Author's note 1: Sorry for the waiting, folks, lots of personal life issues happened, and I was also not very happy of the initial draft, so it took a while. But in any case, here we are, Volume 11 prologue. As usual, it's better to read while listening to the music that contributed in allowing the chapter to take form: In order, 1st track, I have no confirmation of the name of the track, but apparently, it's called "Adagio for strings" by certain commenters in YouTube, you can search it in the "Death of Superman" animated movie in 2018. 2nd track, "Men Are Still Good" by Hans Zimmer & Junkie XL, just the first 60 seconds of the track though, the part that they played in Superman's memorial. You'll know where to listen to the tracks as you go. Now, please, enjoy.
Chapter 58: Absence of the Red Dragon.
Qliphoth, the Spine of the Great Darkness, the Demonic tree of Death that contrast the Divine Tree of Life, Sephiroth.
It consumes the blood of mortals, nourishes itself to eventually bear a fruit…
The Divine jewel of Inferno, the True Hell.
The Forbidden fruit, the key to the awakening of the Demon King.
Through countless generations of Inferno, powerful demons have consumed the nourished fruits, gained Divine power to become rulers of the realm of their time.
But none of them can be compared to the most recent consumer.
Urizen, the new Demon King of Inferno.
Formerly the infant Son of the Legendary Dark Knight Sparda, whose life and fate was warped by his father's nemesis: Mundus, the Emperor of Darkness, his former master and predecessor of the throne.
He who stole his elder brother's powers, managed to claim the empty throne, subdued almost all demons in the realm, and ascended beyond the previous kings with the absurd power to shake the foundations of existence itself.
But such ascension… came with a great, but grave sacrifice.
The invasion of the Demonic tree, alongside the forces of Inferno on the capital city, Lilith, has costed the Underworld dearly.
Within less than a few hours, the capital's infrastructures, alongside those of the surrounding cities, are in ruins.
The armies of the Devil Faction and the Fallen Angel Faction somehow managed to contain the situation, preventing the tree from spreading beyond the cities it had taken.
But despite their best effort, the loss of innocent lives was unimaginable.
Due to the current Underworld had changed to accommodate Reincarnated Devils, with the majority being former humans, the high concentration of the latter's population in Lilith and the metros in vicinity was the perfect supply of mortality for the Qliphoth.
Countless black body bags can be seen all over the vast ground within the military base set up around one of the Capital's national parks.
Cries of sons, daughters, husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends and so on, can be heard echoing throughout the area.
They all have lost their love ones, be it bystander civilians, or soldiers who served in the coalition army, to this night of unbearable tragedy.
"UWAAAAAAAAAAA! Okaa-san!"
A boy, among the grieving civilians, is crying next to an open body bag, containing a withered husk of a woman, the corpse of his mother.
"Lirenkus…"
His father, whose body filled with injuries, is comforting him, even though streams of tears are also leaking from the corners of his eyes.
The boy's name, is Lirenkus. He was the child, who alongside his mother, were presented at the "Oumaryuu Gakuin no Futekigousha" live show that happened a few days ago at the old capital, Lucifaad.
Due to his family's home being distant from the old capital, as well as the lousy traffic of that day, he was too late for the Oumaryuutei autograph signing.
Out of sadness, anger, and frustration, Lirenkus cried out loud, showed a profound persistency of not wanting to leave, having come all the way. He was fortunate, however, as his idol, the dragon lord "Oumaryuutei", the current Sekiryuutei, Vergil, witnessed his resolve, and signed him a personal autograph on his Oumaryuutei-themed cap.
For a child of Lirenkus' peer, it was one of the best gifts of his life, a happy memory added to his collection of childhood memories.
Today was also a similar memory.
Lirenkus, alongside his parents, were strolling around the lively capital, enjoying their time as a family of three.
Shopping at the shops and malls, enjoying dinner at a simple restaurant, playing catch in the park… Nothing out of the ordinary for a common family.
But as long as they are happy, even those are more than enough… if only it could last even longer.
Lirenkus and his parents were among the first wave of victims suffered by the sudden invasion of Urizen's invasion.
While the kid and his father were lucky to be alive… his mother wasn't.
She got killed as she pushed her son and husband away from danger, moments before her corpse being deprived of life by one of the demonic tree's thorned roots. The subsequent waves of attacks trapped the survivors under the rumbles. They were then rescued hours later by the military.
Under the Yondai Maou's order, the bodies of the people who died during the invasion, including that of Lirenkus' mother, were to be recovered as much as possible, and brought back to the base to be preserved, and eventually, buried properly…
Or at least, the last part was supposed to be carried out eventually, according to plan.
BOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Minutes after the Vergil, the Son of Sparda, and his twin brother, the current Demon King fought and crashed back into the Qliphoth, a gargantuan burst of mixed magical energy exploded out of the tree.
ZUUUUUUUUN!
The massive, omni-directional, radiant energy wave, generated from the explosion, started to expand violently. It soon blanketed the vast scenery in bright white light.
However, despite the extremity of the explosion…
The light that it releases… wasn't a light of destruction that sweeps away everything.
But rather a warm, serene light… akin to salvation…
…
Moments later… the blinding white light slowly dimmed down.
The scenery has returned to normal…
But there was more to it than meets the eye.
Especially, for those who survived long before.
"Lirenkus! Are you alright?"
Lirenkus' father, who instinctively hugged his son tight in his arms as the wave of the explosion was closed in on them, is now checking his little boy's condition.
The latter simply nodded earnestly to his father's worries, before looking around with a doubtful expression on his face.
"W-What just happened?", he asked.
Before the father and the son can try to get their bearings…
"Uhhhh…."
A female voice sounded.
""!""
It was a voice that the two are both familiar with.
As they turn to the direction of origin, the shock on their faces rose to a whole new level.
"Wh-Where am I?"
Emerged from the still opened body bag… was a woman who appears to be in her mid-30s. Contrast the dusted, mudded bag she is in, her entire figure, including her clothes, were spotless, as if she just taken a shower.
