Eminence In Shadow- Nah, I’d Win (DxD / Strike The Blood)

"Let's go, Kanon. We need to run a diagnostic on your body and check for any signs of rejection in the spiritual core."

He strode forward but paused after a few steps. 

When he turned around, he saw Kanon still standing in place, her head lowered and unmoving. 

His brows furrowed.

"What's wrong, Kanon?"

Kanon hesitated, her voice trembling as if each word scraped against her throat.

"Father… I—I want to know… Do you really have to complete this 'Synthetic Angel' experiment?"

"Of course I do," Kensei replied, his tone firm and absolute. "The world is dangerous now. Conflict lurks beneath the surface everywhere. Only by completing the Ascension Ritual can you truly be safe."

"But the gods have already descended into this world, haven't they? There's no need for these experiments anymore!"

For the first time, Kensei's weathered face twisted with anger. His eyes locked onto Kanon, sharp and unyielding.

"Enough, Kanon. Everything I'm doing is for your sake."

His voice dropped, laced with menace.

"Those so-called angels that descended? They're not real angels. If anything, their existence proves my point—they're nothing more than false gods. And their presence has only strengthened my research."

He took a step closer, towering over her.

"I don't know what's gotten into you today, but forget it. Focus on the experiment."

Despite his claims of acting out of love, Kensei's oppressive gaze felt like a lead weight pressing down on Kanon, suffocating her. 

It was as though she had been plunged into deep water, the crushing pressure threatening to drag her under. 

The very air around her seemed to harden, turning to molten iron, forcing her to fight for every breath.

I'm sorry, Cid…

Her thoughts drifted to him.

You were right—I'm a coward. I can't do anything. I can't even say what I truly want.

Her voice trembled as she finally yielded.

"I—I understand, Father…"

Meanwhile, back in the car, Beatrice didn't start the engine right away. 

She waited until the beastkin companion rejoined her, sliding into the passenger seat, before turning the key.

The car moved in silence for a while, leaving the Magitech Laboratory far behind. It wasn't until they cleared its perimeter that Beatrice finally broke the quiet.

"What did they say?"

It was an abrupt question, but the beastkin seemed to understand her perfectly.

"They're interested. But they won't agree to anything until we show them tangible proof or evidence that it's real."

"That's all?"

"Not quite."

The beastkin continued.

"Until they see the proof, they've granted us limited access to the MagiNet for intelligence gathering and partial weapons procurement. The company also authorized us to use all available resources and permissions."

Beatrice's lips curled into a slow smile, her eyes flickering with anticipation.

"And the boy?"

"Orders have already been issued to investigate him. As long as he doesn't have any powerful connections, we can take him anytime. But to avoid triggering Kanon, we can't let him approach the lab while he's conscious."

The corners of Beatrice's mouth stretched wider, her smile growing sharper. Her eyes burned with ambition.

"Perfect. I thought this operation was a lost cause, but it looks like fate's on our side after all."

She leaned back in her seat, her voice brimming with excitement.

"Once we join them, we'll finally be able to cast off these fake identities and step into the light with power that no one can question."

….

Thud, thud, thud.

A knock echoed against the door.

Thud, thud-thud-thud…

"Who the hell is it?! It's too early for this nonsense!"

Cid bolted upright from the sweat-soaked bed, his eyes burning with unrestrained fury.

In the palm of his left hand, a dark orb of magic crackled to life, surrounded by black flames that licked ominously at the air. 

It didn't take a genius to figure out that he was in a spectacularly bad mood.

And why wouldn't he be? 

Anyone who had just barely avoided getting killed would feel the same way. 

Parts of his body still resembled mashed flesh—though they'd regenerate within seconds, the pain remained very real.

Black liquid seeped out from his pores, coating his damp sleepwear before hardening into a sleek black T-shirt and pants. 

The remaining liquid gathered in his palm, condensing into a jet-black sword that pulsed with latent power.

If it's some pushy salesman, I'll drag them inside, beat them half to death, erase their memory, and dump them on the street.

He flexed his grip on the blade, the edges of his anger sharpening.

No need to thank me. After all, anyone capable of nearly killing me in full force deserves that kind of treatment.

With those thoughts, Cid cracked the door open slightly.

Through the narrow gap, he saw a girl standing outside. No—calling her a girl wouldn't do her justice.

From her curvaceous figure to the sheer black stockings clinging to her long, slender legs, she radiated an allure that felt almost dangerous. 

Silky black hair cascaded down her back, perfectly framing a pair of striking crimson eyes that seemed to pierce straight through him.

Despite her beauty, however, her expression was far from pleasant. Irritation flashed in her red eyes, adding a sharp edge to her charm. She looked, in Cid's opinion, like someone who had just been stood up by her boyfriend—an impression that would have prompted more than a few strangers to try their luck if they'd seen her on the street.

But for Cid, the moment he laid eyes on her, the fire of his anger died out as if doused by cold water.

Not because he harbored the same lustful thoughts as those hypothetical passersby—far from it. Given that most of the men who tried hitting on her were still recovering in hospitals, that sort of thinking never even crossed his mind.

No, his rage vanished for one simple reason—standing before him was his sister, Claire Kagenou.

The slime sword in his hand dissipated instantly, and with practiced speed, he pressed both palms against the door, channeling magic to force it shut.

Cid swore this was pure instinct. His brain was still reeling, completely unable to process why his sister was standing at his doorstep.

"Smack!"

The door didn't budge. A slender yet impossibly strong hand wedged itself between the door and the frame.

"Cid," Claire said, her voice carrying the weight of authority only an older sister could wield. "Is this how you greet your sister after nearly a year apart?"