My stepsisters are sexy demons, and I must protect them

«Iceland... sunk in just a few minutes...?!» Hakuto repeats, shocked, as soon as he hears the news on TV.

«And let's not forget the violet flashes in the sky...» Shin adds nervously. «I doubt it's a natural event. It must be the work of a demon, maybe someone from the Cult of the Primordial Shadow... but why? There are no HESPARC bases in Iceland, no strategic points either. None of this makes sense. Damn it, this war is already causing too many disasters in this world—the Amazon Forest burned to the ground, half of Rome destroyed, and now Iceland sunk... we must act fast before things get worse.»

«...and it's all our fault...» Rika murmurs, her voice trembling, broken by sobs.

Large tears stream down her cheeks.

«...it's because of us that this cult of lunatics is throwing your planet into chaos. If we gave ourselves up, maybe all this would end. They'd stop hunting us and return to N'Raeth. It's the only way to stop this. Too many people have already died—I'll sacrifice myself so no one else has to...»

«Big sis is right...» Yuzu joins in. «...if our lives can save many others, then I have no fear of dying!»

«Shut your mouths!» Shin silences them with a deep, disappointed voice—unusually serious.

The two sisters go quiet instantly, intimidated by his gravity, staring at him with trembling eyes clouded by tears.

«B-But, Shin...» Rika tries again, only to stop when Shin's cold, sharp gaze meets hers.

«Surely you don't know this, but Alexia Kendrow was an extraordinary woman. One of the rarest in the world. She had a golden heart, the most selfless and generous soul I've ever known. And she died to protect you—to stop the cult from getting their hands on you. My son, Chantal... they too have faced death so many times they've lost count, all just to protect you two. Even your father died fighting until his last breath, to save you... and this is your brilliant plan? To hand yourselves over to the enemy as if it were nothing? To throw away everything done for you?! To trample on the lives of all who died so you could live a more or less normal life?! I am deeply disappointed in both of you.» Shin finishes, his eyes slightly moist—a reaction from recalling Alexia's memory.

It's an exaggerated reaction for him—unexpected, given his usual calm.

It pushes Rika and Yuzu, in tears, into Kagura's arms.

The woman strokes them gently, trying to comfort them.

She trades a quick glance with Shin, as if to say: "You're right, but you went too far".

Yet Shin himself had already realized that the moment he stopped speaking.

«Anyway...» Shin continues with a calmer, softer voice. «...this heroic act of yours wouldn't help at all. It would only make things worse. The goal of the cult is to awaken Nyratalir—one of the most powerful and malevolent beings ever seen in our worlds. A demon whose power rivals that of the four Divine Dragons ruling N'Raeth. Even the combined effort of the mightiest dynasties of that time—the vampires of the Valakys house and the succubi of the Narkhalis line—together with the four dragons, couldn't kill Nyratalir. They could only seal him in a dimensional prison, from which escape is impossible unless a bridge is created between our dimension and his prison. As you well know, your blood—hybrid blood of both Valakys and Narkhalis—is a key piece to free that inconceivable force. A being able to bring death and destruction not only to N'Raeth but to Earth as well. Now do you see why giving yourselves up isn't only useless but dangerous? You'd turn the situation from complicated to hopeless.»

«Y-Yeah, I guess you're right...» Rika admits hoarsely, still in her mother's arms. «But tell me, Shin... how do you even know my father died that way...?»

Kagura lowers her eyes, melancholic.

Shin hesitates for a moment.

«Your mother told me.» he answers briefly, then quickly changes the subject. «Right now, the only thing we can do is focus on killing Velshekar. Rika, Yuzu... these past months, I've always tried not to involve you. We did all the dirty work ourselves, so you could live the peaceful life you always dreamed of. But I fear that's no longer possible. Whoever sank Iceland must have incredible power—someone even my combined strength with my son and Chantal may not be enough to defeat. For all we know, it could have been Velshekar himself, though I doubt it. That's why... we need you too—the immense power inside you. Starting next week, you'll train under Hakuto, who now masters succubus magic, and under Chantal for vampiric Sanguis magic. The training will be harsh, and I'll personally supervise, but it's necessary for your safety. I'm sorry to say it, but we alone can no longer guarantee it.»

Rika wipes her tears away.

She stares at Shin with firm, determined eyes.

«Count on us. We'll do everything in our power to help you, I promise!»

Shin smiles gently.

He reaches out, pats her head with paternal warmth.

«Then we must not waste a single minute.»

♡♡♡

«Ugh... work is such a pain. Since that bastard Velshekar disappeared and stopped providing for me, life here in Ashiya isn't fun anymore...» Itsu mutters, coming home late at night after a full shift following school.

The bills of his small but elegant apartment—owned by Velshekar and lent to him—along with food, water, school fees, and everything else, once covered by Velshekar, are now on Itsu.

To manage, he found a part-time job as a delivery boy for an Italian pizzeria.

A simple job for someone who can pedal for hours at car speed.

In fact, it let him rise a little—within weeks he became head of the delivery team.

Small satisfactions.

He drops onto the couch, exhausted, but something immediately catches his attention.

The small transparent red sphere Hakuto had given him—originally from his older brother Akashi—rests on the table like a decoration.

«What the hell...?»

Itsu approaches cautiously, picks up the sphere, and examines it closely.

It's heavier than before.

And it's no longer empty.

Inside is an eye, with a fuchsia iris and a white cross-shaped pupil.

Itsu recognizes it instantly—he freezes, still holding the sphere in his hands.

The Eye of the Fallen-One.