Chapter 54: Hell Rising Pt1.
*5 days later, Old School Building*
It's already long passed the school hours, both of the high school and the university.
"Yes, Kiba, Alex, place it in the height of that bar."
"Yes, Buchou"
"Got it"
Buchou guided Alex-san and I as we align the name board on top of the door outside our clubhouse, the Old School Building.
Yes, right now, all of the members of the Occult Research Club, with the assistance of Alex-san, are continueing working on the preparations for the Kuoh Academy's school festival.
All the decorations and event sections are mostly finished, and everyone is fluently rehearsing their process at their respective sections.
"Well, everything seems to have mostly done. With a bit more refining, you'll have your ORC festival house in its' finest.", said Alex-san as we finished aligning the name board.
*Clubroom*
After having finished most of the construction work, all of us, the Gremory group, alongside Alex-san took a break inside the clubroom.
"Thank you, Alex, for helping us with the preparations for the past 3 days", said Buchou as she thanked Alex-san for his assistance.
"Yes, you've worked hard", said Akeno-san as she poured a cup of tea for him.
"Yes! Alex-nii was so helpful!", said Irina-san.
"I agree, Alex's knowledge certainly have been useful in the recent construction work.", said Xenovia.
One by one, each and every member in the ORC complimented him.
Indeed, Alex-san has been assisting us in most of the recent festival preparations. His knowledge of mechanical engineering and electronics certainly have been useful in preparing special parts of each event sections and the electronics around the old school building.
He was also very helpful in the architecture decorations around the building. One of the empty rooms in here is the place where we will be doing a fake purification for the school festival. If we do an actual purification, it would be dangerous for us since we are devils, so we are doing a ritual which is kind of similar to it, but with an original creative idea which is like a devil-style purification which contradicts to our kind. On the day of the school festival, the plan is that Akeno-san will be in charge here, where Koneko-chan will use her Senjutsu to make the flow of the ki inside our customers better and increase their luck. Alex-san assisted us in renovating the room to match the aesthetics of a Japanese Shinto Shrine, as well as making special effects to amplify the atmosphere to suit the human senses.
Hearing our praises, Alex-san waved his hand.
"Nah, it's fine. I only did the basics…", he said.
He is very modest.
"…and besides, if Vergil were here… he'll be able to do a lot faster and much better than I am."
…
Silence clouded the clubroom by the mention of his name…
…
OPEN.
The sound of the door open, breaking the silence.
"Well, I'm back… from that bothersome meeting"
It was Azazel-sensei, he sighed as he just returned from the staff meeting.
Buchou stood up immediately with a worried face.
"Azazel, did you manage to…"
Before she can ask, Sensei shook his head sideways immediately.
"…"
Buchou became sad as she looked down.
Yes…
Immediately after his overwhelming triumph against a tenacious enemy from the near past… Vergil-san sped away on his new motorcycle in the heavy rain and the dark curtains of night.
Having got out of the remains of Red Grave city and went back to our town in Japan, we returned to the Kuoh Sparda residence…
But he wasn't there…
He did not come home.
It's already been nearly a week since he left…
And no one have been able to contact him…
"So he has hidden his presence again…", said Alex-san.
"Yeah, and even better than before… well, it should be obvious considering his current state of not at full power.", said Sensei as he sighed, again.
"U-Umm… Sensei?"
Gasper-kun, who is sitting in his opened box, asked while raising his hand.
"What is it?"
"W-Was Vergil-senpai very good at hiding himself in the past?"
That's… a rather weird question.
Maybe because Gasper-kun have only see him in heated battles?
It must be so.
Alex-san and Sensei looked at each other, before Sensei turns to Gasper-kun to answer the question.
"Of course he is, if he's not, then we would have been able to capture him a long time ago."
Hearing Sensei's and Alex-san's answers, everyone else, included me, also all looked down.
…
We have… discovered something a little while ago.
It was a revelation that took us all the way to the remains of Vergil-san's old home to find out, revealed by Alex-san and Azazel-sensei…
The past decade that we, those who were taken in by Buchou and the Gremory household, those who were given a roof over their heads and meals to eat, those who were given love and compassion…
We thought that our savior, our most powerful comrade, was the man who strove to live up to his father's legacy, as the destined hero to end the great evils…
…
But the truth… was far too painful.
Vergil-san, the hero of our hearts… was an immensely tragic figure.
He… had lost everything.