The woman asked the moment she rose her body up, out of confusion as she looks around the yard filled with body bags.
"Okaa-san?"
"Honey?"
Lirenkus and his father asked, still in disbelief.
The woman spooked as she immediately turned around to the two.
"Lirenkus? Dear?", she asked.
Hearing each other, the three's eyes started to overflow with more tears.
HUG!
Without anymore words, they all hugged each other tight.
The warmth that Lirenkus felt… it is real. Not as a soulless corpse, or a lingering ghost: his mother is truly back, alive and well, both mentally and physically.
"How…how is this possible?", asked the father.
Indeed, how can such miracle happen?
The act of resurrection.
Such a thing, can only be a miracle of the Gods who governs the phenomena of existence.
But to preserve the natural balance between life and death, such miracle has always been considered a grave taboo, a decision that any god who sits in the seats of governance would never dare make, unless absolutely necessary.
For hours of raging battle since the invasion of Inferno, despite that the Demon King's rise to ultimate power would topple everything, not a single god, even the ones who had made diplomatic alliances with the Three Factions, was present. Naturally, they weren't even there to assist their ally, let alone saving the lost lives…
Yet it happened. The miracle that was thought to be only executable by the Divine, happened.
And it wasn't just limited to Lirenkus' family.
Cries of happiness can be heard around them, around the city. All other victims who fell were revived without fault, both those who were recovered and those who weren't. Even more so, all the streets that got ravaged, all the buildings that got vaporized… the ruined city was mostly restored to perfection.
However, only one place remained in ruins.
The largest national park at the center of the city, where the memorial of both the Dark Angel, and those who lost during his battle against the tyrants of Inferno in that night two years ago, was the grounds that the primordial tree of True Hell fully awakened.
But now, the park was nothing more than a yard filled with stacks of rumble. The Demonic tree was nowhere to be seen. The ominous atmosphere that leaked out of Inferno before, cannot be felt anymore.
"It's… It's over…"
"Sparda-sama's son… he did it…"
"He saved us…"
The people who was safe in the military base, came to that conclusion as they witness the explosion of light from before, as well as the scenery on the massive screen projected in the yard they are resting. They rejoiced, shouting out to their hero with loud, earnest praises. The city is now filled with joyous atmosphere.
"Incredible…"
On the balcony of the command center that overlooks the refugee yard, The crimson-haired Maou, Sirzechs Lucifer, expresses his relief.
Vergil Sparda, the son of his mentor and master, the young man that his little sister loves, was able to prevent the apocalyptic crisis and conducted the almost-impossible miracle. To Sirzechs, nothing can make him prouder tonight than his soon-to-be brother-in-law.
ZUUN.
A pair holographic communication magic formations appeared in front of him. The red one was his, while the other one, green in color, was that of the Fallen Angel-side.
[Sirzechs? Can you hear me?]
It was Azazel who called.
"Loud and clear, Azazel."
[The situation at the base, did you…]
"Yes, we all see it… he did it. He saved everyone."
[What a guy… not only the deceased, he also restored the structures of the attacked cities. What can't he do?]
Azazel responded in a sarcastic remark.
"Who knows, the guy's the misfit after all. He breaks rules as he goes. By the way, can you find him and bring him back? He already had enough for tonight."
[Already on it. It seems that the Gremory team found him, I'm coming there now.]
…
Azazel confirmed as he cuts off his channel to Sirzechs. He was flying in the purple sky with the Vali team to where Rias and the Gremory team headed.
"To be able to go this far even in his weakened state… Can I ever be a match to him…?"
Vali, in his white dragon armor with his light wings spread wide, pondered as he flew alongside Azazel.
"Let's just find him first, shall we? Then you can deal with all your doubts with him later, Vali.", said Azazel.
Vali did not respond, but at the moment, the governor didn't pay attention to that either.
A while of traversing through the air later, they arrived at the site of the ruined park.
"So only this place wasn't restored huh…"
Azazel said as he looks around.
"Perhaps this will be the new memory, of the terrors that passed."
Arthur voiced out, also observing the scenery.
The Vali team and the Fallen Angel governor then traveled on foot through the ruins.
They eventually arrived at where the Gremory team is currently at.
"There you are, did you find…"
Before Azazel can finishes, he stopped in confusion as he saw many of the members on their knees. Some are crying without reserve, some tried their best to hold their tears in, the rest are in daze of terror, as if to deny reality.
"Hey, kids, what's going on…"
He tried to talk to them, but before finishing his sentence…
"!"
With one accidental glance forward, he immediately halted as his eyes caught a heartbroken sight.
Rias, who is a bit away in front of all of them, is crying while hugging the damaged Boosted Gear with Yamato in its' grip. In front of her, countless red-colored glowing particles are slowly flying away, but there was enough to leave behind a vague humanoid shape on the ground.
It didn't take him long to put the signs together, upon realization, Azazel dropped lifelessly onto his knees and hit the ground.
"…You idiot…!"
With the words he left out, the Vali team, who was confused, also begin to realize what happened.
Vali widens his eyes in disbelief, his clenching fists loosen.
His comrades behind him were in silence, none of them were smiling by the slightest. Le Fay was the same, but she eventually breaks down in tears as she hugged her elder brother, Arthur.
Sounds of helicopter rotors soon echoed as the news helicopters arrived. Their cameras caught it all…
The survivors and the resurrected, all are now watching the live feed, switched from the joyous atmosphere to absolutely silent one.
The silence… of pure terror and disbelief.
In the command center, where only the Yondai Maou are present…
"No…"
Sirzechs, also seeing the live feed, falls on his knees with terror on his face.
The other Maous, Ajuka Beelzebub and Falbium Asmodeus, stood in silence as they looked to the sides, eyes closed. Serafall began to cry silently in a corner of the room.
The Maous, Azazel, the Gremory team, the Vali team, the citizens…
None of them are accepting reality, accepting the undeniable fact that is shown in front of them.
The life of the hero that the people of various worlds had been in debt to long ago.
