Seventh Chapter: Deal with the Joker
Part 1
After parting ways with the Abbadon twins, Lucifuge and Satanachia headed towards the building they had spotted some time ago. Lucifuge looked back at Satanachia, who was cutting down the bushes with her axe.
"This is going to take way too long. If we're going to bring victory to Lucifer-san, we need to fly towards the building."
"But doing that wouldn't be dangerous? Don't get me wrong, I'm willing to take the risk, but it's weird for you to get dangerous. Are you sure you want to do this?"
"If it is for Lucifer-san, I'm willing to lose my life."
"That wasn't what I asked you, but ok."
After that sarcastic comment, Lucifuge and Satanachia flew towards the building. Despite the fact everyone could attack them if they flew on the open air, no one did it, and so it was easier to get to the building.
Once they flew over it, they descendent with the grace of a cat. Satanachia appeared to be sharpening her axe, while Lucifuge looked towards the only entry on the roof.
"We don't know what is behind that door, but I'm sure this building will be a strategic advantage, so we need to clean it as fast as we can."
"Aye, sir."
After Satanachia said that, she and Lucifuge went through the door, trying to reach the other end of the 13 stories building they were in.
Part 2
Will and Hayato finally reached the building they were aiming for after 1 minute had passed since they defeated the heirs of Abbadon. Given the door in front of them wasn't locked, they could get in normally. But-
"Can I do it?"
"Of course."
After asking Hayato on the subject, Will used Caliburn to cut down the door. The Holy King Sword which could distort space was unnecessary strong to break the door, but Will wanted to do it just because.
"It's open now, let's get in."
Will and Hayato entered the building, and the first thing they noticed was that they were in a hallway which leads right towards a staircase. The staircase obviously led to the second floor, but that didn't explain the need of doors on the sides of the hallway.
"Where do you think they'll lead?"
"I don't know, but I got a feeling we should."
Will got close to the first door to the left, but just before he could open it, it opened by itself.
"What the-?!"
Will was unable to finish his sentence, as a hand reached out from the door and took Will into the room. Hayato panicked over the situation, but the second door to the left opened.
"Hello, member of Team Human, I want to talk with you."
The one who said that was Dist Crodel from Team Angel. Hayato was confused about his words, but Dist kept talking, not paying to Hayato himself.
"I want us to work together to fight against them, since only that way we can fight them. If you refuse, I can assure that they will retire you as soon as they see you."
Hayato looked around, but it didn't appear to be any other person on the place, so he was confused to whom Dist was referring to.
"Who are them?"
"Just wait, they're coming."
Shortly after Dist said that, two figures came down the staircase. A red haired woman and a silvery haired man, they were clearly Satanachia and Lucifuge from Team Devil.
"Just like I thought, there are other people here… I wonder if it was you who retired Grei and Nias."
Lucifuge appeared to be concerned about his comrades' retirement, but he wasn't going to get any answer from Dist. He was totally focused on defeating the Devils before him, even if it meant working with a non-believer.
"It doesn't matter if it was them, Lucifuge; all that matters is that they are our enemies."
Satanachia said that, preparing her axe to fight against the duo of swordsmen who appeared before her. Dist created a light spear and guided it with his finger, pointing it at Lucifuge.
"You Devils took away the most important person in my life, I will never forgive you."
After those words, the spear flew towards its target. However, Lucifuge raised his left hand, and the spear before him simply vanished.
"I believed you knew better, after all, I'm able to nullify your light."
Just like Lucifer is immune to it, Lucifuge is able to nullify the light created by the Angels and Fallen Angels. There's a reason he's known as the one who flees away from light.
Dist charged at Lucifuge without delay, but his Holy Sword was blocked with a single hand. While smoke came out of said hand, Lucifuge didn't appear to care.
"Your opponent isn't just a simple Ultimate-class Devil. I'm a legendary Devil recorded in many myths and Lucifer-san's right hand, so you can't take me lightly."
Lucifuge soon punched Dist on the abdomen using his free hand, sending him flying. As the traits of the Queen enhanced his abilities, this already powerful opponent was the favourite to win the event.
Hayato, noticing they would go after him if he didn't react, decided to attack too. He charged towards the Bishop, but Satanachia was able to match his slashes with her axe.
"You aren't bad to be just a human, but I got millennia of battle experience, someone like you who has barely lived two decades isn't a match for me."
Hayato tried to speed up his attacks, but Satanachia followed that without any problem. An opponent who could keep up indefinitely to his attacks wasn't going to favour him.
On his side, Dist stood up from Lucifuge's attack and put on a fighting stance with his sword. It was a perfect copy of the legendary Holy Sword that belonged to Gawain, Galatine, being known as Galatine II, having been recently created by the best blacksmiths and alchemists of the Vatican, with some collaboration from Denpachi Okumura, of course.
Dist charged at him once more, but Lucifuge was able to evade his attack. In return, Lucifuge launched many demonic energy balls, which hit Dist with great power.