His family…
His home…
His dreams…
All of that… was taken away from him, since his very childhood years…
Not only by his and his father, Sparda-sama's greatest nemeses, Mundus and Argosax, but also by scums and fanatics who, to our surprise, is partly governing the current Underworld.
They captured, tortured him, as well as his mother and little sister
With only pain, vengeance, and the little memories of his family to fuel himself, he sternly walked the earth and other realms for more than a decade, fighting powerful adversaries who were in his way, slaughtering the scums who were responsible for his and his family's suffering…
All while being completely alone…
…
"This is… all my fault", said Buchou.
Everyone then looks at her hearing that.
Our [King] and master, Rias Gremory-buchou, has especially immense affection towards Vergil-san.
Obviously, like us and many members in the peerage, she was also one of the lucky people who was saved by Vergil-san. But unlike us, she was saved more than once. The first was the fated time in her childhood with Akeno-san. They met each other again in that night 2 years ago during the destined battle of Vergil-san's life. And most recently, the past months throughout our experiences together after he recovered his memories.
The most memorable of the recent events would be the time he broke off Buchou's engagement with Riser Phoenix and set her free. It was thanks to that event that we were able to reunite with him after years of his disappearance.
Strictly in our peerage, there are just three male members. Me, Vergil-san, and Gasper-kun. While Buchou indeed adores all of us with a great sense of familiar importance. Her ways of confront Vergil-san was totally different from us, especially after the engagement was nulled.
She kisses him.
Yes, she comes and kisses Vergil-san. I was once asked by him whether she did the same with me and Gasper-kun.
My answer was no. She did not.
I also heard from him at times from our personal chats that the kisses weren't to the cheek or forehead like Gasper-kun and I, but mouth-to-mouth, even tongue kissing.
Not just that, she also moved in with him and constantly make physical advances towards him, something that was looked up to by most of the girls in the group, who then also started making their own advances.
All of that, can only be actions of very affectionate lovers.
Not just me, everyone else, were glad for Buchou. She was free from the former enforced greed of the two families, as well as being able to find genuine love in her savior.
The problem… was that Vergil-san did not reappropriate her feelings.
He remained oblivious the entire time, despite Buchou's and the girls' advances.
For the rest of us, he treated us as kids. Granted that he is the oldest and the most experienced in the group, still, that's not a good way to look at comrades.
Despite he constantly says otherwise, we always had that feeling that he doesn't trust us with anything…
… or so we thought…
Until now.
"Don't blame yourself for this, Rias. You couldn't have known. And it was still Vergil's fault for not telling you. Not just you, but also the others."
Alex-san shook his head as he says that.
"Besides, it's also our fault… for not reveal that sooner."
Alex-san, Azazel-sensei, and likely… no, certainly, the current Yondai Maou, the rest of the Grigori, and the Archangels, have been safeguarding the secrets of his past from us.
We can't really blame them, consider how big of a crisis it would have been, had the fact that a city was mysteriously destroyed overnight was revealed to the humans' public...
…
No.
Vergil-san, Alex-san, and the others. They weren't the only ones at fault.
"Well, there's no doubt that both of you, as well as Vergil-san, were the ones to be at fault the most. Vergil-san was especially inconsiderate of Rias' feelings, as well as ours…"
Akeno-san says it with a serious face.
"… But that's only from your perspective as those who had hidden the truth, and the perspective of Vergil-san as both that, and as a man."
She continued as everyone diverted attention to her.
"Not just Rias, but we were also at fault… For we have never tried to understand Vergil-san."
Hearing Akeno-san's words, all members of the club once again looked down, including me.
"Over the past months, each and every one of us have went through our own tragedy… We did not make it through alone, and who was there the most for us? Vergil-san."
She's right…
Vergil-san didn't just save us during the most desperate time of our past…
He also saved us in the times of the present. Asia and Buchou are the two most obvious examples. But more than just them…
He dug up my painful past when I was in denial, and helped me broke through the regrets of mine and my former comrades, who were victims of the church's fanatics…
He reforged Gasper-kun, made him gained the courage he needed to face his powers and master them…
He helped Koneko-chan overcome her fear of her powers and her elder sister, allowing her to truly embark on her own path to become stronger. To reach her true potential as a Nekoshou…
He pushed Akeno-san, who suffered in a similar way as he was, through her trauma from losing her mother, allowing her to reconcile with her father, Baraqiel-san. Even more, he even defied Death, and resurrected Akeno-san's mother, Shuri Himejima-san, allowing a happy family to reunite after years apart by the cruelty of fate…
"Well, his methods are indeed rather… forceful and straight-to-the-point, and he had certainly pecked our uneasiness at those times.", said Xenovia as she nodded in agreement.