The life of the man that many have failed to understand out of fear.
Their lives, their future, their homes and so on, all restored…
In exchanged for his.
*3 days later, Gremory castle*
It's noon, three days after the Invasion of the Demonic tree Qliphoth ended.
I, Kiba Yuuto, am currently standing on a floor in the Gremory castle. The Gremory castle is in a state of complete silence. Including the employees, the Gremory personal soldiers are also in sorrow. The reason behind it is because the Underworld is currently undergoing a crisis.
Three nights ago, the forces of Inferno, under the leadership of Vergil-san's deceased twin brother, Dante, who was known as the Demon King Urizen, invaded the underworld through the current capital city, Lilith. Urizen planned to use the citizens of Lilith, as well as those of the adjacent cities, as necessary nutrients to nourish the forbidden fruit of Qliphoth, in order to become the pinnacle of power. While he succeeded in consuming the fruit and was so close to achieve his desire, thanks to Vergil-san's valiant effort, Urizen's reign was short-lived as he made the soul-tearing decision to kill his remaining flesh and blood, saving all of us.
Despite that the nightmare of Inferno is now left behind in the past, the natural environment outside the urban areas still suffered severe damaged from and as part of the consequence of the invasion, hence there's a need for a lot of coordination effort between the people and the government to help with restoration and further development.
More than that, a lot of demons strayed from Urizen's legion are still on the loose, they'll cause a lot of damage if remain unattended, so that's another problem to the list.
But these are no immediate crises, as the government forces under the leadership of the Maou-samas was doing well. But…the crisis that is at hand, is far more painful…
The big screen television of the floor is showing a particular line of letters that none of us can bear to read.
[Dark Angel down: Night of lost hope. Dawn of sorrow.]
Even though I can't bear to read it out loud, I was unable to move my eyes away from it.
The television then shifted that headline to a corner at the top, and showed the streets of the capital.
All of the usually crowded and busy streets of Lilith… are now completely empty.
[It has been 3 days since the end of the horrifying Hell Zero incident, when the forces of Inferno tried to take over our world through the capital city…]
The camera shifts to a woman reporter as she started to quickly brief through the invasion of Urizen.
The Hell Zero event…
That the name that the officials decided to call it, as a reminder of Inferno, the beginning of all hells and abysses, the True Hell.
[… All had been resolved, thanks to the valiant effort of the Son of the legendary Dark Knight Sparda, Vergil the Dark Angel, who tragically died as he saving us all.]
The scene then switched to the particular place that is surrounded by countless citizens wearing black clothes, all are silently standing in their lines, not uttering a word.
[Tonight, his funeral will be held at the former…]
Not wanting to hear anymore words, I decided to turn off the TV right away.
"This place used to be so lively when I came here at times, now… yeah, I can't really say anything."
-! A sudden voice. When I turned around, Riser Phenex was standing there. I was thinking very hard while looking at the television seriously, so I didn't notice him getting behind me. Riser Phenex sighed.
"I came here as my brother's escort. I also came here to check up on Ravel and Rias to see how they're doing. But since the situation is like this… I can sympathize with you Kiba Yuuto."
Riser Phenex narrowed his eyes with a serious face.
…His… It seems like the death of Vergil-san has already reached this person as well.
Yes…
Vergil-san, the current generation Sekiryuutei who is also possible the strongest Red Dragon of all past, present and future…
The Son of the Dark Knight, Sparda-sama…
The hero of our hearts…
He ended the terror left behind by his own family, and brought us the miracle of restoration.
Every single innocent life that was lost during the invasion, he defied Death and brought them all back. Families that were destroyed, regained their happiness as their love ones returned to them. It was the same as he did with Akeno-san's mother, Shuri Himejima-san.
And not just that, he went even further, and restored almost all the damage in infrastructures of the attacked cities, making the process of rebuilding a lot easier, for the people of the Underworld.
But all of that… came at the cost of his life.
When Vergil-san released all of his energy, mixed with his brother's, he destabilized the Qliphoth's core, causing it to go through a meltdown. The result was the gargantuan explosion, that provided enough energy for that miracle. As his body at the time was unable to handle all of that outburst, it was slowly breaking down, killing him. We were told that clearly by Azazel-sensei.
By the time Buchou managed to find him… it was too late.
His entire being… shattered… right in front of our eyes…
The only thing that he left behind… was the damaged Boosted Gear… his sword, the blade of Darkness, Yamato… and his eight mutation pieces.
In the past there were cases where only the evil-pieces were summoned, and I heard that in all of them the person summoned was definitely not alive. His mutation pieces fell out from his damaged Longinus a day after that… but… they all have stopped functioning and cannot be used ever again.
We also had Heaven check for what happened to the spirit of the Sekiryuutei. That is because the Sekiryuutei Ddraig goes to seek a new host automatically when the current host dies. Information like that gets recorded in the Sacred Gear database…. Though it seems like the current Longinus possessors' specifics became very complex compared to the past possessors and for that reason information like that hasn't come in yet. The Longinus observation institute of the Grigori is also searching for any available information right now. But… We were told beforehand that receiving proper information would be very shallow beforehand. Vergil-san's case was unusual as his Sacred Gear, the Red Dragon Emperor's gauntlet, remained even after he perished. This imposed a defiant challenge to the current understandings of Sacred Gears of all Factions.
But put all of that aside… no matter how much we search, there aren't any leads that would reject the information of his death…!
As his death was known throughout the Underworld due to the timely arrival of the news media's reporters, the whole Devil world is currently in sorrow, despite still proceeding in the restoration process…
But we…! There is no way we could accept it that easily…!
"Why… Senpai… Why…"
"Vergil-niisan… you idiot!"
