as she didn't have to become a Devil,
a peaceful resolution was fine.
Besides, their orders from above were to avoid conflict with the Devils as much as possible.