"However, one by one, we were all able to overcome our walls, thanks to that stubbornness and relentlessness of his… And yet…", Akeno-san followed.
"…We've never once question him beyond what he told us…", said Koneko-chan.
Yes…
As soon as he told us "No, it's nothing" or "Don't worry about it", we simply let things slide…
Our almost thoughtless admiration towards him, as well as our common perception of him put us to subconsciously believe that most things would be trivial for him…
But it's not.
He suffered more than any of us.
He had to face his pains and fears alone…
He had no one to share his stories with…
Things that we were given…
Were also things he did not have.
Even after we have reunited…
Even after we have been together as a grand team…
For all the help and companionship that he had actively given to us…
We mostly took it for granted. We never once actively tried to talk with him about his issues.
And that's what led to this situation…
this one situation that was accumulated by everyone's faults…
We resented him for an act that wasn't his intent…
And had to discover the truth the hard way…
He saved us, again…
And now he's gone…
"When Vergil-san looks at us, sometimes, he looks at us with worried and fearful eyes, no matter how faint those signs were. At first I didn't understand why… but now I do."
Akeno-san mutters that with a sad voice.
"Yeah, he may not have said it much, if any at all, but every time he looks at each and every one of you… you all reminded him of the tragedies he faced and suffered along the way."
Azazel-sensei nodded as he says that.
"For Rias, Asia, Raynare, Mittelt and Xenovia, it was the pain of being trampled on by the cruel reality that others were contented with. For Kiba, it was the temptation of vengeance. For Gasper and Koneko, it was the fear of facing the consequences of one's inherited powers. For Akeno… it's the pain and despair of losing everyone you love."
Alex-san followed immediately after Sensei.
…
"All those reminders pushed him to help all of you overcome your walls. He did his best to ensure none of you will ever be like him. So that you can enjoy the beauty and meanings of life to the fullest, something that he couldn't do.", said Sensei.
"Like we already said before, we're not trying to make excuses for Vergil, not before, not now. It's still his fault for being oblivious."
Alex-san then continues.
"Please, understand why he did what he did. That's the only thing we're asking"
Once again, he bowed down to all of us.
Silence blanketed the room as we heard his sincere words…
Words he has spoken as Vergil-san's best friend and childhood friend…
…
…
"I-like Vergil-san very much."
[?]
A voice sounded, as we diverted our attention to it…
It was Asia-san, she broke the long silence with a radiant smile.
"I want to stay with Vergil-san forever. There is no way I will talk ill about him. I respect him. I admire him. He is the man I can depend on the most. I think deeply from my heart that I want to stay with him even in the future."
She then continues.
"While Vergil-san is a very capable man who can accomplish many things, he's also not a perfect person. He always told us that, remember, everyone? He helped us so much, so I think this is the perfect opportunity for us to help him back."
All of us, including Alex-san and Sensei, were startled for a short moment.
But then…
We all smiled.
"Really… Asia managed to go ahead of me again.", said Buchou.
"Ufufufu. Yes, Asia-chan is right. It's our turn to help him. I also like Vergil-san very much as well."
Akeno-san laughed cutely, saying what she said.
Koneko-chan nodded as she also says.
"…Me too. I like Vergil-senpai very much. I think it is perfect, for us to help him, for real this time."
"Senpai went through a lot of painful things, things that I can't imagine. He helped me so much, despite our not-so-good start… I want to help him as well, to recognize all of us.", said Raynare-san.
"Yes! Vergil-niisan's life is already too painful. He already pushed us pass our walls, it's time we do the same for him.", said Mittelt-chan, agreeing with her elder sister.
"So this is the new crusade of the Gremory group. Then as the [Knight] of Rias Gremory-buchou, I will march forth with my Ex-Durandal, and make Vergil recognize his feelings, and all of us."
Xenovia, having become full of spirit, says that as she pounded one of her hands on her palm.
"Yes! I should join as well! I'm Michael-sama's [Ace], as the Brave Saint of the Host of Heaven, I'll join this crusade with everyone to bring Vergil-nii back!"
With immense enthusiasm, Irina-san resonated with Xenovia as they completely broke the tensioned air previously in the clubroom.