Raynare-san and Mittelt-chan said that as they were crying painfully. There was a time we were enemies of opposing sides, with those two being agents who were infiltrating our town. The truth was that their father, the rogue Cadre Kokabiel, blackmailed Raynare-san using her little sister, Mittelt-chan as the bargain chip, to do his dirty work. As we were in the dark about that at the time, we treated them in a harsh passion. But all animosity were resolved when Vergil-san, as the amnesiac Takeru Silver at the time, spared them, giving them the chance to explain their true circumstances. They have been in debt with him ever since, and Raynare-san actually developed her feelings for him over time. His death had left a terrible scar on their psyche.
"I'm very sorry to hear that. Were you able to meet with Buchou?"
I somehow managed to get my head straight and asked Riser Phoenix, but he shook his head.
"I couldn't. She didn't open her door. She didn't even respond when I called her… Well, she's not in a situation where I can meet her. Since the man she loves ended up like that."
Then there was someone who put a teacup on the table. –It's Koneko-chan.
"…Here is your tea."
Koneko-chan who has the same expression as always goes and sits on the chair in the corner after putting the cup on the table.
"Listen Ravel. In any case you have to cheer up."
Two more people appear. One is a man. The other one is Ravel-san. I am familiar with the man. Well only from television that is. He is oldest son of the house of Phoenix and the next head. Ruval Phoenix. He has a graceful face, and unlike Riser Phoenix who dresses up like a delinquent, he wears proper noble clothes. He seems very gentle and he shines just by standing. He is someone who has been in the Top-10 of the Rating Game before. There are also rumors that he will be promoted to an Ultimate-class Devil very soon. I see. So Riser Phoenix came as this person's escort. After he cheers up Ravel-san, he notices me.
"You must be Rias-san's Knight. Since it is a situation like this, you should be okay then."
He takes out several little bottles from his pocket while he approaches me. –They're Phoenix tears, high-purity ones with greater quality than the ones the Phoenix household sells in the market.
"We came to give you this along with seeing our sister and Rias-san. Since we are in a situation like this, we can only give these as part of our family's gratitude. I feel very sorry for talented youths like your group. -Soon I will also go to the hunt of the missing demons along with my foolish brother, after the important event of tonight: the funeral of the hero."
So the Phoenix brothers will also go join the pursuit of the remnant demons. Certainly the immortal Phoenix will be a very big support.
"…Sorry for being foolish."
Riser Phoenix is displeased by his brother's words…. The house of Phoenix has many siblings (four siblings), which is very rare among current High-class Devils. The oldest and the third son participate in the Rating Game, and I hear that the second son is one of the bosses of the media.
I received the tears from Ruval-san… I see, so he'll participate tonight.
That's right…
The special event of tonight… the event that Ruval Phoenix-san and many others will be participating… will be Vergil-san's funeral.
The ceremony will be held at the remains of the former center national park, the only place that remained in ruins. It was the inevitable choice to make it the ground for his funeral, for it was where the nightmare began… and also, where he rested.
The absurd amount of people of all backgrounds who will be attending it, shows just how positive his deeds are to the citizens of not only the Underworld, but other worlds as well.
"Rias-san and also Rias-san's Queen are both very depressed at the death of Sparda-sama's son. The one who should be calm at times like this is you. A servant who has deep love towards his comrades but can withstand a comrade's death. Remarkable."
Ruval-san smiles while doing a karate chop on Riser Phoenix's head.
"Thank you very much.", I replied.
No…
…The truth is I can't endure it any longer, but I still have to endure. That's because like he just said, Buchou and Akeno-san who aren't here are not in proper shape. Buchou has hid inside her room in the castle while holding onto Vergil-san's mementos and since Akeno-san also lost her psychological support, she is sitting on the sofa in the guest room with a hollow expression. Both of them do not respond when I try to talk to them. It is hard to imagine what they are going through right now because both of them were very dependent on Vergil-san's support. …Asia-san has also been crying this whole time in the guest room.
"…I want to go to Vergil-san's side right this moment… But if I were to go to his side… Vergil-san will definitely be upset… He promised me that he will always be with me… Then I thought I will be able to be with him if I go to his side… Vergil-san… What should I do….?"
She was also fighting desperately against her sadness.
Xenovia, Irina-san, Rossweisse-san and Alex-san are currently in heaven.
I heard the reason why Xenovia (Someone who knows the absence of God), and Rossweisse-san (Who is a Reincarnated Devil) are able to stay in Heaven while they would have an influence on the system based there is because of the cooperation from Azazel-sensei and the system of the immense tree from Norse-mythology, Yggdrasil. But they can only stay there for a short time. Even if we receive lots of cooperation from different factions, it will still take lots of time to unravel the system of Heaven which is delicate and has many secrets.
The four of them are at the same state of desperation like us here, especially Irina-san and Alex-san, who both had been Vergil-san's childhood friends, it was like a chainsaw grinding in their already soft hearts.
But despite that pain we shared, they had to be there, for there's one more person who is suffering even more due to Vergil-san's death, and they are still trying to reach her. Rossweisse-san is there to assist the three.
Upon hearing the news, Archangel Gabriel-sama, who is also Vergil-san's mother, was said to have locked herself in a separated dimension in Heaven, with hundreds of seals preventing anyone from coming in.
There was no way I can't understand her pain. Her child who she deemed herself to have failed in life, now she can't even be there for him. There's no greater pain for a mother than losing her beloved son.
…The Gremory group are all separated. Until recently it was among the ultimate teams that you couldn't ask for more, but now there isn't even a shadow of it. Even if the members who aren't here right now return, we don't know if we are able to return back to the original situation… Losing Vergil-san, who was the foundation of the team, was too big…
Am I able to support this team?
Vergil-san… please give me a bit of your courage and coldness. The courage you had that allowed you to stand up against anyone, the cold, hardened heart in you that allowed you to remain stoic even in dire scenarios…
Ruval-san then says it.
"Our family also wanted Ravel to become Vergil Sparda-sama's servant and possibly send her off to him if we could have."
"Yes. I understand that."
Vergil-san didn't care about it much, but the intention of the house of Phoenix could be understood from many perspectives.
"…What will happen to Ravel's future isn't decided, but can you allow her to stay here? It seems like she made friends. I think their names were Koneko-san and Gasper-kun? She talked a lot about both of them through the magic-circle. She seemed very happy."
