I just barely manage to keep myself standing as my surroundings suddenly change and I find myself near the hanging gardens.

I'm still not sure what to think of all the shit I learned in Yomi. Fortunately, Saya chose to simply pretend that our...conversation didn't happen when she was sending me off, but her insistence on leaving me in the dark just bothers me. How bad does it have to be for her to think that I'm better off not knowing any of it? Of course, the revelation that she somehow became a freakin' goddess of death bothers me much more. That alone is bad enough, but the real problem is that she's been assigned to this role by some higher entity and it obviously wants something from her. I have no idea what it could be, but it can't be anything good considering what Saya is now.

...Whatever, I'll leave that for later. It's not like there's anything that I can do about any of this divine crap. I have enough of Nu's shit to deal with as it is.

Should I still consider her to be Relius' creation? That bastard didn't really give a definitive answer and his wife makes it even less likely that he is to blame for this piece of work, but she has his signature. If memory serves me right, people like him usually put their signature on whatever they make just in case it gets lost or someone tries to steal it. Can't say I see much of a point in it, but that's what the old man told me. If that wasn't enough, then Nu's memories...or at least what I've seen of them so far is enough to confirm that the masked bastard really is responsible for making her. Something weird is going on here.

Anyway, instead of going back to Ronin-gai, I decided that it would be better for me to check the NOL branch in Kagutsuchi in case the Azure Grimoire is still there. There is a possibility that both of us are now criminals for assisting Noel and attacking NOL personnel and so I have to be careful. Sure, those chumps ain't gonna do shit against me or Lambda, but I'd rather not dig myself deeper if I end up getting nothing out of this.

The lush gardens are actually pretty damn helpful here. We both stick out like a sore thumb even with our capes retracted, but there's enough greenery and statues to obscure us from view...not that we have to actually go anywhere near the gate or anythin'. Still, it certainly got crowdy here compared to the last time we've been here, which is why I tap my forehead to ask Nu if she senses the Azure's presence instead of trying to keep my voice down. So far, she hasn't detected anything.

"...Nope, still nothing. Maybe getting a little closer will help, but it's safe to assume that it's not here anymore." - the girl in my head says.

Shit, I can already see the gate from here. Getting any closer certainly won't help. I'd be more angry about this, but at this point, I'm used to this shit. Honestly, if it turned out that all of this was a waste of time and I'm stuck like this for the rest of my life, I wouldn't even be surpris-

I feel the branch beneath my foot give way, but before I can follow it, a thin arm wraps around my waist, letting me climb back up. I'd thank Lambda if that asshole over there wasn't looking in our direction. Fortunately, he turns away and walks away in a few seconds.

"You know, we'd be done with this sooner if you didn't bother hiding...and we wouldn't have to do this in the first place if you didn't decide to abandon everything in favor of that stupid girl." - Nu points out. I'm getting real sick of her attitude, but at least she's not doing anything about it. I wish I didn't have to butcher myself just to keep that bitch pacified though.

As we wait for a pair of guards to pass through, I think of what Noel must be going through right now. I doubt she joined NOL because she wanted to and then it turns out that they want her dead anyway. I wouldn't call her completely ignorant, but she doesn't exactly strike me as being the sort of person who is mentally prepared for whatever life decides to throw at her. At least I can say for sure that she's in good hands for now...if she managed to reach Bang.

...A part of me still feels like I should have ditched her back there. Even if we spent a few days together, I still don't know her that well and she did nothing to help me. I'd probably be done with this much faster if I didn't let her help me. So much shit could have never happened if I...

No, this kind of reasoning won't get me anywhere. There's no point in bitching about what could have been if I did this or that. I don't feel like my decision to save that idiot's sorry ass was wrong and that's all that matters.

"There's something big nearby. Be careful." - Nu warns me. I'm gonna assume that it's not related to these guys, but then what is it?