Yeah…
That's right…
Vergil-san is our hero, regardless of anyone's opinions.
But… he's also not a perfect being.
We all have flaws.
We make mistakes all the time.
But we can learn.
We can be better.
We can help each other. To be better, together.
Seeing our determination, Azazel-sensei made a sigh.
"*Sigh*… no wonder why he falls for you. And not just Rias, you all started to be just as hard-headed as he is.", he said.
"And that's a good thing. It means that he has found both good friends and comrades. And even more so… you know what I mean", Alex-san followed.
"Well, you're probably right", said Sensei as he shrugged.
Yup…
We are stubborn, no less than Vergil-san.
It's our turn to help Vergil-san.
And we're not going to waste it.
"Ah, speaking about it, shouldn't you announce that as well?"
Suddenly, Sensei says to Alex-san with a cheeky voice.
"H-Hey"
?
Why is Alex-san so flustered? Is it something that makes him too embarrassing to say?
"Alex-nii, what is it?", asked Irina-san.
Hearing the question, Alex-san looked to the side with his cheeks red.
"He's getting engaged.", said Sensei.
…
[OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!]
All of us shouted out in hype.
Wow!
Alex-san is getting engaged already!?
"Alex-nii! Is it the oneesan who always accompanies you in Michael-sama's errands!?"
Irina-san asked again in excitement.
Alex-san nodded redundantly.
"Congratulations, Alex. We're happy for you", said Buchou.
"Yes, congratulations, Alex-san", said Asia-san.
"Indeed, this is a joyous event. So, has the day been decided yet, Alex-san?", asked Akeno-san.
Yes, I want to know that as well.
"We actually… haven't decide that yet… I just asked her yesterday, you know!?", said a heavily flustered Alex-san.
Yup…
The signs of a happy couple.
There's no way we can't be glad for them.
"Well let's just move on to something else for now shall we!? I promise I'll tell you when we've decided!"
Hehe…
He wants to divert the topic.
It's okay, Alex-san.
It's natural for you to behave like that.
We all smiled mischievously.
"T-That's right! The new episode of [Oumaryuu Gakuin no Futekigousha] is about to be aired!", said Gasper-kun as he tried to change the mood.
Ah, yes…
Today, this evening, the new episode of Vergil-san's own anime show, [Oumaryuu Gakuin no Futekigousha], will be aired on most channels of the Underworld.
The show has become a very successful entertainment program for the young children of the Underworld.
Up to this point, we, the Gremory group who was heavily affiliated to it as the main cast, had several campaigns in various territories, elevated our fame to a whole new level. It was thanks to Vergil-san's acceptance, that the children were able to have a wonderful show for their childhood.
Truly…
Even if it was just on the screen, despite not being his intentions.
He's still a hero, a great one.
Gasper-kun went to get the remote on the shelves, and turn on the large, flat-screen TV that was installed in the room.
[Next: Oumaryuu Gakuin no Futekigousha. Countdown:7…6…5…]
The countdown starts, the show is about to begin.
[…4…]
[…3…]
[…2…]
BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ.
[Huh?]
All of the sudden, the screen was buzzing black and white, seemingly having lost signal.
"This is strange… I don't remember our signals being weak at all…"
Buchou muttered with a small voice.
BUZZ!
The buzzing screen came to an end within seconds, and what we saw next was… the Underworld's news report?
[We interrupted this program to deliver emergency news!]
The news woman, who seems to be on a news helicopter, possessed an expression of… terror.
What's going on?
Everyone was confused by the sudden interruption.
[The capital city, Lilith, is under attack! I repeat, the capital is under attack!]
[What!?]
All of us were terrified as the emergency unfolded.
The capital is under attack!? By who!?
I can think of Khaos Brigade, the terrorist organization that is still at large…
As the news feed shifts to a different view, we saw the aerial view of Lilith, the capital city and…
[!]
Oh no…
[Lilith and its' surrounding cities are beginning to cease functioning, as the result of what you're seeing: The massive unknown demonic tree, growing out from the very center of the monument of the Dark Angel. The city is being taken over completely!]
"No, it's not unknown… that tree is too obvious to not recognize."
Azazel-sensei muttered with a serious tone.
The news woman suddenly received a call.
[Hold on, we're receiving news of confirmation of the source of the attack, but…!]
She became even more horrified.