"Yes. We will take care of Ravel-san."
Ruval-san smiles at my words.
"Yes, then we are going Riser. You will have to show off the splendid flames of the Phoenix since you are also a male from the house of the Phoenix. You don't want to be made fun of for being an upstart guy any more than this right?"
"I understand brother. See ya Kiba Yuuto. Take care of Rias and the others."
Ruval-san and Riser Phoenix leave after saying that.
The room becomes quiet once again. Ravel-san sits next to Koneko-chan. Her eyes get full with tears and she covers her face with her hands. A box was next to the two of them, with cries echoed out of it.
It's Gasper-kun's box.
He had been sitting there since we came back to the Gremory castle and had not been getting out ever since. The lost of Vergil-san was too much for him to bear.
"…This is too much for me…. I was finally able to get closer to the man I respect and have affection towards…."
Like us, Ravel-san had deep affection towards Vergil-san. Due to her tsun personality, she usually has a bit of a hard time expressing it, but to her, like many, he was, and is still a great hero.
She must have wanted to live under him being his servant. Koneko-chan then mumbled.
"…I was somehow prepared for this… No matter how strong Yuuto-senpai and especially, Vergil-senpai, are, there will be a time when they reach their limit."
-! …Koneko-chan. You had a resolution like that? So she was already prepared. It would be the natural way of thinking considering that we went through lots of near-death experiences up until now.
Vergil-san and I had secretly talked about this before.
About things after he was gone…
Hearing Koneko-chan, Ravel-san stands up enraged. She talks back to Koneko-chan while crying.
"…You are accepting it too fast…! I can't be strong like Koneko-san…!"
Koneko-chan received frustration from her fellow classmate. Her usual emotionless face starts to break down, and she eventually started to shake and cry.
"…I also… I also reached my limits in many ways….! He died before I can even confess my feelings…! Vergil-senpai is stubborn…! He's stupid…!"
Koneko-chan hid her eyes with her sleeve while crying out. She must have been forcing herself to stay calm. She kept her sorrow in even when she gave out tea.
…Things she kept within her small body start to flow out all at once. Seeing that, Ravel-san gently embraces Koneko-chan.
"Koneko-san… I'm sorry."
"…Sob… Ravel. It's too painful to bear… This is too much…"
In that moment, Gasper-kun's box opened, and our little dhampir raised his head, his eyes are reddened, and overflowing with tears.
"Ravel-san… Koneko-chan…"
The three of them looked at each other…
"Gya-kun…"
"Gasper-san…"
Before embracing one another while crying in unison
For the three first years, his death was too much for them.
…I need to endure a bit longer. Even if I cry right now… nothing will start. It is not the time for that yet.
"Kiba Yuuto… -kun."
Another voice. When I turned around, one of the leaders of the Fallen-Angels, Baraqiel-san, was standing there, alongside his wife, Akeno-san's mother, Shuri-san.
…
"I see. Then Akeno is…."
"My poor little girl… She already lost me once, now this…"
We walk through the corridor while I explain the situation to the two. I'm taking them to the guest room where Akeno-san is. Baraqiel-san and Shuri-san are Akeno-san's parents. They both had a painful expression, hence are sad knowing both about Vergil-san and Akeno-san.
I asked Koneko-chan and Ravel-san to look after Asia-san. Both of them are not in a condition to do that, but having someone who loved Vergil-san as well stay with Asia-san seemed to be the right thing to do.
…I am no good. I am a Knight that is supposed to support the girls but I cannot save a single girl from our group…
That's why I'm thinking of protecting them by wielding my sword. That is the best thing I can currently do for the girls. We arrived in front of the door where Akeno-san is in and I knock on the door. There is no response from the inside. We open the door and enter. There was no light inside and it is dark. Akeno-san is sitting on the sofa located in the corner of the room with hollow eyes. Baraqiel-san took a step and shakes his daughter's shoulder.
"…Akeno."
Maybe it is because she heard the voice of her father but she finally responds for the first time.
"…Tou…. -sama… Kaa… -sama"
She mumbles while confirming her parents' faces. Shuri-san just nods silently and hugs Akeno-san. Baraqiel-san then hugs the two of them.
"We heard the story."
Hearing that, Akeno-san got her emotions back and puts her face on her father's chest.
"Tou-sama… Kaa-sama… I…"
Her voice is mixed with tears. Baraqiel-san gently pats his daughter's head.
"You can cry right now. Your father and mother will be here until you stop. But you are the Queen of the Gremory group, which is turning into a representative of all the young Devils. You have to use that power for the Underworld soon."
"…Sob…Vergil…Why…"
Akeno-san cries within his arms.
…...If Baraqiel-san and Shuri-san are here then Akeno-san might recover a bit. I will be a nuisance if I stay any longer. Sensing that, I quietly left the room.
*Later*
While returning to the floor I had been on before, I passed someone I knew.
"Saji-kun…"
"Yo, Kiba."
"What brings you here?"
"Well, Kaichou came to see how Rias-senpai is doing. So I came to escort her. We met with people from the house of Phoenix on our way."
"I see. Thank you."
So Kaichou also came to see Buchou's well-being.
I then walk along with Saji-kun. He then says it with resolved eyes.
"Kiba, I'm planning to participate in this case. I'm going to protect the civilians living in the towns."
It looks like the Sitri group also joining the Demon hunt. Youths with power are being summoned. There is no doubt that the Great-King Bael group and Archduke Agares will be dispatched as well. It wouldn't be weird if the Sitri group were to be dispatched as well. Naturally we will also have to participate as youths that have power.
"We are also planning to join with you afterwards."
I say that but Saji-kun asks me with concern.
"…Are Rias-senpai and the others able to fight?"
…It will be natural to feel that way knowing the situation of Buchou and others right now. He knows it. He knows that we won't be able to fight properly with the current situation. Even so, we must go.
