Seeing the Yamai sisters preparing to leave, Makima could no longer stay calm.
Without making a sound or any movement, she was like a quiet snake. If the sisters were to continue wandering around Tokyo, Makima would follow silently, observing their actions.
But now, the sisters' feint had forced her into action.
She had no choice but to speak out and stop their departure, revealing herself.
However, in Makima's heart, there was little panic or regret.
Although she had never interacted with these two Wind Spirits before, in the brief few minutes of their encounter, combined with the Yamai sisters' actions in other countries, Makima already had a rough impression of them.
It was because she saw how extraordinary these two Wind Devils were that she chose to intervene and keep them from leaving.
After hearing Makima's words, Kaguya Yamai crossed her arms and looked up and down at the mature woman in front of her.
"The Anti-Devil Department? I seem to remember that it's a human organization for exterminating Devils, right?" she asked bluntly. "But I clearly sense the presence of a Devil on you."
In just one glance, her true identity was exposed, but Makima didn't seem surprised at all.
For humans, appearance was their only means of distinguishing Devils from humans.
Even Devilmen, who looked human, usually had some strange features, like Power's two red horns.
However, for Devils, their scent was their main way of recognizing each other.
Just like Power, the Blood Devil, could smell the scent of Devils through blood, Makima, as a Devil of Control, also had a similar ability.
And as high-ranking elemental Devils, Wind Devils, Makima naturally guessed that they might also possess such abilities.
This was why, after leaving the burger shop, she had asked Hayakawa Aki to return to the car and wait.
Although many in Japan's government knew that she was a human controlling a Devil, it was better to appear as a human in front of subordinates.
But in front of fellow Devils, there was no need for any disguise.
"I am indeed a Devil," Makima said flatly. "But no one has said that Devils can't join the Anti-Devil Department, right?"
"Well, that's true..."
It seemed that Kaguya Yamai accepted the argument, slowly nodding.
Then, as if thinking of something, she looked at Makima suspiciously, took a combat stance, and asked, "You're not planning to exterminate us, are you?"
Upon hearing Kaguya Yamai's words, Yuzuru Yamai seemed to grow wary as well.
Both of them released a faint spiritual aura, as though they were ready to fight at any moment.
"Question, why are you stopping Yuzuru and me?"
"Heh, even if you're a Devil, we're not afraid of you."
After revealing her identity, it was only natural that the Wind Spirits would become hostile toward her.
Makima took a few steps back, signaling that she had no intention of attacking.
Seeing this, the Yamai sisters also dispersed their spiritual power.
Although their previous actions were meant to play the part of the straightforward and brash Yamai sisters, in truth, they weren't afraid of Makima.
Had they encountered Makima right after they first arrived in this world, they might have backed off a little.
However, they had been in this world for half a month now.
In that time, they had shown power far beyond that of ordinary Devils.
As far as property damage was concerned, their combined total had even exceeded the damage caused by the Gun Devil.
The reason for their worldwide battles and destruction wasn't just for acting purposes, but also to show off their strength.
More precisely, to show their strength to Makima.
As the Devil of Control, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in Hell, Makima's abilities were terrifying, even if her physical strength was not as great.
As long as the opponent was weaker than her, she could use her control powers to brainwash them, turning them into puppets.
What made her most dangerous was that the assessment of strength was completely subjective.
However, Makima was a highly rational person.
This meant she would wisely assess the difference in strength between herself and her opponents, arriving at a reasonable conclusion.
In a sense, her rationality constrained her abilities.
After all, if Makima were someone who held herself in high regard and disregarded everyone, she would have long since become the ruler of Hell and wouldn't be here in the human world.
The Yamai sisters believed that the efforts they had made over the past half month had been enough to show Makima the difference in power between them.
To ensure the point was made even more directly, a few days ago, they had sunk an island in the Pacific.
Kaguya Yamai had used her lance-shaped angel, Raphael: El Re'em, to violently dig and carve through the ocean floor. Yuzuru Yamai had used her chain-like angel, Raphael: El Na'ash, to tear out the island's foundation. The two of them spent a great deal of effort before finally sinking a remote island nearly one-third the size of Japan into the sea.
This kind of simple, brute-force power was something no one—neither humans nor Devils—could match in this world.
Therefore, they weren't afraid that Makima's control powers would have any effect on them.
"Please don't misunderstand. Neither I, nor Japan, have any intention of making enemies with you two."
Makima's voice remained soft as she extended an olive branch, "In fact, the reason I called you two over is because I'd like you to join the Anti-Devil Department."
"Refuse."
"Not interested."
The Yamai sisters nodded in perfect sync, clearly showing no interest.
Makima understood.
Joining the human side was indeed a very beneficial choice for many Devils.
Once they gained official status, they would go from being enemies of humanity to its allies.
Within reason, governments around the world would meet their demands, allowing them to live a life served by humans.
Money, beauty, food... even human lives.
In exchange, all they needed to do was offer up a little power and labor and sign contracts with Devil hunters.
However, based on Makima's observations and reasoning, these two girls had no interest in anything like that.
The only thing they were after was the title of Wind Spirit Yamai.
Therefore, joining humanity's side had no real benefit for them.
Makima's smile grew wider.
No benefit? Then she would create a benefit.
They didn't need money, power, or beauty?
That was fine. She would treat them accordingly.
"The duel between the two of you is to determine who the true Wind Spirit is, right?" Makima said. "Since that's the case, I believe you'll need a fair referee to provide an objective result for your duel."
"Hmm..." Kaguya Yamai stroked her chin. "You do have a point."
"Agreed." Yuzuru Yamai nodded in agreement. "With a referee, Kaguya won't be able to cheat next time."
"What did you say? I didn't cheat!"
"Wow, Kaguya might have a small chest, but her skin is thick."
"You two... I haven't finished talking..."
"I'm going to fight you now!"
"Heh, try me."
Watching the Yamai sisters bicker amongst themselves, Makima pressed her lips together.
If she did manage to recruit these two, they might be even harder to control than Denji and Power.