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Chapter 352: Chapter 348 ~ Redemption

With the chaos finally subdued, the leaders of the three factions regrouped.

Sirzechs, Serafall, Michael, Gabriel, Azazel, Odin, and Thor gathered with Yuuji and the others, bringing along the two masterminds behind the catastrophe, both bound tightly in powerful magical restraints.

Loki lay unconscious, his body occasionally convulsing as residual waves of agony rippled through him. The Shuraʼs Curse Erika had inflicted still gnawed relentlessly at his very soul.

Beside him, Shalba Beelzebub was shackled in layers of black chains, his expression twisted with frustration and helpless rage. Thanks to Aliceʼs geass, he no longer possessed the magic or strength of a devil descendant of Beelzebub, reduced to little more than a powerless captive.

Their gazes were immediately drawn to the battlefieldʼs aftermath.

Sköll and Hati, the legendary offspring of Fenrir, had been subdued so utterly that it bordered on the absurd. The sight alone sent ripples of disbelief through the assembled gods and leaders.

And then—

They noticed unfamiliar faces.

Figures standing near a subdued Fenrir… and among Rias Gremoryʼs peerage.

”Ho?” Azazel remarked, his lips curling into a sharp smirk, though his eyes remained keen and wary. 

”Didnʼt expect to see you here, Vali.”

Though the chances were slim, the thought crossed his mind immediately. Vali Lucifer and his team were affiliated with the Chaos Brigade—just like Shalba. Their presence here, unannounced, was a variable no one could afford to ignore.

”And that is—!”

Sirzechs, too, stiffened. But it wasnʼt Vali who shocked him the most.

His eyes widened when he spotted the black-haired nekomata standing dangerously close to his sisterʼs peerage—right beside Koneko.

Kuroka.

Sirzechs knew Konekoʼs history intimately. He had personally overseen her case when Rias petitioned to reincarnate the young nekomata into her peerage to save her from her fate.

Her elder sister was infamous.

The murder of her own master. The annihilation of her entire peerage. Mastery over Youjutsu and Senjutsu so profound it placed her among SS-Class stray devils—a criminal of the highest priority.

Seeing her so close to Riasʼs group made his heart lurch.

Until—

”Sirzechs-san. Good timing.”

Yuujiʼs calm voice cut through his thoughts.

Sirzechs turned—and only then did he truly register the scene.

Kuroka wasnʼt threatening anyone.

She was standing pressed against Yuujiʼs side, her arms wrapped around him possessively.

”Yuuji-kun, just what is—”

”I can explain,” Yuuji said smoothly. 

”But first, please read this.”

The leaders of the factions exchanged brief looks before their attention followed the thick file Yuuji handed to Sirzechs.

Documents meticulously prepared by Estelle, compiled through Linked Horizonʼs vast intelligence network. The truth behind House Naberiusʼs forbidden research.

Sirzechs began to read.

Michael and Azazel watched closely as his expression shifted—from confusion… to disbelief… and finally, to something darker.

Shock. Horror.

Baraqiel, meanwhile, turned toward his daughter. Relief washed over him when he confirmed Akeno was unharmed, standing tall despite the chaos she had endured.

Serafall and Gabriel, however, were focused elsewhere.

Specifically—on Yuuji and Kuroka.

On how intimately she clung to him.

Serafall puffed her cheeks slightly, envy plain on her face. If not for the presence of gods and faction leaders, she would have already leapt forward and wrapped herself around him without hesitation, claiming her place. Especially now—seeing his new half-angel, half-devil form in person made her heart race with excitement.

Gabriel placed a hand over her chest, her brows knitting together in confusion.

What… is this feeling?

That strange, twisting discomfort within her heart.

Fortunately, Yuuji had already altered Heavenʼs system enough that emotions born from pure love, as long as it wouldnʼt lead to any harm towards anyone, would not result in a fall.

Sensing their gazes, Kuroka glanced toward the female Demon King and the Seraph. The unmistakable jealousy in their expressions made something warm bloom within her chest.

With a faintly smug smile, she hugged Yuuji tighter, pressing herself against him deliberately—ensuring her scent clung unmistakably to him.

Yuuji noticed the change immediately.

Assuming she was nervous about Sirzechsʼs reaction, he wrapped an arm securely around her slender waist and pulled her closer.

”Itʼll be okay,” he whispered.

Kurokaʼs ears shot straight up, her twin tails stiffening as his voice brushed against them, sending shivers racing down her spine.

”Y-Yuuji nyaa…” she stammered, cheeks burning as she pouted at him. 

”D-Donʼt suddenly whisper like that…”

Yuuji simply smiled, clearly amused—and charmed—by her reaction.

Nearby, Koneko watched the exchange.

For a moment, she forgot entirely about Sirzechsʼs judgment and the weight of the documents in his hands.

Without realizing it, she tightened her own hold around Yuujiʼs waist.

Feeling the subtle tension, Yuuji gently patted her head, stroking her soft cat ears in reassurance.

”Yuuji-kun… is this… truly real?”

Sirzechs turned toward him, his movements stiff, almost unsteady. The documents trembled slightly in his grip as his crimson eyes filled with disbelief—and revulsion.

To his horror, Yuuji gave a single, calm nod.

”Everything written there is true,” Yuuji replied evenly. 