"We have to fight. All the Devils that have powers are summoned to it. We are Devils who have powers. -We have to do it."
"Yeah, you are right.", said Saji-kun with a smile.
"…"
"…"
A moment of silence clouded upon us… but Saji-kun broke it
"Vergil-senpai… he is a true hero."
He says it with a serious face.
"Yes… he is."
Even if it was just to us, Vergil-san has always been the hero who break through the unreasonable and brought forth hope and peace. Although he didn't acknowledge it, the world we live in is somewhat better than it was before, thanks to his efforts.
"He was my aim. I was able to work this hard because of him. I was able to do well in the match against Agares as well….! I was able to endure any type of hard training because he was the role model who I looked up to!"
Lots of tears are flowing out of his Saji-kun's eyes and he seems really mortified.
…He has been running after Vergil-san's back. For Saji-kun, the Vergil-san who became a hero was a big existence to him.
"Why did he have to die!? Those wretched demons who conspired with that garbage king to destroy him, destroy innocent lives, I'll burn them all…! My flame is a cursed black-flame that won't disappear even if I die. I will take down their lives even at the cost of my own…!"
Saji-kun is emitting an intense aura from his body. He is keeping down his power which seems like it will explode now.
"I will be troubled if you die, Saji."
When I turned around Sona-kaichou is standing there.
"Kaichou."
"Saji. I can understand you becoming emotional but I will be troubled if you die. If you are going to do it, burn your opponents while you stay alive, for Vergil-sama will definitely be mad, if his Kouhai dies of such blatant manner."
"!"
Saji-kun was a bit shocked by the last part, but in the second after, he wiped his tears with his sleeve at her words and then nods his head.
"Yes!"
Sona-kaichou then looks at me.
"We will pardon ourselves here. Our peerage will return to prepare for tonight."
"I see… So have you met with Buchou?"
She nods slowly at my question.
"She's keeping herself in her room. She won't respond even if I talk to her."
…So it was no good even with Sona-kaichou who is her best friend.
"But I called someone who is the most suitable at a time like this."
"Most suitable?"
I asked her doubtfully but she makes a shallow smile. She doesn't tell me who that person is… Who did she call?
…
When I returned to the floor, the television was turned back on again, this time, a group of children wearing black clothes like the adults around them are in view.
A different woman reporter came in, and gently urged one of the children to speak out their thoughts.
Hearing the name "Oumaryuutei" from the reporter's lips, tears started coming out of the child's eyes.
[Uuu… Oumaryuutei… saved my mommy… he is… the best…]
He responded with clear words, despite the constant hiccups…
[Uuuu… He… saved… my daddy too…]
[Oumaryuutei… is the best… Uwaaaaaaaa!]
As they cried even louder, their parents come forth and embrace them, somehow resonated with their children's pain.
Their idol who gave them wonderful childhood memories, is now gone…
But even so… Even with their hearts pressured by sadness, they still continued to believe in the Heroic Dragon Lord of Despair, Oumaryuutei.
Seeing such innocence in their eyes, I covered my mouth…to desperately stop the feeling I am keeping within me.
… Can you see, Vergil-san? The appearance of the children who still believe for you… They aren't even showing a single thought of fear or contempt of who you truly are. They still recognized you as their true savior with all their hearts…
You have to come back…! You have to be here…! Why can't you go to them…!? You are their hero…! Please answer them Vergil-san. You can't betray them…!
"The children of the Underworld are stronger than we think."
-! A sudden voice. That man is already standing next to me.
"You are!?"
"Takeru… No, Vergil Sparda has put something very precious inside the children's hearts. -It's been a while Kiba Yuuto. I came to see Rias."
It was Sairaorg Bael.
*a few minutes later*
Sairaorg Bael who was called here by Sona-kaichou arrived in front of Buchou's room while taking me with him.
"I'm coming in Rias."
Saying just that, Sairaorg Bael goes into Buchou's room. When we walk inside the room…we found Buchou sitting on her table. Her eyes are even more hollow than Akeno-san's were and are swollen red. …She must have been crying this whole time. Sairaorg Bael makes a sigh of boredom after getting close to her.
"You show me something very boring, Rias."
Seeing his attitude, Buchou asks him with an unpleasant face and voice.
"…Sairaorg. Why did you come here…?"
"I received a call from Sona Sitri. Don't worry. I received this call privately. So not a single member of the Great-King faction will be here any time soon."
The revelation of Vergil-san's identity, as well as his death, has caused a great political dispute between the Great-King faction and the current Maou government. Vergil-san's existence was already a tremendous one when he was still a missing legend for the two years, as well as his recent appearance as the current Sekiryuutei, Takeru Silver, and then himself in the flesh again. This person, Sairaorg Bael, understands that, I feel happy for his concern. Sairaorg Bael directly says it to Buchou.
And talking about politics…
Yeah…
The scums who's responsible for the misfortune of Vergil-san's life, as well as currently controlling Sairaorg's political ties…
They must be dancing in joy hearing this news.
"Let's go. The new sun of the Underworld will eventually rise, and that will be the end of his funeral. You can't possibly just lock yourself here in your room while people who barely know him are attending with all their earnest intent, can you?"
Sairaorg said something very proper. The usual Buchou would have agreed with that. But Buchou just looked away.
"…It is not my concern."
"…So you will fall this low, when others are mustering their courage while in the same pain, Rias. You were supposed to be a better woman than this."
Hearing Sairaorg Bael say that, Buchou throws a pillow at our direction and she gets enraged.
"A world without him! I don't care about the World without Vergil! …To me he was… that person was… He was more important than anyone else. For me to live without him…"
She tries to calm down while shedding tears. But…
"That man… The woman who that Sekiryuutei, The Son of Sparda-sama, Vergil, fell in love with wasn't a woman like this!"
Sairaorg said it loud to Buchou.
"That man was a strong person who kept on standing up with courage for you, your dream and lived up to your expectations! How can the master, the woman that man loved, have such a low capacity and appearance!?"
Buchou seems shocked hearing Sairaorg Bael's words. Sairaorg Bael continues.