Thankfully, we leave the gardens in a few minutes without much problems. Now that we're no longer hiding from anyone, I put the cape back on and Lambda follows suit. It gets in the way at times, but it doesn't feel uncomfortable and it...I'd rather not walk around in public without it.

...I think I hear something approach...and it should be pretty damn heavy to produce such sounds. Whatever it is, it's slow and most likely massive. That alone doesn't tell the whole story though. Nu doesn't look very threatening, but that didn't stop her from almost killing Jin and Jubei looks even less threatening despite being able to kick my ass without much effort.

Finally, the towering figure wearing heavy armor comes into view and immediately turns to face me. I can see that the blonde accompanying me is one sudden movement away from shoving a dozen swords up his red ass.

"Target confirmed. Irregularities detected in subject's genetic structure. Unknown weapon detected. Awaiting orders." - the replica says, drawing the Red Devil's attention.

"You again...Great...What do you want?" - I ask. The last time he got close to me, I ended up bound in chains inside some bitch's lab. He did end up saving Jin by knocking Nu out, but that doesn't make it any better.

"Ah, so it was you after all...Nu. We would like to thank you for assisting us in our research, but your services are no longer necessary. Now hand over the replica." - the giant of a man commands, but with his tone of voice, it sounds more like a polite request.

"Wait, what? How the hell am I supposed to do that? Isn't she going to blow up if she's still not stable? How can you even be sure about that?" - I ask. I can see him raise his eyebrow even with his glasses and the armor in the way.

"...Excuse me? I don't think I know what you're talking about. I am here to retrieve it." - he replies...This is weird. There's no way in hell Sector Seven would have omitted such important details when giving him this task...unless...

"Are you guys seriously trying to blow everything to smithereens? Do you really think I'm gonna let you do that?! Yeah, not a fat chance in hell!" - I shout, thankfully without attracting needless attention.

"You are growing hysterical. Please, calm down. I don't know how you've managed to reach this conclusion, but it's incorrect. If that was our goal, we could have done so without resorting to something like this. All we need is to examine it, which is why I've been tasked to bring it back to Kokonoe, its master." - the Red Devil says, still keeping a cool head about it...which is surprising given his stature and reputation.

"Examination? Are you gonna cut her open like you tried to do with me?" - I ask, not even bothering to hide how annoyed I am. While I wasn't awake during that time, that beastkin told me enough to know what exactly they want to do with Lambda.

"I believe so...Why would...that concern you?" - the towering man asks. I can't tell whether it's me caring about the replica or caring about her at all is what's confusing him.

"Why shouldn't it, you idiot?!" - I ask in response.

"Yeah, you really shouldn't be worried about her when she can't really die. Besides, you have me and so there's no need for this cheap knock-off." - Nu chimes in, being just as unhelpful as usual.

"This replica was made by Sector Seven. From the information I've been given, it was made out of your severed arm, wasn't it? With your callous personality in mind, you shouldn't be concerned with its fate." - the Red Devil replies as he adjust his glasses, which look too small when compared to his index finger alone. He mumbles something, but I can't make out anything.

"Callou- Alright, that's enough! Leave now or prepare to get your ass kicked and trust me, I'm not gonna pull any punches here." - I warn the man, my sword already drawn and ready to cut into his flesh, but he just shakes his head.

"I'm afraid I cannot back down...but I would prefer not to resort to violence so quickly. I want you to reco-"

"I will not return." - Lambda interrupts the relatively giant man, which actually surprised him...and even me to lesser extent. She doesn't speak much to begin with and even when she does, she never gets this assertive.

With another sigh, the Red Devil flexes his arms, somehow shifting the armor on his forearms and releasing steam in the process. As it moves back into place, his gauntlets start sparking. I really don't know what to expe...

...What is this...fuzzy feeling?

"...Very well. You leave me no choice. I didn't want it to come to this, but I've been well prepared for this outcome...Whenever you're ready."