Yes…
Anyone who heard of this tree's name, be it Angels, Fallen Angels, Devils, or even the Gods… would be drowning in terror.
It's…
[This! Isn't this the ancient Demonic tree of the primordial hell Inferno, the "Spine of the Great Darkness", the Qliphoth!? The tree that is the polar opposite of the Holy tree of life, Sephiroth!?... Oh my god…]
BOOM!
[We're hit, we're hit, we're going dow…]
The sounds of explosions and alarm went off intensely…
BUZZ BUZZ.
… before the screen went buzzing again.
The news helicopter just got taken out.
Another view of the city pops up.
[Hold the line. Hold the line! Nothing gets through!]
The Devil soldiers who were dispatched, is trying to hold back the massive attacking hordes of… Demons.
[AAAAAAA!]
The scream of some of those soldiers getting killed and eaten permeated us.
No…
We can't sit here anymore.
We have to do something!
Azazel-sensei immediately took out his phone and calls someone.
"Sirzechs! Are you receiving this!?"
It seems to be Sirzechs-sama on the other end.
They had a decent conversation while we continued to look at the nightmare on the TV screen.
"Alright, I'll go with them there."
Having said that, Sensei hung up.
Buchou, who is like us, unable to watch anymore, stands up.
"Azazel!"
She calls Sensei.
"I know! Come on, we're heading to Lilith, all of you!", responded Sensei.
And like that, we steeled our resolve, and heading to our objective destination…
*Underworld's capital, Lilith*
The capital city of the Maou territory in the Underworld (Devil side), Lilith. The area is roughly the same size as the capital city of Japan, Tokyo. In terms of culture, it is no different, and there are very tall buildings and public transport present. It may be a bit different compared to other developed countries, but it is definitely a city. But that city is drawing into a crisis. That's because the ancient Demonic tree, Qliphoth, is currently attacking the city, as well as the cities around it.
Using the teleportation magic circle beneath the Kuoh Sparda residence, we transported ourselves to the capital. By the time we made all our preparations and arrive…
"Uwa!"
"Help me!"
It's… already Hell on earth.
The once purple skies of the underworld, now turned blood red.
Masses of dark clouds blanketed the entire city, and the surrounding cities as well.
They concentrated around that one grotesque structure, that just one look at it makes us want to vomit.
That's right.
It's the Qliphoth. Pierced the clouds up high and towering at the very center of the capital, where the memorial of our hero, Vergil-san the Son of Sparda, is the "Spine of the Great Darkness" itself.
Vergil-san's memorial…
Before he resurfaced, we used to come there every month to pay respect to him, for all he had done for us…
Now, that place was ruined, by Vergil-san most dangerous, most abominable enemy…
The current King of Inferno, Urizen, who is striving to become the "True Demon King" prophesized in various legends, the being who is said to be the supreme deity over all demonic and evil.
We affirmed with each other, and followed Sensei through the city by flying high through the air.
As we flew, we witnessed horrifying sights on the ruined streets.
Countless lifeless husk, some made in groups, some were alone.
They are all seen slowly fading away like dust.
On many parts of the city, an innumerable amount of black, grotesque-looking tentacles with thick, thorny protrusion pierced countless civilians and soldiers alike.
THROB!
The tentacles throbbed, in an instant, the bodies of those they skewered, quickly shrinks and wither away, as if their body fluids were sucked out. They soon joined the husks that is already on the streets.
All of us look away, unable to bear the sights any longer. Asia-san and Mittelt-chan especially covered their eyes, tears leaking from those innocent eyes of theirs, mourning for the victims.
After a while of flying over the city, we finally arrived at our destination.
A massive scale makeshift military camp made from the intact national park and several buildings around it, including the hospital. The camp is filled with soldiers, varieties of heavy weaponry and vehicles not just from the Devil side, but also from the Fallen Angel side.
We make our way through the camp, and arrive at the main command building, which is one of the biggest hotels in the capital owned by the Maous.
As we gathered at the entrance…
"Rias."
A strong voice sounded. As we turned to the direction of the voice…
"Sona, Sairaorg, Seekvaira. You all are here"
It was Sairaorg-san who called out. He is with Sona-kaichou and Seekvaira Agares-san. The rest of the "Rookies Four" aside from our Master, Rias-buchou.
Their peerages are also with them.
"Yes, we have all been summoned by the Maou-samas… Hold on, Rias, where's Ve… Takeru-san?"
Sona-kaichou, with her keen observation, managed to see that Vergil-san was absent among us.