"Stand up Rias. That man stood up no matter what. He stepped forward. He just kept on going forward. You should know that man, who selflessly died, saving us all, the best!"
With his vigorous spirit and words, he managed to snapped not only Buchou, but also me who is present, from our denial thoughts.
He then turns around.
"I will wait at that place. The place that he'll rest. How can you call yourself the comrades of the great hero, Oumaryuutei, if you won't even at least be there to send him off?"
He then continues.
"Besides, the Rating Game between our peerages, I still want to continue it… in his memory, as the worthiest warrior I've ever faced."
""!""
After saying that he leaves.
…A sudden silence.
So this is what Sona-kaichou meant by most suitable…
Sairaorg Bael. A man who fights only with his fists. He was the one of this new generation who was able to equally clash fists with Vergil-san.
That's why it seemed like there is something only that man can understand…
And that… certainly has reached us.
*Midnight*
It's already 11PM.
I, Azazel, along with Baraqiel, Shemhaza, as well as the rest of the Grigori, are standing in our Faction's designated revenue of the formerly largest national park of Lilith.
Tonight, is the funeral of Vergil, the Son of Sparda, The Strongest Sekiryuutei, and… one of my finest students.
The ruins of the park have been mostly cleared out, leaving vast spaces for a lot of people to attend. Aside from the majority being civilians of Lilith and various other territories, major officials of Factions we have allied with are also attending.
Notably, representing the Japanese mythology are the Youkais of Kyoto, led by Yasaka the Kyubi and her daughter, princess Kunou. From the Norse Faction, we have the Gods Odin, Thor, Sif, as well as a squad of Valkyries and a battalion of Einherjars behind them. All of them owns a debt to Vergil in some form or another, hence came to pay respect.
The "Rookie Four" is present, even Gremory Group plus Irina, Alex, Raynare-chan and Mittelt-chan, initially refused to attend, are also here, having been convinced by Sairaorg.
Heaven has the full alignment of the Yondai Archangels, as well as the are flying in the sky, with their pure white wings spread out majestically.
Yes, even Gabriel, who locked herself in her own isolated dimension for days, is present, as one of Vergil's only remaining family.
Nothing's sadder than seeing a mother attending her own child's funeral. I can't imagine how much courage she had to muster to come here tonight.
Speaking about family…
"…"
I stare blankly towards one of the higher buildings close to the park.
…
If you're going to attend, then attend it properly, you stupid child.
That was my thought as I saw Vali and his team hiding in the shades on the building's rooftop. He noticed my gaze for a second, before ignoring me completely.
Hmm, Vali maybe a troublesome kid, like Vergil… but at least, also like his brother, he's mostly honest, and not entirely heartless.
"These three days… can't be described with only the word "difficult". Nevertheless, we, the Yondai Maou, are grateful, for all of you willing to join us together here, in this ceremony."
Sirzechs, wearing a metallic black variant of his Lucifer garment, is speaking on a mobile collapsible stage. The other Maous, also in black are behind him.
Further behind them, lined a row of government officials, most are the old Devils that have been part of the Underworld since ancient times.
…
Huh…
How disgusting.
The smirk of the scums who were responsible for Vergil's tragic life.
I can already feel it simply by glancing through that row.
"More than 2 millennials ago, not only the Three Factions of the Holy Bible, but also other mythologies, were under the threat of Inferno, led by the Emperor of Darkness, Mundus, who sought to dominate all the realms. His efforts were thwarted by one man, the powerful devil who saw the beauty of the world we all share, hence sought to protect it. The Legendary Dark Knight, Sparda…"
Continuing the speech, Sirzechs quickly narrates the legendary battle of Sparda soloing Mundus and his legion.
The legacy of the father, left behind for all to remember for more than 2000 years… Only to be repeated on greater heights with his son.
"That threat once again rose in recent times, far greater than before, thanks to the lust for power of the recent, most ambitious king of Inferno, Urizen …"
For a few seconds after, the Crimson-haired Maou was hesitant to continue.
You can't really blame the guy. After all, his would-be brother-in-law… is no longer here with us.
"Sparda-sama's son, the Dark Angel, Vergil, sacrificed himself to put down that monster, allowed all of us to see the lights of today."
While he is speaking, many of the participating civilians were visibly saddened. Yet, many others made faces of doubt and contempt.
Funny, some ignorant idiots and extremists are actually participating. Even when they tried to hide, I can see through easily. At least a few of them must be under those rotten shits' payroll, no surprise in that.
Maybe we can make an investigation on them later on?
"His deeds from even before, were indeed the deeds of a hero… But his life, unbeknown to most… a tragic one"
Most of the audience lift their heads up in surprise as Sirzechs says that. Even some among the over-sensitive pricks followed with genuineness, leaving behind even more obvious suspects.
In that moment, all begin to hear the life story of the Son of Sparda, at least, almost all that we managed to unfold.
Of course, Sirzechs left out the part of Urizen's true identity, in order not to add more to the ongoing mess.
…
Heh… Vergil will definitely make a fuss if he even managed to eavesdrop the idea. After all, he doesn't care, even if no one understands him.
But today, we have to deny that thinking of his. In times like this, they, the people need a true hero to believe in, one who actually saved them without knowing or being asked. One that is both flawed and also had to paid prices like others.
"…With his sacrifice, he left behind grieving friends, comrades… and family. But most importantly, he left us a chance: a future for all. Let us cherish that last gift he gave us, and help make the grand world we shared a better place. Not just to us, but to our children, and their children after."
Having finished, Sirzechs signals the line of Devil soldiers on his far right, each carries a magic rifle that loosely resembles the M1 Garand used by the US Army.
At the same time, a line of ceremonial cannons, each operated by two soldiers, is situated behind us Fallen Angels.
Dividing our roles in the ceremony, while the Devil's side prepared the rifle squad, ours is the one with the cannon squad.
Such lineup… a grandiose military burial ceremony, one among many things we've learned and adapted from humans' culture.
