In the next half month, the Yamai sisters continued with their usual work as Devil hunters.
Not only within the Anti-Devil Division, but their reputation spread to the ears of Devil hunters in other sections, making them stars in the Public Security.
Tokyo, a small place, was no longer enough for them to showcase their skills. With their speed, it was no problem for them to go back and forth across Japan dozens of times in a day. Therefore, they frequently traveled to other areas to eliminate Devils.
Although this was technically a breach of regulations, other division heads in the Anti-Devil Division didn't say anything and chose to turn a blind eye. After all, their direct superior, Makima, had not said anything, so they naturally kept quiet.
Devil disasters were happening every day, and each Anti-Devil Division was eager to recruit more members to respond to emergencies. With the Public Security lacking personnel, colleagues like the Yamai sisters, who could quickly provide support, were a blessing to all official Devil hunters.
During this half month, events from the original story gradually unfolded.
The Eternal Devil attacked, the Sword Devil appeared, the Anti-Devil Division suffered heavy losses, and Makima restructured the Anti-Devil Division, becoming the only division head...
However, these events weren't particularly important to the Yamai sisters.
In these events, they only saved a few people, fought a few battles, and eliminated the Sword Devil to complete a side quest. They had no intention of forcefully changing the plot.
Time passed day by day, and soon, it had been a month since they officially joined the Public Security.
At the headquarters of the Anti-Devil Division in Tokyo, the door to Makima's office was pushed open.
While handling documents, Makima lifted her gaze and saw Denji enter her office.
"Makima-sama, I'm here!"
As soon as he entered, Denji wore a sycophantic smile and swaggered over to Makima, saying, "Is there something you need from me? Anything I can do, just tell me, Makima-sama!"
Makima didn't respond much to Denji's flattery. She simply took a few documents from her desk.
"The two Wind Devils have been with the Public Security for a month now, and according to the agreement, today is the day for their evaluation."
A month ago, Makima had figured out the true reason behind the Yamai sisters' constant dueling and suggested they join the Public Security, with the division acting as a neutral referee to score them.
This not only kept the two high-level Wind Devils, who were global-level disaster threats, in check and prevented them from causing more trouble, but it also stopped other countries' governments from enticing them into their ranks, which could have posed a threat to her own plans.
And today was the day for the scores to be revealed.
"After receiving data from various sources and considering factors such as the number of Devil disasters resolved, civilian casualties, and the impression of the Anti-Devil Division members, we have arrived at your final scores."
Makima's lips curled into a faint smile as she pushed the document toward Denji.
Denji didn't expect that Makima had called him in for something like this, and his expression froze for a moment.
He licked his dry lips, suppressing the inexplicable tension building inside him, and opened the thick stack of papers.
The pages were filled with dense writing detailing the Yamai sisters' every action over the past month. The level of detail was so thorough that it made one wonder if they were constantly being monitored.
But Denji had no interest in reading it thoroughly. He skipped over the long, detailed accounts in the first few pages and turned straight to the last page.
There, he saw their scores.
"A tie?"
Upon seeing the scores, Denji's heart skipped a beat, and he let out a relieved sigh.
After spending a whole month with them and experiencing several life-or-death situations, though it wasn't obvious on the surface, he had grown fond of the two bickering girls.
He also understood the relationship between the Yamai sisters and the purpose behind their constant duels. So, he had paid a little attention to the upcoming evaluation day.
Just last night, he had been discussing with Hayakawa Aki and Power about how the results would turn out.
He never expected the final score to be a tie.
While this was certainly bad news for the Yamai sisters, it was undoubtedly good news for everyone else, including Denji.
A tie meant there was no winner or loser.
It also meant that both Yuzuru Yamai and Kaguya Yamai could continue to exist without one being absorbed by the other.
"Haha, I can't wait to see the look on their faces when they find out the score is a tie," Denji couldn't help but grin, gleefully adding, "Looks like, before they get any score difference, they'll have to keep working for the Anti-Devil Division, right, Makima-sama?"
However, Makima didn't respond.
She silently locked eyes with Denji, her spiral-like pupils seemingly possessing a mesmerizing power that made him feel a sense of dread.
Seeing Makima remain silent, Denji's heart skipped a beat.
A bad premonition began to form in his mind, and his smile quickly faded.
"I'm afraid not, Denji. The Public Security does not intend to do that," Makima said, her expression unchanged, her voice still cold. "The agreement with the Wind Spirits was that the Public Security would act as a referee to evaluate them. They have fulfilled their duties, but the Public Security has given them an unsatisfactory result. What do you think they will do?"
"They should... not do anything, right?" Denji scratched his head. "Honestly, I think they're pretty nice, much better than Power."
"I know you get along well with them, but you must also understand that Devils are still Devils, creatures who act on their whims," Makima said calmly. "If we cannot provide them with a satisfactory answer, they might retaliate against the Public Security."
"Maybe... but what does that have to do with me?"
"The impression of the Anti-Devil Division members is also factored into their score. The better the impression, the higher the score," Makima continued.
She then took out another document and placed it in front of Denji. It contained the responses from Hayakawa Aki, Power, and the other members regarding their impressions of the Yamai sisters.
"Strange, why wasn't I interviewed?" Denji asked.
"They probably just missed you during the interviews, but no worries, we can interview you now," Makima said, resting her elbows on the desk, her fingers interlaced as she looked at him with interest. "So, Denji, can you tell me how you view the two Wind Devils?"
Denji thought for a moment and opened his mouth.
Just as he was about to say something, it was as if he suddenly realized something, and the words caught in his throat.
"I... can I not answer?" Denji swallowed hard, his throat tightening. "I mean, my opinion doesn't really matter, right?"
"You've spent the most time with them, and I believe your evaluation will carry weight... So, please answer carefully," Makima said, her smile still gentle, but her words made Denji's pupils shrink.
"Denji, your answer will decide their fate."