"He's…"
Buchou was troubled to respond.
And we can't tell them that he left without leaving any note…
"He has something to do at the moment, he'll join us later. Now come on, we can't waste time"
Sensei comes in for the save. His tone… does he believe that Vergil-san will appear in time? In that case, we should believe him as well.
Back to the point, luckily, everyone who is present know that time is of the essence, so we continued our way.
Upon reaching the roof of the building via an elevator, we met up with the Yondai Maou-sama.
"Ah, Rias and everyone", said Sirzechs-sama who is wearing an imperial battle armor of Lucifer.
Unlike usual, for obvious reasons, his face was full on serious. So does the rest of the Maous, even Asmodeus-sama, who's famous for his "Working means losing" philosophy is well awake, and are also in his battle armor.
"Onii-sama, please, tell us the situation"
"Yes, everyone, follow us."
We, the peerages of the "Rookies Four", plus Sensei, Alex-san, Irina-san and the Fallen Angel sisters, followed the Maou-samas to the briefing room, at was briefed of the crisis.
The tree emerged along with the attack waves of the demonic horde in merely less two hours before Vergil-san's anime show, was broadcasted.
There was no declaration, no warning.
Just a straight up mass invasion. The Demons relentlessly attack the citizens of the capital, as well as the other cities in the vicinity mere moments the tree fully emerged.
The Devil side's army tried to contain the situation, but it was hopeless. Not even the latest artilleries of the military were able to break through the tree's shell.
The horde, seemingly having been strengthened by Urizen, was able to reach the degree equivalent to Ultimate-class Devils.
They swiftly overpowered the soldiers, killing countless civilians, sucking away their essence and fed it all to the tree.
The situation soon escalated beyond control. That's why we received emergency news right before the anime was about to be aired.
"So this has escalated beyond control… no wonder the militaries of each factions are all gathered here with the heavy equipment.", muttered Seekvaira-san.
"Serafall-sama, is the Heaven side's military currently on standby?"
Sona-kaichou asked Leviathan-sama with proper honorifics. Even though they are siblings, there's a need for proper formalities, due to Leviathan-sama's position.
"Yes, they are currently readying in Heaven, acting as our reinforcements should the situation became even more out of hand", said Serafall Leviathan-sama with a serious tone like the rest of the Maou-samas.
Sensei then walks towards Sirzechs-sama.
"Sirzechs, so has those places show any signs yet?", asked Sensei.
"No, nothing at the moment, each of the outpost we set up around those areas have nothing to report over the past month."
The past month? Outposts?
…
[!]
Could it be…
I look at Alex-san as we nodded and head towards Sensei.
"Sensei, Sirzechs-sama, could it be that you two are talking about…"
Having no need for me to finish, both of them nodded.
"Yes, Kiba, Alex, it's about those Hell Gates that we managed to find all over the world, thanks to the intel you three gathered back in the mission in Hawaii."
I see…
So it's about those gates…
After the Hawaiian mission that Vergil-san, Alex-san and I were sent to investigate and subdue the invading demons sent by Urizen months ago, we arrived home with all the intel we got, and sent to Sensei and the Maou-samas.
With that intel, they were able to track down traces of Urizen's and his minions' interferences. Every track leads them to one of those Monolith-shaped Hell Gates identical to the one we found of the remnants of Morse Field.
A total of nine Hell Gates, including the one we found, was recorded up to this point. But unlike the first one, the remaining eight, for over the past month, had yet to show any signs.
"Those gates will surely be of use to Urizen. It's probable that he might use them in this crisis in some form, we should keep that in mind."
The four of us nodded as Alex-san and I returned to our group.
We all gathered around the strategic table once again upon Sirzechs-sama's command.
"Back to the current crisis, to be honest… I'm still redundant in sending young people who are our world's future to this battlefield.", he said.
We can't blame him for having such thoughts. Every leader must put the future of his race as the top priority.
"Sirzechs-sama, I know that you and the others care for the future of our world, the future of the people. All of us, agreed with that from the very beginning"
Sairaorg-san continues.
"But we can't just sit here and watch, while brave men and women are out there, fighting against odds that they have little hope to win on their own. We have strength, so we should put it to good use."
"Sairaorg…"
"Besides, it that Demon who is commanding the tree wins, then there won't be any future, for anyone."
"…"
Sairaorg-san's immense courage puts us all in silence.