BOOOOOOOM!
Aiming at the sky, the cannons fired, vibrating the atmosphere with the explosive booms. Sounds of metal colliding with the ground echoed as the cartridges were ejected.
"Such a grand salute… Delicate effort indeed, Azazel-boy."
As the cannons are firing in the designated sequence, a sudden voice sounded from behind. I turned around to see the familiar old man with long beard and a gold monocle on top of his left eye.
It's Odin.
"Yo, geezer, you seem to have made it.", I casually replied.
"Well, someone from us have to be here, one way or another. As a geezer who is encouraged by that young man, it's my responsibility to be here… to send him off."
"I see."
BOOOOM!
After exactly 21 blasts, the cannons have finished their job.
"Still, Azazel-boy, isn't this quite unfitting, when his body is gone?"
The geezer voiced out his doubts.
"Ready! Aim! Fire!"
BANG!
Followed the cannons, under the command of their captain, a salvo was fired by the rifle squad.
CLINK! CLINK!
Pulling the bolt, they ejected the empty cartridge, loading the next round.
BANG!
Another salvo was fired.
CLINK! CLINK!
BANG!
And another…
As the rifles continue to flush flares and lead, I briefly thought about Odin's question.
Yes… We make use of such ceremony… when there was no body to bury.
In all honesty, we have no idea how to honor him… except as a fallen warrior, a soldier.
But that idiot… he was more than that.
Despite his fearsome strength that even shook the gods in fear, he was, to many, a beacon of hope in a reality that survived through maintaining an outdated status quo.
That beacon shines at its' brightest in only two moments.
That night two years ago, when he destroyed the two tyrants…
And today… as a martyr to the people.
BANG!
With the final salvo fired, marked the end of the funeral.
"You know that things will be a lot harder from here on out, right?", said Odin.
"Maybe, but its' still much easier compare to the times we were separated."
Alliances have already been formed, even if it's just the beginning, we are working together instead of going against each other.
"No doubt that greater threats will arise every day. That's why we'll have to fight together, even more than we are right now."
The geezer nodded seriously.
"Indeed."
As I was pondering, I also thought that everyone should be going home now. Quite a number of people actually stand up and leave in an uncaring passion…
Yet… the vast majority stayed behind, including all those who were close to Vergil. Having heard his life story through Sirzechs' own reassuring words, most of them, with the exception of those who already knew, were remorseful and repentant, especially those who once resented him in life.
They, alongside the children, held back their tears as their held up their candles. The Gods and the Angels light up their sparks of Sacred Light. Many among the citizens come forth with flowers and gifts, which they placed around his new monument.
While the people are mourning in deep silence, at the same time, in a certain direction… shined a bright crimson light, with a decent tint of white.
Slowly emerging from the horizon in that direction… is a colossal sphere of flames.
Among the crazy phenomena created by Vergil, this has to be the most glorious one.
Yes…
The Underworld, once only have an artificial moon, made by the current Yondai Maou, to match the needs of familiarity of Reincarnated Devils that were once human… now has a sun, a giant crimson colored star, to light up our day…
The new sun of the Underworld, shines its' light upon the monument of our fallen hero.
A crude tomb, made mostly using the debris left behind in the aftermath of the final battle. Sirzechs had specifically ordered the site to not be soiled for obvious reasons, so constructing it like this was the only alternative.
Monoliths that carried names of deceased victims of the great battle two years ago, while somewhat damaged, remained mostly intact, and were placed around the memorial. The Diamond-shaped shield that contains Vergil's unique crest, the crest that bears similar to God, our creator, his grandfather: The Alpha and the Omega, was placed at the center, just beneath a particular object.
WUUUU…
The new sun's light was focus on that object the most, in response, it radiated a red glow… making the crest of the Welsh Dragon, Y Ddraig Goch.
It was there that night, confirmed his death for all to see. With just one gaze upon it, all who present became even sadder. The children were unable to hold their tears, started burrowing their heads in their parents and cried.
WUUUU…
Made by Vergil's mysterious new coat, seemingly torn off during the explosion and have tucked itself onto a warped metal rod later on, waving fluently at the top: A black, tattered flag that bears the crest of the Sekiryuutei… no, of the Oumaryuutei. Defying natural laws, the shadow it casted overlaps the towering constructs, covering a major section of the capital city.
That flag now serves as the peak of his tomb, forever flying along the wind. It will remind the people of his sacrifice. He will be remembered not only of what he had achieved, but also of the hard ship he went through to reach them, by the people who earnestly grateful of him.
"Sirzechs Lucifer's speech… Sparda had the same intention when he fought against evil for many centuries… Guess not just his students, his son also carried that on without realizing."
The Geezer continued as he looks upon the remorseful crowd of.
"Still, even though their intentions are genuine, and I can't deny that our recent collaboration efforts were fruitful. You should know, people's nature varied unpredictably. Together, they had already created a world where everyone and everything can co-exist is impossible."
…
That's true.
"Well… we all have our flaws. We fight, we destroy, we lied, we kill, we betrayed one another… so many sins that we have, and can commit. Men or Gods, Angels or Devils, none are exceptions."
The original Yondai Maou, Khaos Brigade, Kokabiel the idiot… they're all the same.
Odin smiled bitterly at my words. I must have reminded him of Loki. Yeah, that guy too.
But I wasn't finished yet.
"But we can rebuild, we can learn, atone, and then, do better."
Mistakes of the past is to be learnt, not repeat. We will be better, we have to.
"Confident as usual, aye, Azazel-boy."
"No… just learnt and being motivated, that's all."
Yeah… just learnt and being motivated, that's all…
…
Author's note 2: I figure that I go full "Superman's death" in this, since there aren't a lot of deaths that hit as deep. A little bad news though, due to issues with my personal life as stated at the beginning, as well as the upcoming chapters and volumes will be rather difficult to properly materialize, the update routine will be very inconsistent, I'll try my best to not make it over a month for each update, but no concrete promises can be made. Hope you understand, thank you.