After seeing Sharron off, Raphael was just about to get some rest when he received a letter from Xio, asking whether he had killed Deputy Director Dewinter.
When Raphael had previously asked Xio for information about the deputy director's daily routine, she had already suspected that he intended to attack Dewinter.
Before, Xio would have assumed that Raphael would ask a Demigod or Angel serving the Lord of Evil Desires to do it. But after accompanying him on the operation in Conston, she knew very well that Raphael could kill a Saint himself.
He had simply mentioned that there was a limit to how many times he could do so.
Xio had thought that Raphael would need a few days to recuperate after returning to Backlund before making his move. She had never expected Dewinter to die on the very afternoon of their return.
So Xio wrote to confirm whether Raphael had done it.
Raphael wrote back: "I'll save that Imperative Mage characteristic for you. We can have another in-depth exchange in the cave when the time comes."
After handing the letter to Pain, Raphael returned to bed with a lingering smile, savoring the memory of his passionate encounter with Xio in the cave.
Cherwood Borough, Backlund.
After receiving the letter, Xio marveled at how efficiently Raphael took his revenge.
On their way back, Raphael had only casually expressed his displeasure with Dewinter.
At the time, Xio had noticed a habit of his. He generally did not immediately attack the people he cursed out; sometimes, he simply swore at them to vent his anger. But anyone he casually expressed dissatisfaction with was very likely in for trouble.
The Demon Hunter who had stabbed him was an example of the former. Raphael had cursed him plenty, but he also admitted that