"I can recognize your effort, but you need to upgrade your technique."
Dist looked at the Devil as he spoke those words, so Lucifuge kept explaining.
"Swordsmen are known for their technique and speed when they fight, yet, your sword style involves charging with brute force rather than speed. It appears you learned how to use a sword from someone who only focused on power."
Lucifuge pointed at the showdown between Hayato and Satanachia, which was clearly a stalemate as none of them was taking any advantage over the other, and continued explaining.
"The human over there shows a great technique and speed with his not only one but two swords at the same time, so it's clear he has been trained correctly, unlike you."
Dist put on an angry towards the words of the Devil in front of his eyes. No, it wasn't related to what he said about Hayato, or about what he said about Dist's technique. What made him angry was-
"Don't disrespect… Nero-san!"
Dist kept slashing Lucifuge in all direction without any sign of stopping, but the Devil was able to easily dodge all attacks from the Angel. He had a great sword, but it was nothing without a great swordsman.
"He became a Devil! He abandoned me and Virgilio-san to help our enemy! He dragged María into the Underworld!"
Lucifuge was confused by Dist's words, as he was clearly disrespecting the man he asked to not disrespect. However, all his doubts cleared just a moment after that.
"But even then, he was my master! He was the one who trained me on the sword! Without him or Virgilio-san, I don't know what would be of my life right now!"
Dist suddenly stopped his attacks and changed his stance, clearly pointing the tip of his sword towards Lucifuge's chest.
"I'm Michael-sama's Ace! I'm a High-class Exorcist who works for the Vatican! I'm the Angel who's going to defeat you!"
Dist said that as he charged forwards, stabbing Lucifuge on the chest. It clearly was a deadly injury, and even more to this particular opponent given it was a Holy Sword used on a Devil. Yet, Lucifuge couldn't help but giggle.
"You truly have the passion needed… but the fact your rage blinded you shows your lack of experience, since you were so blinded you didn't notice it-"
Lucifuge suddenly vanished into thin air, with only smoke remaining where he was. Dist was confused at this sudden act, but his body was unexpectedly pierced by huge amounts of demonic energy.
"-You were so blinded you didn't notice that was a clone."
The one who said that was Lucifuge, who launched an intense ray of demonic energy from behind Dist at zero distance. This attack dealt an extremely severe damage towards Dist, who didn't have experience fighting an enemy of this level.
"But… I was meant to defeat María…"
"Sorry, I don't want to understand your delusions, so this is the end for you."
Lucifuge said that before launching a huge demonic energy ball towards his astonished opponent, forcing Dist to be covered by a white light and vanish.
[Dist Crodel from Team Angel retires.]
Without Dist on the picture, Lucifuge looked back at Satanachia. She and Hayato were on a stalemate, since no one was able to take any advantage on the battle.
"Satanachia, I already finished my battle, so you can do the same."
"Ok, I was tired of losing my time this way anyway."
After Lucifuge spoke those words, Satanachia slashed at Hayato multiple while charging her attacks with demonic energy, with her speed increasing to totally new levels. It was clear what happened: she was holding back until Lucifuge won his battle.
With her full strength unleashed, Hayato felt to the ground without any kind of resistance. Satanachia created an extremely concentrated demonic energy ball, pointing it towards Hayato.
"You weren't bad for a human, but this is the end."
And with that powerful attack whose light enveloped the whole building, a voice resounded all over the place.
[Hayato Okita from Team Human retires.]
Lucifuge and Satanachia were happy for having won their battles, but they didn't know it was just the beginning.
Part 3
Will was pressed against the door, seeing as his friend was defeated by the duo of Devils. However, he wasn't pressing himself against it; someone else was doing so.
"Do you see that, lost lamb? Devils will harm the people you care the most without mercy. Such battle that was so important to your friend was nothing more than a diversion to that Devil. Will you accept that?"
The one who spoke to Will was the Joker of Heaven, Virgilio, who whispered on his ears the situation before his eyes.
"Devils are the enemy of mankind too, and I'm sure even a lost lamb like you will return to the right path, the path the Lord has given to us, to fight against them."
By placing his finger on Will's chest and spinning it around, Virgilio whispered some final words.
"Will you help me to punish this heresy, Will Pendragon?"
Will, whose face was filled with anger, suddenly relaxed, and even started giggling. The bright on his eyes was gone, as he didn't think clearly anymore. What filled him was a single feeling: revenge.
"They talk a lot about a Devil's whisper, but an Angel's whisper is also sweet."
After saying that, he looked back at Virgilio with a sadistic smile.
"I accept your deal, Joker."
Upon hearing that, Virgilio put the bright smile that was characteristic of him. However, his desire wasn't a pure one, but one filled with hatred towards the enemies of God.
"May the Lord forgive your sins, Will. Now, let's bring the power of law to this chaos."
With just those words, the duo that was together due to their mutual hatred towards the Devils opened the door.