But after a short while…
Sirzechs-sama, from his serious expression, returned a smile.
"So you all will go even at my protest?"
He asked, having seen our expression in sync with Sairaorg-san's.
"Hot-headed, stubborn, yet brave… it's really no mistake for us to entrust the future in the hands of you youth. Very well, everyone, I'm… no, we're counting on all our you."
[Yes sir!]
We all shouted in unison. There's no way we can betray Sirzech-sama's hope.
"Now then, for our strategy, until we figure out a way to resolve this situation, the number 1 priority is containment. Each peerage will take a position around the area of the Qliphoth, work with the military to ensure the waves of hordes do not spread any more than they are now. Move out!"
[Roger!]
As we confirmed, all of us head out of the camp.
We spread our wings and flew to our respectively assigned locations.
The Sitri will take the left side.
The Bael will take the right side.
The Agares will take the rear.
And we, the Gremory, plus Alex-san, Irina-san, Raynare-san and Mittelt-chan, will take position right at the front door.
…
Vergil-san…
Please return soon…
You will miss all the action, you know?
…
*4 hours later*
It's been four hours since we joined the containment operation.
I was cutting down the savage demons with my Holy-Demonic Swords with Xenovia and her Ex-Durandal.
Alex-san and Irina-san were fluently interchange between releasing blasts of Holy light and melee combat with Light swords. The same goes with Raynare-san and Mittelt-chan.
Buchou and Akeno-san were blowing away enemies with intense blasts of the Power of Destruction and Holy-lightning respectively.
Koneko-chan, as usual, uses her fists and kicks, coaxed with Touki, augmented by the mystic arts of the Nekoshou, to destroy the demons. Gasper-kun is supporting her with his Sacred Gear.
Asia-san is flying around, using her [Twilight Healing] to ensure none of us get seriously injured.
Alongside the other "Rookies Four" peerages, the military of our Devil faction,and the Fallen Angel faction, we have held out well.
But now…
We have been surrounded, right in the center square of Lilith.
The Demons are rather extremely tenacious.
We cut them down, blew them away, incinerated them…
But they always came back.
Even a single drop of blood remaining would allow them to be fully regenerated.
Plus…
There's that gigantic blood gate in front of the Qliphoth that has been spawning countless more demons as we cut them down.
We tried to destroy the gate, but none of our armament was able to bring it down.
"This has turned into a very dire situation, don't you think, Kiba Yuuto?"
Sairaorg-san who is standing next to me, says that. He has been blowing away Devils with only his fists. The fists that can only fit that of a Great King. It seems that he has the enthusiasm of a battle maniac. Even right now, his words are filled with joy.
Yes, it's just like he said, a dire situation indeed…
He makes me really miss Vergil-san already…
Vergil-san…
Where are you…
…
As we all steeled our resolve once again…
VROOOOOOM!
[Huh?]
All of us were surprised.
That sound…a motorcycle…
!
Wait!
I know this one!
Suddenly, one of the giant advertisement screens in the square displayed a scene.
The Demons, distracted by the display, looked up to the scene, so do we.
…
No way…
…
That expression… those glasses… that bike!
It's him…
It's Vergil-san!
He's speeding around the city on his demonic motorcycle, the prize he obtained after his perfect victory against the Angelo that managed to escape from us on Hawaii.
As he reached a linear road, we can see clearly that he is heading… right here!?
VROOOOOOOOOOOM!
As we look at the linear road, we saw a massive number of demons got blown away, their bodies were shredded to pieces, their blood sprayed to the ruined buidings on the two sides.
The wave of demon parts and blood came closer to us, before broke off as a streak of black and red flew over our head.
Vergil-san… was flying through the air on his bike, tearing the demons apart just by the pressure of the air around him and his ride.
[CHANGE! BURNING STAR KNIGHT!]
The red dragon gauntlet, one of the 13 Longinus, the Boosted Gear, manifested on his left arm. A battle cry came out, shouting the words of power.
By its' name… Trinity [Knight]?
SHINE!
The demonic bike, as well as Vergil-san, was then covered in intense crimson light!
As the light dissipated, what that is still cruising in the air, as we witness in slow-motion, was…
A winged Centaur form of the Sekiryuutei!
The upper body of Vergil-san was covered in a sleek and streamlined red dragon armor. Built on its' back are an array of thrusters brimming with power, and a pair of large, high intensity light wings resembles those of the Hakuryuukou Vali, but in red!