”And there is ample evidence to support every claim. The Naberius Household conducted dangerous experiments—delving into forbidden research to artificially create Super Devils through methods that were profoundly unethical.”

His gaze hardened slightly.

”And they werenʼt alone. Several other households provided funding and political cover.”

He didnʼt name them. He didnʼt have to.

Sirzechs felt the weight of those unspoken words crash down on him.

As one of the reigning Demon Kings, this was something he could not ignore, nor forgive. Even if the experiments had failed so far, their continuation alone meant endless suffering. And if they ever succeeded…

The thought made his blood run cold.

Super Devils on par with himself or Ajuka, manufactured at will.

The balance of the Underworld would collapse overnight.

No. This corruption had to be eradicated, completely. Not only the research, but every hand that had supported it.

Sirzechs lifted his gaze, meeting Yuujiʼs eyes.

There was no threat in them. No anger. Only certainty.

If the Underworld failed to act, or if his response fell short, Yuuji would intervene himself, even if it meant undermining the four devil kingsʼ governance and the entire Underworld capabilities. 

That understanding passed between them without a single word.

”I understand,” Sirzechs said firmly, his voice carrying the authority of his title. 

”In the name of Sirzechs Lucifer, I swear that I will uproot this corruption entirely. Nothing of it will remain.”

Only then did the invisible pressure weighing on him ease.

But Yuuji wasnʼt finished.

”Thank you,” he said. 

”And make sure Kurokaʼs name is cleared as well. Her role in eliminating this corruption has already been documented.”

”Of course.”

Sirzechs nodded once before turning toward the black-haired nekomata.

”I will still conduct a formal verification of the allegations stated here,” he said solemnly. 

”However—”

He bowed.

”On behalf of the Underworld, I apologize for the grave error made in your judgment. Effective immediately, I will personally revoke your status as a stray devil and fugitive.”

The words struck Kuroka like lightning.

For a moment, she could only stare, golden eyes wide, breath caught in her throat.

This—this was something she had dreamed of countless nights.

Something she had long since believed would never come.

”…Really?” her voice trembled.

Sirzechs nodded, and she felt her body tremble.

”Isnʼt that wonderful, Kuroka?” Yuuji asked gently.

She turned toward him, tears welling once more—this time not from sorrow, but from overwhelming relief.

”Yuuji…”

There were so many things she wanted to say. How he had pulled her from the abyss. How he had freed her from years of running and fear. How he had given her back the one thing she treasured most in the world.

But only two words escaped her trembling lips.

”Thank you…”

Tears spilled freely as she wrapped her arms around him, burying her face against his chest.

”Youʼre welcome,” Yuuji replied softly.

He patted her head, fingers threading gently through her long black hair, stroking her sensitive cat ears with care.

Beside them, Koneko stepped closer and hugged him as well, her small arms tightening around his waist.

”Yuuji… nii-chan,” she said quietly. ”Thank you…”

Yuuji paused—momentarily surprised by the title.

Then he smiled. And returned the embrace.

”Now, you can be with each other without worry.”

”Mm…”

Kuroka snuggled closer to him, pulling Shirone gently into her embrace as well, holding her as if afraid she might vanish if she loosened her grip even a little.

For a brief moment, everything felt perfect.

Then Kuroka lifted her gaze to Yuuji.

Her smile remained, but it was tinged with sadness, fragile and conflicted.

”Iʼd love that,” she said softly. 

”More than anything. But…”

Her golden eyes shifted past him, toward Vali and his team. After that, they returned to Yuuji, and then to Shirone.

”Even if Iʼm no longer a stray devil… Iʼm still part of the Chaos Brigade. A group labeled as terrorists.”

Her hand clenched tightly at her side.

”I hate most of what they stand for,” she admitted. 

”But my friends… I care about them. Theyʼre important to me. I canʼt just abandon them and pretend they never mattered.”

”Onee-chan…” Shirone whispered, worry lacing her voice.

Slowly, the sisters loosened their hold on Yuuji, taking a hesitant step back—though their fingers still clutched the fabric of his shirt, as if unwilling to let go completely.

Yuuji watched Kuroka quietly for a moment.

Then he spoke.

”Chaos Brigade… thatʼs the organization led by Ophis, correct?”

The sudden question made Kuroka blink. She tilted her head slightly, confused—but nodded.

”Thatʼs right, nya. The Dragon of Infinity.”

Yuuji smiled.

”Then thereʼs no problem.”

Before anyone could ask what he meant, space itself rippled.

A golden distortion bloomed into existence before Yuuji, Kuroka, and Koneko.

Every powerful being present reacted instantly.

The leaders of all three factions, the Gods of Asgard, as well as Vali and his team… All gasped in shock and disbelief.

While Shalba—

Shalba froze in pure, unfiltered terror.

From within the golden ripple, a small figure leapt forward.

A petite girl with jet-black hair, dressed in an elaborate gothic lolita outfit trimmed with lace and ribbons, burst out of the distortion and flew straight into Yuujiʼs arms.

She clung to him immediately, nuzzling her head against his chest like a contented cat. Taking a deep breath, she inhaled his scent with visible satisfaction before tilting her head up and resting her chin against him.

Crumbs dotted her cheeks.

Several more clung stubbornly to the corners of her lips.

”Yuuji,” she murmured sleepily, eyes half-lidded.

”Is it time to refill my snack cubby…?”

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