His lower body resembles a Qilin, which obviously resembles both a horse and a dragon!
On his right hand is the Excalibur Morgan, but it now features a form of a double-bladed longsword.
Is this… his new [Knight] Evolution!?
Using his momentum, Vergil-san, in his evolved Trinity [Knight] armor, accelerated even more.
DOOOOOOON!
Like a catastrophe, he plowed through the legion of Inferno, leaving shower rains of blood behind him.
We all flew high up to avoid the pressure of his attack.
[…]
All who presented can only witness in awe as Vergil-san swiped the capital city clean of demons.
As he returned to the front of the Qliphoth…
LEAP!
DOOOOON!
His giant Centaur-Qilin legs pushed the ground away as he once again leaps high into the air, the ground area that was his leverage, once a large intersection, now only a huge crater.
As he stalled up high, he raised his sword into the sky.
DOON!
Raw Demonic and Draconic powers gathered on the two blades, distorting the space, as well as sending shivers to our spines.
With vigour, he dived straight down! Aiming directly at the massive blood gate!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
[Uwaaaaaaaaaa!]
A massive explosion with intense shockwave knocked us back!
The whole area is now covered in a dense cloud of dust.
Using our wings, we all steadied ourselves.
As the dust settled…
What we witness in full view from the sky…
Dark red color dyed the streets and buildings. The whole city is soaked in demons' blood.
Standing at the crater where the giant blood gate once stood… is the winged Centaur Sekiryuutei, Vergil-san. His ganguantian body is also covered in blood.
No more demons were spawned…
He annihilated them all!
But, from the flow of his aura… he isn't happy.
He just… stood there, completely silent.
…
After a while…
GOBBLE GOBBLE!
[!]
Suddenly, the surface of the body of the demonic tree, Qliphoth, partially changed into a for of blood-like, slimy fluid. It then slowly morphs… into a massive demonic skull!
With its' hollowed eyes sockets, the skull looks at Vergil-san, who stares directly back at it. Despite his eyes are hidden behind his dragon helm, we can all feel is immense rage.
A rage…
That is not unlike that of him… years ago…
…
After a short while of staring, the skull laughed in a loud husky demonic voice.
(Who knew that killing these insects would draw you out.)
It says that while looking at Vergil-san.
This tone… the tone of a tyrant…
It's Urizen.
Vergil-san just simply silently stared at the skull. He must have known that it's just taunting him.
(No reply? Hmph, doesn't matter, you're here, and that's all I need)
As Urizen says that, a hole was opened on the body of the demonic tree.
(We both know what you came here for, don't we? You want to settle this? Then come and get me. If you can)
Having finished, the slimy skull disappeared in a haunting, disgusting manner. The tree's body surface transformed back to its' previous impervious state.
"…"
Vergil-san remained motionless and silent for a good while.
After that…
FLAME!
His entire Centaur body was covered in crimson flames… and dissipated.
THUD.
Vergil-san landed lightly on the ground. We noticed that he's wearing a new black long coat. This one only has a single longer tailcoat that covered his legs all the way to his ankles' height. There are 3 tall silver metal-colored rings on each long sleeves, and on the coat's back, a larger, silver metal-colored version of the Sekiryuutei's crest can be seen.
He stares at the hole made by Urizen for him to enter.
We thought that he was about to walk in…
But…
[!]
Unexpectedly, he turns to our direction, and look at us for a while.
His eyes, at first glance, seems emotionless…
But now… as I look at my comrades in the Gremory group as a whole…
We can all see… that his eyes… are filled with sadness… and regret.
"Vergil…"
Buchou muttered with sadness in her voice. As the other peerages weren't close enough, they couldn't hear her.
Vergil-san closed his eyes as he slightly gritted his teeth.
As he reopens his eyes… his face bears an unwavering determination.
He then walks into the hole, through the dark tunnel of Hell that seems to have no end.
[!]
We have to accompany him. He can't do this alone!
But before we can start to move…
SLAM!
The hole slammed shut behind him, locking out all interference from the outside…
…
Vergil-san…
Author's note: Sorry for the delay, folks. Got hit by roadblocks quite a few times expressing this chapter. To read this chapter, I suggest listening to "Dance of the Cavaliere" around the end, it's better to have some music to better imagine the scenes. As for the slimy skull that Urizen used, you can read Devil May Cry 5: Vision of V, Chapter 15 to find out. That's all for now. Enjoy.